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Carolina Hurricanes: 3 Keys to Road Victory in Game 5 in Washington

By Tony Trotmann

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 13: Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) skates off the ice after scoring a game tying goal in the third period against the Washington Capitals on April 13, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 13: Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) skates off the ice after scoring a game tying goal in the third period against the Washington Capitals on April 13, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – APRIL 15: Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) reacts after a goal by Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton (19) during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC on April 15, 2019. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – APRIL 15: Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) reacts after a goal by Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton (19) during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC on April 15, 2019. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Continue Special Team Success

The Hurricanes have definitely improved on their penalty-kill against a dangerous power-play that has caused nightmares to most teams this season, killing off 10 penalties in the last 11 penalties in the last three games. They silenced the Capitals power-play in Game 2 and 3, and at times on the penalty-kill, they actually go on the attack and force the Capitals to play on their heels.

This Hurricanes team not only just clears the puck, they hold on to the puck as long as they can, killing every single second they can before throwing it away for a line change. Their line changes have been excellent, not allowing worse odds on odd-man rushes. They don’t back down, they hold their ground in the neutral zone and take away almost every passing lane.

Not only has the Hurricanes penalty-kill improved, but their power-play has seen three goals in their last 12 power-plays, which is not that good, but definitely an improvement from zero out of three in Game 1.

Although the Hurricanes power-play may not score at times, it does give momentum to the Hurricanes bench and the Hurricanes will exhaust the Capitals defense, if they continue their tape-to-tape passing and dangerous shots.

Although, the special teams have improved, it is not enough to be satisfied with, the Hurricanes will need to channel even more energy to finish this series. As the Hurricanes will celebrate improvement, the Capitals will be intensely making changes as well, shuffling lines and changing strategy. The Hurricanes will need to adapt to the situation, if the environment changes.

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