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Carolina Hurricanes: Three keys to Finishing off Weekend with Win over Devils

By Omar Abdelgawad

RALEIGH, NC - APRIL 4: of the Carolina Hurricanes of the New Jersey Devils during an NHL game at PNC Arena on April 4, 2019, in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - APRIL 4: of the Carolina Hurricanes of the New Jersey Devils during an NHL game at PNC Arena on April 4, 2019, in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – APRIL 4: of the Carolina Hurricanes of the New Jersey Devils during an NHL game at PNC Arena on April 4, 2019, in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – APRIL 4: of the Carolina Hurricanes of the New Jersey Devils during an NHL game at PNC Arena on April 4, 2019, in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

1. Score First

This seems to be a recurring theme with keys to the game. There is a good reason for that. When the opposing team scores first the Carolina Hurricanes are 2-3-1. Compare that to when they score first at 7-0-0 including last night’s game. Simply put this team plays better with the lead early, no matter how brief they hold on to it.

There is probably a deeper psychology to it, but for tonight they just need to know that the sooner they can get a puck past the Jersey goaltending the easier the game will be. It seems that once the Carolina Hurricanes score once, another is soon right behind it.

Considering that MacKenzie Blackwood played the total 65 minutes and shootout period in yesterday’s game against the Flyers, the New Jersey Devils will more likely than not place Cory Schneider between the pipes. To say that Schneider is having a tough season, is an understatement of epic proportions.

In the five games that he has played in so far this season he has seen 144 shots and has allowed 22 goals. That’s only good for an 0.847 save percentage. The Carolina Hurricanes have the prime chance to stack up points and goals on back to back nights at home with him in net. They need to take full advantage of it early to set the tone for the game.

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