Carolina Hurricanes: Keys to Game 2 vs. Nashville
The Carolina Hurricanes host the Nashville Predators for Game 2 of the 2020-21 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs tonight at the PNC Arena after taking Game 1 in a decisive 5-2 victory. Game 2 will be the last Canes’ home playoff game until Game 5 (if needed) on 5/25.
Game 1 was interesting to say the least, but the Canes came out the other side the better team, as they usually do against the Nashville Predators.
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Jordan Staal was selected as the game’s First Star, and rightfully so. The Captain snagged two goals to help secure the victory for the Canes Monday night. I’m not entirely sure where Staal’s torrid offensive production tear has come from, but it has definitely carried over from the regular season.
Alex Nedeljkovic stood tall in Game 1 as well, becoming the first rookie goaltender in Carolina Hurricanes’ and Hartford Whalers’ history to win their NHL Playoffs debut. Ned stopped 22 of 24 shots, but can’t be blamed for the two that went in – one off the back of Jani Hakanpaa, and the other as a result of Filip Forsberg blowing right past the Canes’ defensemen and in on Ned alone.
Tonight’s game should look similar to Monday night’s game, at least from the Canes’ perspective; Alex Nedeljkovic gets the start and there are no other lineup changes to note. Even still, there are a few things the Carolina Hurricanes should to tonight to tighten up their game before heading to Nashville for what should (hopefully) be the last two games of the series.