Carolina Hurricanes: Three Keys to Victory In Vegas

The Carolina Hurricanes head to Vegas tonight to take on the Golden Knights for the second and final time this season. Here’s how the boys in white can escape Sin City with a win.

The Carolina Hurricanes lost to Vegas the last time these two teams played; a 4-3 heartbreaker a little over a week ago on 1/31.

Since then, the Canes have won 2 of the 3 games they’ve played – a 4-3 shootout thriller over the Vancouver Canucks, and a 5-3 routing of the Arizona Coyotes. The one game the Carolina Hurricanes lost in that timespan was an embarrassing 6-3 blowout at the hands of the defending Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues.

The Vegas Golden Knights have won 2 of their last 3 games since playing the Canes as well. The first, a 3-0 shutout over the Nashville Predators on 2/1, and most recently a 7-2 demolishing of the Florida Panthers. Vegas’ lone loss came against the Tampa Bay Lightning by a margin of 4-2 on 2/4.

The Carolina Hurricanes continue on this road trip without alternate captain Jordan Martinook who ‘did something to his back’ last week, according to Rod Brind’amour.

The Carolina Hurricanes need to win consistently at this point in the season. With 28 games left in the season and the Metropolitan Division remaining as tight and competitive as ever, every game from here on out is a must-win. Here’s how the Canes can tie the season series against Vegas and snatch a couple points in the standings.

1. First Line Svech

Rod FINALLY did it!

Andrei Svechnikov was moved to a line with Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen midway through the game against the Arizona Coyotes.

How did it work out, you ask? Both Svech and Aho nearly got hat-tricks. Svech walked away with 2 goals and an assist, as did Aho. Teuvo registered an assist, and all was right with the world.

This line combination is easily the most lethal in the NHL, and should be stuck together like glue until production falters. Many of you may say this takes away our depth, but it absolutely does not.

Ryan Dzingel, Martin Necas, and Erik Haula are still solid guys down the lineup. Brock McGinn, Warren Foegele, and Justin Williams are as well. Nino Niederreiter is underperforming (understatement of the century), but if he comes around, our depth is that much more solid. To this take, I say let us enjoy this while it lasts, naysayer.

I (and several others) have been saying it all season, and Rod finally gave it to us, the madlad.

It only took 54 games. Better late than never, eh?

2. Prevent Persistent Powerplay Problems

The Carolina Hurricanes have plodded through plenty of poor powerplay opportunities presently. Perhaps the powerplay is pained by the privation of a prolific point-getting presence on the blueline? The possibility of a player swap may be presently within the Don’s purview. Until then, the Carolina Hurricanes must persist.

Enough with the alliteration, I know.

In any case, the Carolina Hurricanes’ powerplay looks good. It just doesn’t produce, for whatever reason. Whether it be one too many passes, the fact that Jordan “Stonehands” Staal is (for some ungodly reason) given time on one of the two powerplay units, or just sheer unluckiness, the Canes need to figure the powerplay out and fast.

Special teams is a huge part of clutch win-or-lose scenario, especially in the latter half of the season heading into the playoffs.

The sooner they figure out how to score with more men on the ice than the other team, the better.

3. Start James Reimer

Ok, I’m not going to say ‘I told you so’ to the previous James Reimer doubters out there, but I told you so.

Petr Mrazek has had a rough couple of games lately, not all of which are directly his fault, but enough of them are his blame to carry to warrant me suggesting he take a break for awhile until he can rediscover his fire.

James Reimer, on the other hand, has been exactly what the Carolina Hurricanes have needed lately. Clutch, consistent, and successful.

I have been saying since the beginning of the season that James Reimer had plenty left in the tank, and boy is he really hitting his groove. At this point, our best hope to beat the Vegas Golden Knights tonight lies in the ever-so-brilliant catchglove of Optimus Reim.

Roddy, if you’re reading this, please give Reim the start tonight. I promise you won’t regret it. Also, if you forgot about my first (and most important) key, keep Svech on the Aho/TT line. Thanks.