Carolina Hurricanes: Keys to Second Straight Game vs. Bolts
(22) after his third period goal against the Chicago Blackhawks at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
This Defense is Elite
We already knew the Carolina Hurricanes were deep on the blue line, but what they’ve done to teams recently has been outstanding.
After a slow return from the COVID-19 list, Jaccob Slavin is back to being his best. He was fantastic against the Chicago Blackhawks last Friday, and you can see he has been getting his stride back. His excellence defensively allows for Dougie Hamilton to be a factor offensively. While he hasn’t been able to find the back of the net as regularly as he’d like, he is still a big problem jumping into the play, seen best with him hopping into the rush and hitting the post on Saturday night.
The real standout lately, though, has been young Jake Bean. I’ve raved about Bean and the potential he possesses in past articles, and he has been terrific since his reinsertion in the lineup. You can see the offensive intelligence he has on the ice and his ability to pick out passes. It makes for even harder lineup decisions for Rod Brind’Amour.
The New Guy gets his first with the #Canes, and how about the pass from Jake Bean? That's his fourth assist in as many games this week. pic.twitter.com/hpTAHNK2BG
— Michael Smith (@MichaelSmithNC) February 21, 2021
Not to mention how good Brett Pesce, Haydn Fleury (when in the lineup), and Jake Gardiner have played. Gardiner in particular, has been much better than his rocky first season in Carolina, Pesce continues to be incredibly underrated, and Fleury is fantastic defensively and provides physicality to the group.
I could go on and on about the Carolina Hurricanes’ defense, but there is just so much to like about how they’ve played. They are also doing this in front of a career #2 goaltender and a rookie goaltender. They’ve now shut out Tampa Bay twice this season, and their efforts will be needed again Monday.