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Carolina Hurricanes: Victory Over Minnesota, These Three Keys Will Bring

By Matthew Nidiffer

SAINT PAUL, MN - NOVEMBER 16: Warren Foegele #13 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Jordan Greenway #18 of the Minnesota Wild battle for the puck during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on November 16, 2019 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAINT PAUL, MN - NOVEMBER 16: Warren Foegele #13 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Jordan Greenway #18 of the Minnesota Wild battle for the puck during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on November 16, 2019 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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SAINT PAUL, MN – NOVEMBER 16: Jake Gardiner #51 of the Carolina Hurricanes defends Ryan Hartman #38 of the Minnesota Wild during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on November 16, 2019 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAINT PAUL, MN – NOVEMBER 16: Jake Gardiner #51 of the Carolina Hurricanes defends Ryan Hartman #38 of the Minnesota Wild during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on November 16, 2019 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images) /

1. Stay Out of the Penalty Box, You Must

The Carolina Hurricanes have a tendency to take penalties, almost always at the worst times. More than once this season, they have taken a bad penalty at pivotal moments in a game, or even taken penalties during their own powerplay, effectively killing their own man advantage.

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As of right now, the Carolina Hurricanes have the 6th best penalty kill in the league, averaging an even 85%. The Minnesota Wild are currently tied for the 9th best powerplay in the league (with the Carolina Hurricanes, funnily enough), at an even 20%.

The Wild have an effective and efficient powerplay, and if the Carolina Hurricanes take more penalties than necessary, the special teams could prove to be the difference-maker in tonight’s game.

If the Carolina Hurricanes can manage to stay out of the box, they’ll be giving themselves the best possible chance to walk away with yet another 2 points in the standings. Now let’s talk about goaltending, shall we?

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