The Carolina Hurricanes won their second preseason game last night against Tampa Bay. The home crowd was rowdy and enjoying the return of hockey to Raleigh. Overall, the Hurricanes preformed very well, but there is still some work that needs to be done.
Last night the Carolina Hurricanes took a DNA test. Turns out they are 100% that team that got another shutout win.
Overall, the Hurricanes played very well. The goal-tending was superb as to be expected in a shutout win. Carolina out preformed Tampa in just about every category. From shots on goal, hits, to face off win percentage. The Canes only committed one penalty the entire game. A hooking penalty against Sebastian Aho. But even though the team preformed well, some work still needs to be done.
Let’s go ahead and address what needs to be worked on. Surprise surprise, it’s the power play. The Hurricanes went 0 for 4 last night on the power play. I know this is only preseason, but that was the biggest weakness for the team last year, and it really reared its ugly head during the playoffs. Now, I do trust that this will be something that is addressed in practice by head coach Rod Brind’amour. Expect to see improvements made over the rest of the preseason heading into the season opener at home against Montreal.
Not much happened during the first period, other than the home crowd being rowdy as usual. Both teams were unable to get the puck in the back of the net. The Carolina Hurricanes did have more shots on goal with 8 against the Bolts 5. The only penalty of the period came when Tampa’s Dominik Masin knocked the puck over the glass.
Things picked up in the second, however. Carolina scored their first of two goals of the night when center Steven Lorentz was able to get a wrist shot in with the help of Julien Gauthier and Gustav Forsling. This period also saw the Sebastian Aho hooking penalty mentioned earlier. As well as a dirty hooking penalty by Luke Schenn against Andrei Svechnikov which garnered massive boos from the crowd when the replay was shown on the jumbotron. Newcomer Erik Haula also left the game after a lower body injury that was not related to his knee. As of writing, he does appear to be fine and only left for precautionary reasons.
We're sorry if this awesome highlight gets you so pumped for hockey season that you can't fall asleep tonight pic.twitter.com/uWTIbKuLDi
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) September 19, 2019
The Carolina Hurricanes were able to continue the success of the previous period, and were able to extend their lead to 2-0 when Clark Bishop scored an unassisted goal. When the period was winding down, Tampa pulled their goalie. Which in turn lead to a, frankly, laughable sequence in which the Canes were unable to score on the empty net. Props to the Lightning’s defense on that, though. They were able to stifle the Hurricanes’ high octane offense late when they knew the game was almost over.
The three stars of the game were: Andrei Svechnikov with the third, Julien Gauthier with the second, and Clark Bishop with the first. All three preformed exceptionally well, espcially Gauthier. If he keeps that level of performance up, he could have a roster spot in the near future.
And per Sara Civian of The Athletic, we know what the Canes victory song from last night was.
The Canes have a few days before their next game which will be against the Washington Capitols on the 21st. I would expect to see power play being a point of contention at practice. As well as more details about Erik Haula’s potential injury coming out.
Question for CC readers: What was your biggest take away from last night’s game?