Carolina Hurricanes: Three Keys to Victory vs. Avalanche at Home

DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 19: Ryan Graves #27 of the Colorado Avalanche fights for the puck against Ryan Dzingel #18 of the Carolina Hurricanes in the third period at the Pepsi Center on December 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

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RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 25: Vincent Trocheck #16 of the Carolina Hurricanes in action against the Dallas Stars during a game at PNC Arena on February 25, 2020 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

2. New Guys Settled In

By now, newly acquired players Vincent Trocheck and Brady Skjei have had a bit more time (albeit probably not enough time) to fit into the new system and figure out where they belong in it and how best to contribute to it.

A couple practices in a new system is nowhere near enough time for new players to fully integrate themselves into a new system, but I have a feeling we’ll be seeing much more steady games from both new guys tonight.

Skjei made a single mistake against the Dallas Stars and was absolutely flying the rest of the night. Trocheck was solid the whole game, but you could tell he was new to the system.

Tonight’s game against the Avalanche could really be a coming-out party for one or both of them.

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