Carolina Hurricanes: Three Takeaways from Game Two

The Carolina Hurricanes took a commanding 2-0 series lead in a hard-fought game yesterday afternoon in Brooklyn. We take a look at some things that  game two told us.

The Hurricanes won their fourth straight game in the playoffs yesterday, dating back to game six of the Washington series. They are finding their stride and doing what it takes to pull out wins, which is what it takes to be successful this time of year in the NHL. Both teams are playing a similar style of gritty hockey and the first two games have been a grind.

The magnitude of stealing two games on the road in the Stanley Cup Playoffs cannot be understated. This is especially true being that the Hurricanes are headed back to an extremely loud and anxious crowd back in Raleigh, where they are 3-0 in the postseason.

The storyline to most fans yesterday was the continuation of the injury bug rolling on through the Carolina Hurricanes’ roster. It is so unfortunate but it just has become all too common. There is no doubt that the Hurricanes will continue to buy into the ‘next man up’ concept that has been preached throughout.

This being said, some things Caniacs can learn from game two is not to panic if Petr Mrazek is not available, and you have to be lucky to be good, but good to be lucky, and the Canes need to get some more offense going,

Gotta be Good to be Lucky

I don’t think there is any doubt amongst Canes fans that watched yesterday’s contest that the Hurricanes a bit of luck on their side in the final moments of the game. The Isles were pushing hard and rattled a few pucks off the crossbars and posts that sat behind McElhinney.

Am I saying that is ht only reason the Canes pulled out the victory? Not at all. The old saying goes “gotta be good to be lucky, but lucky to be good”, and the Canes were both yesterday.

In order for luck to be on your side, you have to put yourself in the position to win the game in the first place. Obviously, the Hurricanes did just that. They played a very gritty and patient game all game long, only surrendering one goal, which took an unfortunate bounce off the stick of Jaccob Slavin.

This sort of play kept them around until the early third period where they scored two goals within 48 seconds of each other, by way of a Warren Foegele snipe and a Nino Niederreiter deflection, his first goal of the playoffs.

So, that being said the Canes were good enough to have luck on their side in the form of the posts by way of their all-around gutsy team performance throughout the game.

One can only think that the Isles are frustrated at this point, as their only goal of the series was that aforementioned deflection off of Slavin’s stick. They will come out very hungry, as they have no choice being down 2-0 in the series and heading to a very rowdy crowd back in Raleigh.

https://twitter.com/NHLCanes/status/1122614762670632962

The Islanders have to be feeling a burning sense of urgency at this point. Dropping two games at home and having to head to Raleigh with the threat of being swept cannot be very comforting. I still believe there is work to be done for the Canes if they want to continue their success.

This brings us to the next point that the Hurricanes have to find their offense, and they might just get that extra boost they need to do so.

Offense Has to get going

The Hurricanes have scored three total goals in a very defensive series that is also showcasing some stellar goaltending play on both sides. Vezina trophy finalist Robin Lehner has been as advertised combined with the conservative and very meticulous play of the Islanders, the Canes are having some trouble opening up the game offensively.

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Obviously, it has worked out in favor of the Hurricanes as they have been able to stay patient . But, for anybody that has been watching, it is obvious that the Canes have to find a way to break through and get some scoring going.

They just might get a boost in this aspect of the game as there is much speculation that it is likely Jordan Martinook will be back AND the long-awaited return of rookie sensation Andrei Svechnikov may also be likely.

I like to think if this is the case, the team will rally around the return these two (and the incredible energy in PNC) and really get back to their relentless fore-check and start to find some more twine. That will put more pressure on the Isle.

Already down 2-0 with having scored only one goal, I would look for the Islanders to try to play a different style of hockey for the remaining series.

This may open up some chances for the Hurricanes that were previously not presented. If the Canes are able to get their offense rolling again while continuing to get impeccable goaltending and defensive play, the sky is the limit.

In the meantime, let’s hope for speedy recoveries for all of the players that have these injuries going on. The ‘next man up’ attitude will continue to be relevant and I have no reason to believe the Canes will stop answering the call. Speedy recoveries to all and GO Canes!