Carolina Hurricanes: Three keys to beating Maple Leafs
After starting 4-0-0, the Carolina Hurricanes host the Toronto Maple Leafs for the first time since the David Ayres game, Why is it the first time since the Ayres game? Well, about a week after that game, the world shut down! Isn’t that fun? But I don’t think it’s possible to talk about Carolina and Toronto without mentioning Ayres at least once.
Toronto has had quite a slow start to the season coming into this game with a 2-3-1 record. Coming off an embarrassing 7-1 loss to the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins dressed as the Pittsburgh Penguins, it’s a good time to be playing a team that might be down in the dumps mentally. We all know that’s their biggest problem right now.
We have all seen All or Nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs and we all got an inside look at this organization. We know that this opponent is inside its own head right now trying to shoulder all the pressure it is under at this point in time. Knowing that they have a lot to work on, some of the top players are not playing as well as advertised, and that defense has regressed to the stone age.
If the Carolina Hurricanes want to continue to be an unbeaten team in the NHL, as only 4 remain (one from each division, poetically enough) they will need to triumph tonight and that is not a given against a team loaded with talent like the Maple Leafs. With a netminder expected to play against his old team, let’s dive into how Carolina can win tonight.
Here’s Freddie
For the first time since facing his old team, Frederik Andersen is set to make his first start against his former team. As one of the most stable players on the roster, Andersen’s ability to make big saves at crucial moments has become a hallmark of the Carolina Hurricanes netminding through the early part of the 2021-22 season.
Andersen’s big saves and skill have really stolen Carolina points this season that they did not deserve to win. He’ll never get the same headlines as the star forwards on the roster, but he’s been nothing short of fantastic through the early part of the season. While I can talk about Andersen’s start to the season forever, there’s something bigger at play.
Andersen will face his old team for the first time since coming to Carolina as a free agent this summer. A vital performance from Andersen will be the difference between the Carolina Hurricanes escaping Toronto with 2 points and nothing. Toronto is talented, and showing the organization that let him go to be wrong provides a great storyline for tonight.
Andersen’s great performances in the recent games have sparked a lot of optimism around the Carolina Hurricanes fanbase. With that in mind, we know that Frederik Andersen has a lot of skill, but he also has a rich history of injuries and that’s not good. We know Andersen will be a vital part of this team if they’re going to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Strike from the depth
With the Toronto Maple Leafs, you always know what to expect. They have arguably the best one-two center punch in the entire world. Their top two right-wingers are up there with the best on any team in the world. They have the top-end talent to compete in any game. What they lack is the bottom-end production outside of a player who seems to have turned the clock back 15 years playing 10 minutes a night.
Carolina’s depth will need to be alert and working hard all night long to ensure the two points tonight. They will need to be the difference in this game, as we’re all expecting to see the third line put with the reigning Rocket Richard winner and four players with a cap hit that makes up almost 40% of the Toronto Maple Leafs space.
Depth pieces are going to be essential in this game. Whether it is the third pairing being able to provide some more resting time on the bench, or if it’s a big goal from the bottom line to win the game, the depth is going to have to be a big part of this game if the Carolina Hurricanes aspire to win this game.
It’s a difficult game, but there are no easy games in this league. Toronto promises to be formidable, and will certainly be one of the toughest teams that the Carolina Hurricanes have played to this point in the season, but they’re in a rut. They will be desperate for the 2 points tonight. With that, the Canes need to drive the knife through this opponent to ensure that they are victorious.
Rod’s coaching
Carolina will be at home for only the second time this season and they will have the last chance. This is where coaches make their money. Getting the match-ups that the Canes view as favorable is going to be half the game. Carolina’s lineup is strong enough to beat Toronto, but the team needs to be deployed in the right fashion.
Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’amour has been putting the lines through the blender recently and trying to get the best combinations for each opposing line is where Rod is going to be challenged. His team has the talent to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs. They did it with a Zamboni driver last time they played. It’s no secret the Canes are the more talented team.
With the Carolina Hurricanes having superior talent, it’s going to be important for the team to have some great coaching. This is the kind of game that Rod has struggled with in the past. He needs to make sure he gets the big decisions right. It’s going to be a tight affair if the Canes cannot master their changes. With that in mind, we have come to the end of our keys to the game!
Carolina plays Toronto tonight in a game that could be vital when we get to the end of the season. With the Hurricanes needing two points, we know that this game should be very entertaining. Talent and hard work against the team from the Mecca of hockey. We will see a lot of action tonight, with Tripp Tracy and Mike Maniscalco, but as for now… LET’S GO CANES!
Question for Cardiac Cane readers: What will the final score be?
dark. Next.