Carolina Hurricanes: Three Keys to Victory Against the Philadelphia Flyers
After dropping their last two games at the hands of the Washington Capitals and the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Carolina Hurricanes take on the Philadelphia Flyers as they aim to get their first win of 2020. Let’s take a look at three keys to achieving just that.
After disappointing results in the first two games of the new year, the Carolina Hurricanes need to get back on track as they now sit just one point ahead of the playoff line. With a loss against the Flyers, they could be on the outside looking in for the first time in a while, and that’s not something you want. Carolina currently holds the 1st Wild Card spot with 50 points.
As for the Flyers, they have had their own struggles as well. They’re winless in their last three games, and have given up 16 goals in that time frame. As they make their way into Raleigh, they’ll be looking to jump on the opportunity to pass Carolina in the standings, as they are just one point behind them. They currently sit outside of the playoff picture with 49 points.
These two teams have already played two games so far this season. The Flyers defeated the Hurricanes 4-1 on November 5th. Philadelphia took down the Hurricanes again on November 21st by the final score of 5-3. So far, the Flyers (Like most Metro teams) have had success against the Hurricanes, but that trend needs to change.
When you see a game like this, with two teams that are so close to each other in the standings, it creates an atmosphere that feels like a playoff game. Truly, this game will be one we could look back on in April as one of the few that defined the season, and whether or not we made the playoffs. Let’s take a look a three keys to securing a much needed two points and the first win of 2020.
Play a Full Sixty Minutes
Something that is key to any team’s success, playing a full 60 minutes is so important for securing two points. Giving the opposition any breathing room can be the difference between you winning the game and losing it. For the Hurricanes, they desperately need a full 60 minute effort against the Flyers.
We saw last week against the Capitals where the Hurricanes didn’t play very well, and it didn’t help that Ilya Samsonov was on his game. Carolina wouldn’t score a goal until 39 seconds into the third. The Hurricanes would score a few more, but it was too little, too late. While they would make it close, because of their inability to play a full 60 minutes, they couldn’t come back and lost 4-3.
The same could arguably be said for the last game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. A game that was largely controlled by Tampa the entire game, Carolina just failed to get anything generated. While there was a goal late in the third by Andrei Svechnikov, it was once again too little, too late.
The simple fact is, we need a full 60 minute effort in this one. As the Hurricanes have seen their cushion in the Wild Card slowly get eaten away, this game is incredibly important. If Carolina can manage to come out of the gate strong and establish their forecheck early, they can set themselves up for success. Stick to your game and don’t let up until the final buzzer.
Goaltending
As it is known all around the hockey world, goaltending is what can make or break your team. As the last line of defense, the goaltender is so important to a team. For the Hurricanes, we’ve seen a mixed bag of results when it comes to their two goaltenders, and it really calls into question as to who should be starting this game.
Petr Mrazek has been the one who has started the bulk of the games this season. Here recently, his numbers haven’t been very good. In four of his last five starts, his save percentage has been below .890, and that just isn’t good enough. It really presents the question if Brind’Amour should sit Mrazek for a few games and let him regroup, because Carolina needs him if they’re going to replicate last season’s success.
James Reimer has served as the backup for the Hurricanes for most of the season so far. The downside for Reimer is he’s very inconsistent but he can be streaky, and we’ve seen that this season. As Mrazek has struggled, Reimer may be getting a few starts and could very well start this game against Philadelphia.
Whether it’s Petr Mrazek or James Reimer in net, the Hurricanes need a strong outing from their goaltender. Going against a team that can score in bunches, and have shown that against Carolina this season, it’s on the goalie to take the game into his hands and have a solid game. Personally, I would start Reimer just to give Mrazek a day off.
Hurricanes’ Top Players Shine Over Philadelphia’s Best
As it is true in any sport, you need your top players to produce when it matters most. With how important this game is, that certainly applies here. Given how it was the Flyers’ top guys that outshined Carolina in the previous two games, the tide needs to be turned in this one.
Sebastian Aho is one I look at who could have a big night. He’s got 2 goals and an assist in his last five games. Teuvo Teravainen continues to produce on a consistent basis, so he’s always a safe bet to produce when it matters most; he has 1 goal and 3 assists in his last five games. Dougie Hamilton has to be better defensively, and it needs to start with this game. Jaccob Slavin will continue to be Jaccob Slavin.
When it comes to the Flyers, the Hurricanes will have to shut down their top guys if they hope to find success. Claude Giroux has been fantastic against Carolina this season, posting 3 goals and 3 assists in the two games. All-star Travis Konecny is one the Hurricanes will need to have in their sights as well, as he’s having a career season across the board.
As I mentioned above, the top players have to produce when it matters most. With both teams coming into this game struggling, it’s the big guys that can set the tone and dictate how this game will be played. As Carolina seeks to avoid dropping below the playoff line, it’s the stars of this team that can help get a much needed two points against Philadelphia.
Game Notes
- Svechnikov-Staal-Foegele
- Niederreiter-Aho-Teravainen
- Dzingel-Haula-Necas
- McGinn-Wallmark-Martinook
- Slavin-Hamilton
- Gardiner-Pesce
- Fleury-Edmundson
Potential Goalie Matchup:
Philadelphia Flyers:
Brian Elliott
2. 68. 3. 109. Prediction
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