Carolina’s game in Edmonton was positive on many fronts. For one, it saw the team add two points to their season total, and it means that they won another hard-fought game in Edmonton but more importantly, they’re returning from this road trip above .500. It’s a great sign for a team that needed the points to ensure a successful trip to the west coast.
With the star player from the 2015 draft on display being the face of the Carolina Hurricanes Finnish first liner, the Carolina Hurricanes put their strength on full display for the Oilers and all of Canada to see. Two goals and a three-point night from the elite Finn would be the backbone of the Canes’ offensive production in this one, as they outgunned the Edmonton Oilers.
With the goaltending being solid, the Canes were able to press the issue and squeeze out a win with their netminder being a robber dressed in white. With their big Danish man in the crease showing signs of his once Vezina-worthy form, this game became manageable. It’s far from the perfect game for anyone involved, but it’s better than losing.
With the defense being solid the entire way through and muting two of the best players in the world that happen to play on the same line in Edmonton, this was a defensive performance that the Canes have not seen since their hand was forced into putting David Ayres in the goal. They were greatly dominated at points, and the defense did not bend to the Oilers’ will.
Carolina plays in a back-to-back, and I have to do the 3 keys to that game too, so I’m sorry this is late and a little underwhelming. I’m under the weather myself, but I promise they will be back to long pieces and in-depth dives soon enough.