Carolina Hurricanes: Takeaways from Shootout Win vs. Islanders
The Carolina Hurricanes successfully stopped their three-game skid with a 2-1 win over the New York Islanders last night in a shootout. Here’s how they stacked up to our keys to the game.
You couldn’t have scripted that game any better.
Justin Williams, in his first game back since temporarily stepping away from the game, scored the game winning goal in the shootout; James Reimer made a save against New York Islanders’ captain Anders Lee to secure the win, and Williams’ rightful spot as the savior of the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Carolina Hurricanes’ recent problems were still evident, but significantly less so last night, no doubt due to the added presence of Justin Williams on the bench and on the ice last night.
Last night was a rollercoaster of a game, but it was a pleasure to watch, through and through.
The Carolina Hurricanes hit every single key to the game I wrote about yesterday, to varying degrees of effectiveness, but nevertheless, each key was hit and the Carolina Hurricanes would go on to win the game in the shootout. Here’s how they stacked up to each key individually.
1. Did the Canes Get on the Board First?
Yes, they absolutely did.
This is a ‘two-fer’ of sorts. I’ve mentioned that superstars like Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov need to rediscover their scoring touch here lately.
Last night, Svech came through and scored what some have said is his ‘first goal from a slapshot’ in the NHL.
Whether or not that is true is irrelevant. Svech FINALLY got on the board, and in doing so, got the Carolina Hurricanes on the board first, a commodity that has seemingly been in short supply of late.
This goal would give the Canes the momentum they needed to weather the storm against the Islanders last night, and would carry them into the shootout dead even at 1 a side.
Paramount in maintaining that deadlock was James Reimer, who yet again played an incredibly solid game and snagged yet another first star of the game honor. Crazy what can happen when you score first and your goalie plays an incredible game.
2. Did the Canes Leave James Reimer Out to Dry?
Not consistently, no.
The one time they did, the Islanders scored. Erik Haula lost his box-out in front of the net and missed his assignment. This led to the puck being wide open in front of the net. Reimer tried to poke it away, but Anders Lee managed to knock it in past Reimer as he dove.
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Outside of that, Reimer did have to make more than a few miraculous saves to keep the Canes in this one, but the defensive corps managed to play much better in front of him last night than in previous games, especially on the penalty kill.
While we’re on the topic of James Reimer, I fully believe that he has earned the right to be the starting netminder for now. Petr Mrazek has been inconsistent lately, and Reimer has shown that he fully deserves the trust that the Canes coaching staff gave Curtis McElhinney last season.
Time to give Optimus Reim the reins and see where he takes us.
3. Daddy’s Home!
Justin Williams’ return last night was nothing short of triumphant.
Throughout the game, Williams managed to get 3 shots on goal, and 3 scoring chances. His puck possession skill hasn’t gone anywhere, and he played as if he hadn’t missed a beat.
In the shootout, Williams would score the game winning goal, as Reimer would make a save against Anders Lee to secure the win.
Justin Williams was never expected to score a ton of goals right away, but he did immediately make an impact on the team.
I fully believe that impact spurred the Carolina Hurricanes on to victory. The rest of this season is going to be insane.
106. 2. 109. Final/OT. 1
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