Carolina Hurricanes: Three keys to a W in the Windy city
By Conor Power
![COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 23: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on October 23, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 23: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on October 23, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/bc13dc80943718147a2b724f16649af5290872004b3b3390c98f8db62d6515e6.jpg)
Defensive stability
Chicago is a team in the NHL with a lot of speed and skill among its forward unit. While it has been underperforming as a team, it’s not been for the lack of talent. When a team boasts 2 40 goal scorers, you know that trying to contain them is going to be very difficult and this is where Carolina’s defensive units will need to be up to the task.
With the team looking to shut down arguably the best American-born player of all time, it’s not going to be easy. On the road, against the crowd, and with the opponents having last change, this is going to be a somewhat daunting task, but it’s going to be a very big test for the rebuilt Carolina back-end. With the Canes facing one of their most dangerous opponents of the season tonight in terms of scoring.
All six defensemen (or 7 if that’s what the team opts for) are going to have to be at their best in order to hold the Chicago top six at bay. With that in mind, we know that the Carolina Hurricanes system allows them to have extra defensive stability with wingers dropping back to the circles with the center following the extra threat. It’s a good system, but they need to keep it up to beat Chicago.
With the Carolina Hurricanes looking to improve to 9-0-0 with a win in Chicago, the need for a strong defensive performance cannot be understated. We know that the Carolina team can certainly load up defensively. We know that the Carolina Hurricanes are capable of a strong defensive performance.