Carolina Hurricanes: Takeaways from Home Victory vs. Winnipeg Jets
The Carolina Hurricanes closed out their last game before the All Star break with a win over the Winnipeg Jets, 4-1 in regulation time. Here’s how the Canes stacked up to our keys to the game.
Last night’s game was a much-needed breath of fresh air compared the Carolina Hurricanes’ recent matchups.
For the first time since January 16th, the Canes scored more than 1 goal in regulation time.
Justin Williams has breathed new life into this team; not only did the Canes score multiple times in regulation, but they limited the Jets to only one goal, and there were even a few ‘fights’ in last night’s tilt.
The heart and passion shown by the Carolina Hurricanes on the whole last night is something that has been sorely missed this season, and I believe we have Justin Williams to thank for bringing it back.
Yesterday, our three keys to the game highlighted several points that needed to be addressed in order for the Canes to win. I believe they hit all of them except for one in some capacity. Let’s dive a bit deeper.
1. Did the Canes Let Hellebuyck Get Comfortable?
Nope. Connor Hellebuyck averaged a .862% save percentage last night, and saved 25 of 29 shots he faced.
Justin Williams specifically was a thorn in Hellebuyck’s side last night, as he netted two goals in just his second game back on the ice this season.
Justin Williams cannot stop scoring pic.twitter.com/pcoWngKeUe
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) January 22, 2020
The Carolina Hurricanes managed to solve Connor Hellebuyck not only early on, but often and consistently throughout the remainder of the game.
Hellebuyck was never able to get fully settled into his game last night, and I believe this was a huge reason for the Canes significant goal differential last night.
2. Did the Canes Score More than One Goal in Regulation?
Oh, yes. Absolutely, in the best way possible.
Not only did the Carolina Hurricanes collectively score more than one goal in regulation last night, but Justin Williams did it on his own. (Can you tell who my favorite player is?)
Williams’ impact on this team since coming back cannot be overstated. He is simply a game-changer, and nothing less.
Not to be forgotten, Martin Necas opened up the scoring for the Carolina Hurricanes, and Teuvo Teravainen netted a goal as well to bring the Canes’ regulation goal total to 4.
The Carolina Hurricanes have scored more than a single goal in regulation last night for the first time since January 16th; this kind of change is more than welcome, and I hope the Canes have finally kicked the trend of scoring a single goal in regulation for the rest of this season, at the very least.
3. Did the Canes Play Reimer?
Nope, but it didn’t really matter.
Petr Mrazek had an incredibly solid game last night, despite giving up the first goal of the game on the first shot he faced.
I am still a huge proponent of giving James Reimer the lion’s share of starts after the All Star break, but if Mrazek keeps playing the way he did last night against the Jets, the Carolina Hurricanes will be fine either way.
I know I’ve mentioned it already, but last night’s game really was a breath of fresh air. It was incredibly refreshing to see the Carolina Hurricanes playing with some heart and passion again. Hopefully this is the trend that continues on into the season and (hopefully) the postseason.
Final. 1. 107. 4. 109
Hot. Canes' Prospect Suzuki On Fire With New Team. light