Carolina Hurricanes: Three Takeaways from a Crazy Win Over Detroit
The Carolina Hurricanes proved to be too much for the Detroit Red Wings after back and forth play in what may be the craziest game of the season so far.
In the third game in their four game home stand, the Carolina Hurricanes powered past the Detroit Red Wings 7-3 to extend their win streak to three games and give them 19 points towards the standings. That’s good enough to sit second in the Metro Division and fourth in the league overall to start November.
The Hurricanes scored four times in the second period to go from a 1-1 tie to a commanding 5-3 leading enter the third period, where they scored two more time while frustrating the Red Wings offense.
There is a lot to unload from this game. Any game with TEN goals in it would. You would think that a high scoring game like that would come with a high shot rate. Not so, a total of 60 SOG between the two teams and somehow Petr Mrazek escaped with an above 0.900 sv%.
A strong effort led to a big win 💪 pic.twitter.com/1vo7wrWpBM
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) November 2, 2019
Petr Mrazek was once again stellar at home where he has not lost in his last 15 starts. His 29 save performance was filled with some spectacular saves. His best save of the game was almost capped off with a goal. After a great save by Mrazek, the Hurricanes developed a 2 on 1 counter attack with Warren Foegele scoring only to be determined offside upon a coaches challenge.
This game was action filled from the moment the puck was dropped. There are some many memorable moment that a top 10 list would feel more suitable, but I will try. Here are my three takeaways from the Hurricanes win over Detroit.
1. That Game Was Insane
To all the 15,383 who attended this matchup at PNC Arena, you got your money’s worth. This game had almost everything a hockey fan would want. Goals, fast play, great saves, and even more goals. 5v5 goal? Check. 5v4 powerplay goal? Check. 4v4 goal? Check. 4v5 shorthanded goal? Check. 5v6 empty netter? Check. What a game.
It all started with Andrei Svechnikov in the first period scoring on a fluke pass from Jacob Slavin at the 7:15 mark to earn the lead for the Carolina Hurricanes. A lead that the Hurricanes would never have to give up. But the Red Wings didn’t go away quietly. With 3:08 left in the period Anthony Mantha scored to tie the game heading into the first intermission.
The Red Wings would never come any closer.
The second period is where the craziness of this game really came into play. With six goals, three video reviews that led to one goal given and one goal taken away much to the dismay of Warren Foegele, who was looking to get his first of the season and a couple of great saves from Petr Mrazek.
Twice in this period two goals were scored less than 90 seconds apart. First, Sebastian Aho and Nino Niederreiter to extend their lead to 3-1. Then just 26 seconds after Anthony Mantha gets his second of the game at the 8:02 mark, Martin Necas netted his third of the year to keep the pressure coming onto Detroit.
Well that was a fun period pic.twitter.com/LphOqn8PSj
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) November 2, 2019
We, the caniacs, are somewhat accustomed to these kinds of games. However when I wrote my three keys articles, I didn’t expect anything like the game we saw, but I will never say I didn’t enjoy the ride.
2. The Canes Are Sharing the Love
One of the biggest problems that the Carolina Hurricanes faced, not only last season but in years past is the lack of goal production from more than just two or three players. That doesn’t seem to be the case this season, especially in this game as the goal scoring spree included six different players last night.
And that's the final. #Canes fly past the Red Wings, 7-3. Twelve different skaters record a point. Aho, Hamilton and Slavin each with three points.
— Michael Smith (@MichaelSmithNC) November 2, 2019
The only player to scored two goals for the Hurricanes was Sebastian Aho who scored in the second period twice at 0:27 and 11:03. After Aho, you had the still red-hot Andrei Svechnikov, who has five goals in three games, four of which came in a row, Teavo Teravainen, who picked up his third on an empty net, and Nino Niederreiter, who scored thanks to commitment on the power play.
All those players had goal production last season, but in the matchup with Detroit new offensive weapons were showcased. Rookie Martin Necas went bar down for the prettiest goal of the game off a perfect pass from Ryan Dzingel. Then in the 3rd period, the sniper Brock McGinn rocketed home a wrister for not only his first goal of the season but a shorthanded goal no less.
With other weapons like Dougie Hamilton, Warren Foegele, Erik Haula, and Jordan Staal, the offense for the Carolina Hurricanes is now a four-lined attack that can strike at any moment. Exactly what Rod Brind’Amore wants from his team. The rest of the league is absolutely taking notice.
3. The Canes Are Like a Brick Wall in the Third Period
Remember back when the Carolina Hurricanes came from behind to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning in overtime? Well one of the biggest things that came out of that game was how well the Hurricanes defense shut down the previous presidents trophy winners. The Lightning only registered two shots for the entire third period and the overtime.
This game’s performance on defense was not quite as spectacular, but it showed just how consistently good this defensive core for the Carolina Hurricanes can be. Lets take this fact into account, the Hurricanes have only given up four goals in the third period all season. Adding on the one OT goal allowed, they have only allowed five goals after the first 40 minutes. Wild.
Not only are the defense and goalies doing a great job at shutting down any offensive attack, they then turn up ice and score on the other end. Dougie Hamilton ended the night with four points on assists. Jaccob Slavin ended the night with three. Both Trevor van Riemsdyk and Jake Gardiner earned themselves a point. That is NINE (!!) points from the Defensive core.
Jaccob Slavin has registered three assists tonight to become the 11th defenseman in franchise history with 100 career Hurricanes assists.
— Hurricanes PR (@CanesPR) November 2, 2019
There’s a reason that many hockey pundits around the NHL have called Carolina’s defense the best in the league and it is showing right now. Lets see just how much better it can get when April comes around.
Next Up: New Jersey Devils
Question for the CC Readers: Who is the best defensive pairing in your eyes?
dark. Next. Unanswered Questions After October