Carolina Hurricanes: Takeaways from Decade-Closing Win vs. Montreal
The Carolina Hurricanes closed out the 2010’s with a win at home against the Montreal Canadiens. To kick off the roaring 20’s 2.0, let’s see how the Canes stacked up to our keys to the game last night.
The last thing the Carolina Hurricanes would do in 2019 (and the 2010’s as a whole) is win. What better opponent to close out the decade against than the Montreal Canadiens?
Last night’s matchup was far from a ‘game for the ages’, but it was still an entertaining tilt nonetheless. No, there were no lacrosse style goals, goals from goalies, or goals batted in off of someone’s face.
Last night was all about good ol’ regular hockey, but maybe that’s not such a bad thing. The Carolina Hurricanes have been flashy lately, but the core of their game has always been just that: good ol’ regular hard-hitting, fast-skating hockey.
The Carolina Hurricanes, in what seems like forever, managed to tick the box on just about every one of our keys to the game last night; one of them just a bit less than the others, but it was still ticked nonetheless. Let’s see how they stacked up to each key individually, eh?
1. Did the Canes Score Early?
So, technically, this key was ‘get a few past Montreal’s netminder early on’. While the Carolina Hurricanes really only scored a single goal early on, that goal ended up setting the tone for the rest of the game.
The Carolina Hurricanes were never behind in this game, albeit they were tied a few times; thanks to a timely challenge that pulled a Montreal Canadiens goal back due to goalie interference, and an even timelier (wow, didn’t think that was a word) goal, the Carolina Hurricanes managed to keep the Montreal Canadiens at bay for the remainder of last night’s tilt.
To their credit, the Canadiens were dealing with quite a few injuries and were already battling uphill due to not only their injuries, but also having lost their last two games and having Carey Price struggle in the crease lately. Being forced to lean on Charlie Lindgren isn’t a fun time, I’d imagine.
All this aside, the Carolina Hurricanes technically did score early, they just didn’t score multiple goals early on; I’ll give them a pass on this one. Now, for the next key involving Montreal’s ability to set up in their offensive zone.
2. Did the Canes Prevent the Habs from Setting Up in the Offensive Zone?
Yes, with flying colors. The Montreal Canadiens’ lone goal (well, the only one that counted, at least) came from a turnover in the Canes’ end; Max Domi stripped Teuvo Teravainen of the puck just to the left of Petr Mrazek. Domi walked the puck right in, and deftly snapped it past Mrazek to tie the game up in the 1st period.
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The fact that Domi’s goal would be the only goal the Montreal Canadiens would register on the scoreboard for the rest of the game is a testament to the Carolina Hurricanes’ defensive efforts.
Most of Montreal’s other opportunities came on the fly, via odd-man rushes, a few defensive missteps in the Canes’ offensive zone, or the odd interception/broken up play at center-ice.
If the Carolina Hurricanes continue to play defense like that, they should have no problem climbing the leaderboards in the Metropolitan Division to reclaim a Top 3 spot in the most competitive division in the NHL at the moment.
Now for the last key, which involves something the Carolina Hurricanes have seemingly struggled with this season.
3. Did the Canes Play a Full 60-Minute Game?
Ab. So. Lutley. The Carolina Hurricanes didn’t show an ounce of quit the entire game, despite gaining the lead in the first period, and again in the second period.
After Sebastian Aho netted the first goal, I was halfway prepared to watch one of two things happen: the Canes get another goal and then start to sit back, or the Canes start to sit back immediately after pulling ahead early on in last night’s matchup.
Neither of those things happened, despite Montreal’s best efforts. Even in the late 3rd period, when Montreal was pouring on the offensive pressure, the Carolina Hurricanes displayed some of the phenomenal ‘bend, but don’t break’ energy that they absolutely exuded last season.
Beating the Montreal Canadiens, who many fans feel are budding rivals, to close out the season couldn’t have worked out any better.
The Carolina Hurricanes have managed to get under the skin of a few ‘prominent’ teams and their fans; whether it be due to social media antics, scoring lacrosse-style goals, having fun celebrations after winning games on home ice, or just plain dunking on offer sheets or trades. This past decade was incredible, and 2019 in particular was a special one.
For the first time in a long time, I think I can comfortably say that this decade we just entered will be a better one for the franchise than the one we just left.
109. Final. 1. 152. 3
light. Hot. Predictions for 2020
Question for CC Readers: What do you look forward to most about the Roaring 20’s pt. 2?