Carolina Hurricanes: Keys to First of Two-Game Slate against Nashville
After a tough loss to the Detroit Red Wings, the Carolina Hurricanes look to respond against the Nashville Predators on Monday night at Bridgestone Arena.
Vincent Trocheck and Andrei Svechnikov netted goals in the third period of the final game against the Red Wings, but it was not enough as Robby Fabbri‘s goal late in the third propelled the Wings to their first win of the season. The Canes reached some milestones with Svechnikov accumulating his 100th point of his career, and Dougie Hamilton reaching the 300 assist plateau.
The power play was lackluster for the most part, besides Trocheck’s tally in the third period. The Hurricanes also struggled in the face-off circle, highlighting the significance of Jordan Staal‘s absence. Overall, they lacked the energy to compete with a motivated Detroit team and appeared to be chasing the whole game.
The Nashville Predators are coming off of winning their first two games of the season against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Forward Filip Forsberg has two goals in two games and continues to be their most dangerous player. The Carolina Hurricanes will look to limit his chances and shut down the Predators in all facets of the game.
Here are my keys to Monday’s night tilt:
Hot Start for Svech
We already know the potential for Andrei Svechnikov is astronomical. Last season, Svech’s play gave us hints of a budding superstar before our eyes. And through two games, the young Russian has proven he will continue to be a problem for opposing teams.
Andrei has two goals in two games to start the season, and was the main catalyst for the Carolina Hurricanes in the third period of their recent loss. He showed off his quick release on Vincent Trocheck‘s deflected goal, but also displayed his power in front of the net, scrapping for the tying goal to make it 2-2. In what was a lethargic game for Carolina, it could be argued Svechnikov was the Canes’ best player. It has taken just three years for him to reach 100 points.
As Michael Jordan said famously, “The ceiling is the roof.”
He is taking charge as a leader of this team as well. After the loss to Detroit, he said:
Andrei Svechnikov: "It’s all about mindset. It was a tough start for us. We came out and weren’t ready at all.”
— Michael Smith (@MichaelSmithNC) January 17, 2021
It is good to see him acknowledging for the rest of the team it wasn’t good enough.
He has not been playing on the top line, but continues to be effective regardless who he plays with. The Canes will need him to consistently put the puck in the net and produce and thus far, he’s done just that. Every two-game segment is important this season, and Andrei Svechnikov will be one of the main guys to push Carolina forward.
Keeping the Power Play Consistent
To have sustained success, the Carolina Hurricanes need to be great in special teams like they were last season. The kill has been excellent, but we’d like more from the power play.
Through two games, the Canes have netted one power play goal in each game via Ryan Dzingel and Vincent Trocheck. However, it hasn’t been for a lack of chances.
The Hurricanes were a respectable 1-for-3 on the PP on opening night, but just 1-for-5 in their second game. Had it not been for that Trocheck goal, we would have concerns about the power play against a young, inexperienced team.
https://twitter.com/Canes/status/1350625453728530438?s=20
The Red Wings were dead last in the NHL in penalty kill percentage last season and Carolina did not take great advantage of that. The movement in the zone has not been super crisp with the man advantage, resulting in many restarts. This will be an area they hope they can clean up. It won’t be any easier creating lots of chances against Nashville who, similar to Carolina, has yet to surrender a power play goal this season.
When watching a team like the Colorado Avalanche and the lethal nature of their power play, it is easy to want the same out of your team. I mean, they went 5-for-7 on the St. Louis Blues the other night which is just preposterous, but that production is needed to win important divisional games. Expectations continue to rise for the Canes, and special teams will be a major focal point.
First Start of Season for Reimer?
It appears likely that James Reimer will be in the crease for the first time this season on Monday night.
Reimer is coming off a successful first season with the Carolina Hurricanes, totaling 14 wins, 6 regulation losses, and 2 losses that needed extra time. After a couple of years of Scott Darling and then a sterling year from Curtis McIlhenney, the backup role had some uncertainty with Reimer.
But he stepped up to the challenge. There were stretches last year where James was the best goalie on the team, particularly at times in the postseason with some sensational performances against the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins.
That’s a paddlin’ pic.twitter.com/tvdq4saTJP
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) August 5, 2020
After a solid first game and average second game from Petr Mrazek, it is time for James to make his first appearance of the season. He will be expected to pick up where he left off last season and give a big performance on the road in the “Music City”. Outer critics may argue goaltending is the Canes’ weak spot, but I would say Mrazek and Reimer’s production together is actually one of their strengths.
Final Notes
- Time: 8:00 pm EST
- Location: Bridgestone Arena (Nashville, TN)
- TV: Fox Sports Carolinas
- Radio: 99.9 The Fan
- Uniform: White Aways
Expected Lines:
Niederreiter-Aho-Teravainen
Foegele-Trocheck-Necas
Svechnikov-Martinook-Fast
Dzingel-Geekie-McGinn
Slavin-Hamilton
Skjei-Pesce
Gardiner-Fleury
Reimer
Mrazek
Potential Goalie Matchup:
Canes: Reimer
Predators: Rinne
https://twitter.com/Canes/status/1351174482841448450
Final Score Prediction
109. 2. 151. Prediction. 3
I think the Canes get two points right back in the first of two in Nashville. It’ll be a tight-checking game with two teams who feature excellent defenses. I think the Canes edge out the Predators 3-2. Special teams will play a big role tonight.
Question for CC Readers: How will the Carolina Hurricanes fare tonight against the Nashville Predators?
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