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Carolina Hurricanes: Three keys to winning Matinee in LA

By Conor Power

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 18: Seth Jarvis #24 of the Carolina Hurricanes is congratulated at the bench after scoring a goal during the third period of a game against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on November 18, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 18: Seth Jarvis #24 of the Carolina Hurricanes is congratulated at the bench after scoring a goal during the third period of a game against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on November 18, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 23: Frederik Andersen #31 of the Carolina Hurricanes is congratulated by Ian Cole #28 and Ethan Bear #25 after defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-1 at Nationwide Arena on October 23, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 23: Frederik Andersen #31 of the Carolina Hurricanes is congratulated by Ian Cole #28 and Ethan Bear #25 after defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-1 at Nationwide Arena on October 23, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Solid defense wins championships

This LA team is capable of beating the Canes if they take it lightly. That’s mainly due to the elite talent that LA boasts at the center position. In order to keep these players on the Los Angeles forward core at bay, the Carolina Hurricanes have a simple task. Play a good 200-foot game, make sure you reload, box out attackers, block shots, and get in passing lanes.

Carolina’s defense is solid, and it’s going to have to be good when the team goes to play the Kings. This matinee is a difficult game for anyone, but the Kings are going to be at home waiting for the Canes to get in from Orange County and they’re going to be ready to upset the team with the best point percentage in hockey. They’re going to try and play up to their competition.

We know that the Kings love being an underdog. In the history of their franchise, they won a Stanley Cup being the eighth seed in the Western Conference, and reverse swept the San Jose Sharks when that feat has only been accomplished three other times in NHL history. They’re going to be a worthy opponent for Carolina and they love to cause upsets.

All six defensemen will need to be ready to give up the body, cut passing lanes, keep their feet moving, and have active shifts. Don’t get caught pinching unless you’re behind, and don’t force anything that isn’t there. Against teams like LA, you have to not lose before you can win the game. Make sure you take care of the puck and don’t let anything happen in your own net, then you can start to win games.

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