Carolina Hurricanes: 3 Takeaways From Shutout Win vs Kings

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RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 11: James Reimer #47 of the Carolina Hurricanes goes down in the crease to make a save during an NHL game against the Los Angeles Kings on January 11, 2020 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

1. James Reimer’s Masterful Performance

James Reimer’s performance was the story of the game. He is the sole reason why the Hurricanes were able to walk out of this game with a victory. And boy did Reimer need this game to help boost his confidence moving forward because things haven’t looked great for him in his last three appearances.

In this contest, Reimer had a 41 save shutout where he was needed pretty much since the second period on. He had a big save right before the first intermission to help keep the game at 1-0. Austin Wagner had a shot to build momentum for the Kings going into the locker room, but Reimer was having none of it.

Reimer didn’t just stop there in terms of big saves. A board battle eventually won by the Kings found the puck going to Alec Martinez at the point. There he found Adrian Kempe all alone out in front where Reimer was able to shut down the chance. The second period is when the Kings really started to ramp up pressure on the Hurricanes, but that didn’t stop a struggling Reimer from denying everything thrown his was.

His most impressive save of the night came in the third period in an empty net situation. A puck was shot from Drew Doughty and deflected in on Reimer by Alex Iafallo and Reimer was able to close the pads on the chance. He appeared hurt on this save but was able to continue for the final seconds of the game. He stood on his head tonight and the Hurricanes really needed that tonight.

And just as much as the Hurricanes needed the efforts of Reimer tonight, he needed a game like this for himself. As mentioned before, Reimer had not looked good at all lately even in a win against the Flyers. He was coming into the Kings games stopping 40 of 52 shots in his previous three appearances.

https://twitter.com/CanesOnFSCR/status/1216154814415101952

People were questioning, including myself, if the Hurricanes needed to make a change to their goalie tandem. But the way Reimer and Petr Mrazek played the last two games gives the fans hope that good things are coming. Let’s hope this game is a starting point to a turnaround in net. The Reimer chants at the end of the game were spectacular by the way.

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