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Three keys to the Canes winning in the Shark Tank

By Conor Power

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 16: The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate a third-period goal by Seth Jarvis #24 against the Vegas Golden Knights during their game at T-Mobile Arena on November 16, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Hurricanes defeated the Golden Knights 4-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 16: The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate a third-period goal by Seth Jarvis #24 against the Vegas Golden Knights during their game at T-Mobile Arena on November 16, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Hurricanes defeated the Golden Knights 4-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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MONTREAL, QC – OCTOBER 21: Jeff Petry #26 of the Montreal Canadiens delivers a check on Jesperi Kotkaniemi #82 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period at Centre Bell on October 21, 2021, in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – OCTOBER 21: Jeff Petry #26 of the Montreal Canadiens delivers a check on Jesperi Kotkaniemi #82 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period at Centre Bell on October 21, 2021, in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Time for the final Finn to step up

After the biggest move in an off-season since 2007 when he came across via an offer sheet, Jesperi Kotkaniemi has been often criticized for his play in Carolina. Mainly by Habs fans or people looking purely at his stats, but KK has found himself under a lot of scrutinies. He’s actually been very impressive since he moved to the center, but since the only spot was on the 4th line, it just adds fuel to the fire.

Tonight, Kotkaniemi will have a chance to prove himself. I don’t know if he’s going to be in the lineup, but if he is, he’s going to have a chance to prove the critics wrong. This is likely the best matchup he will get for a little while as San Jose doesn’t exactly have the best strength in their bottom six. With the Hurricanes likely looking for goals from their bottom six, now would be a great time to step up.

Kotkaniemi started the season on the left-wing and really bounced around the lineup. However, KK has looked right at home since moving to the middle of the ice. He’s looked like a natural fit on the bottom line. Scoring once and really dominating since the Vegas game, the Kotkaniemi line has been very promising on this road trip.

This bottom line could be the difference between 15-2 and 14-3. A win tonight would mean a sweep of the California gauntlet, it would mean progressing to 4-0-0 on the road trip and it would mean that the Canes strong start to the season sees them get a gap

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