Cardiac Cane
Fansided

3 keys to Hockey Fights Cancer night at PNC Arena between Caps and Canes

By Conor Power

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 20: Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates a goal by Seth Jarvis #24 against the Los Angeles Kings in the first period at Staples Center on November 20, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 20: Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates a goal by Seth Jarvis #24 against the Los Angeles Kings in the first period at Staples Center on November 20, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 20: Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates a goal by Seth Jarvis #24 against the Los Angeles Kings in the first period at Staples Center on November 20, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 20: Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates a goal by Seth Jarvis #24 against the Los Angeles Kings in the first period at Staples Center on November 20, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Stay out of the box

When I say that Carolina is the most penalized team in the NHL, does anyone doubt this? They will need to limit the number of cracks they give Washington’s man advantage. It’s only a matter of time until they get their great number eight to unleash a cannon from his office just above the dots, so the best way to counter that is to stay at 5-on-5, and keep hold of the puck.

Going to the box is understandable in situations where you deny a clear goal, you take away a clear chance. Something like that makes sense, but don’t be taking offensive zone penalties and giving Washington chances to relieve pressure and get pucks to the Carolina net. Hemming an ageing Washington Capitals team in is going to be vital to getting two points in this one.

Carolina’s penalty kill is 2nd in the league, but that isn’t an excuse to keep going to the well. Eventually, you will get burned if you keep playing with fire. This Washington team has weapons of its own, despite most of them currently being on the injured reserve, They still know how to hurt teams, and they can still run rings around you if you do not treat them as a threat.

If you can keep the Washington powerplay units on the bench and keep them away from being a threat, then you will give yourself a chance to win this game. Don’t be lazy and keep moving your feet to get back into the play and you will be fine. Giving this Washington team too many attempts to hurt you with an extra man will eventually backfire.

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