2. 4th Line Keep Rolling
The Carolina Hurricanes’ 4th line was a huge part in keeping up with the physicality of the Nashville Predators Monday night.
The Preds know how the Canes play by now, and tried their best to overcome it with raw physicality in Game 1. Jordan Martinook, Steven Lorentz, and Brock McGinn matched that physicality hit for hit.
One could argue that it was directly because of the 4th line that the rest of the Carolina Hurricanes’ squad had the time and room they needed to create and capitalize on the chances they got in the 3rd period to snag the win.
There aren’t many things that can deter the Canes from winning at this point, especially if the 4th line keeps rolling on the way it did Monday night. Expect to see some big hits from the usual suspects, Hakanpaa included (even though he isn’t on the Canes’ 4th forward line).