Cardiac Cane
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Carolina Hurricanes: Three Keys To Success in Beantown

By Matthew Nidiffer

RALEIGH, NC - MAY 16: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks to gain control of a puck along the boards at Charlie McAvoy #73 of the Boston Bruins defends in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Third Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 16, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - MAY 16: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks to gain control of a puck along the boards at Charlie McAvoy #73 of the Boston Bruins defends in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Third Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 16, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 27: Jake Gardiner #51 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on November 27, 2019 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Hurricanes 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 27: Jake Gardiner #51 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on November 27, 2019 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Hurricanes 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

2. Tighten Up Defensively

The Carolina Hurricanes’ defense has been a rollercoaster so far this season. From Dougie Hamilton‘s offensive prowess, to the revolving door that has been the Canes’ third defensive pairing, things have been interesting to say the least.

Some nights, the Carolina Hurricanes look to be absolutely unstoppable in their own zone; other nights, it seems like everyone on the opposition could just walk right past them.

Tonight, every member of the Canes’ defensive corps needs to step up and play lights-out defense in their own zone. Backchecking needs to be on point, defensemen like Edmundson and Gardiner need to limit the amount of times they attempt to pinch up-ice, and 2-on-1 chances coming into their own zone need to be mitigated as much as possible.

As of the writing of this article, no starting goaltender has been announced, but (if you ask me), James Reimer should be the clear-cut choice, especially after his sparkling performance against the Tampa Bay Lightning this past weekend.

Reimer bailed the Hurricanes out countless times during that game, and will more than likely be required to do the same tonight if he is, indeed, named the starter in Boston. The Canes’ defense needs to rise to the occasion and help him out, from start to finish. Speaking of start to finish…

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