3 takeaways from Canes historic win in the Buckeye state
Yes, this is a few days late, but I’m still struggling to believe my eyes when I watch these highlights and rewatch the game footage. Carolina was just rampant. Down 4-0 halfway through the game and winning 7-4 like it was nothing just speaks to how good this team has been this year. Obviously, Columbus being forced to put in a cold netminder for the third period was lucky, but the Canes took advantage.
5 third-period goals headlines a beautiful comeback win over their Metropolitan division foes in Columbus. It’s still mind-boggling how well the Canes were playing. What I find most difficult to believe is that the Canes fell 4-0 behind when they were being so dominant. Carolina finished the game with nearly 50 shots. Columbus didn’t amass 20. The Canes were dominant the whole way through.
Only 6 Hurricanes didn’t get a point in this game, including both of the Ahovainen duo and the goaltender that started the game! The one that came in to relieve him? He had an assist on the game-tying goal because of course he did. He’s an early-season Vezina nominee, and if the Norris is anything to go by, it’ll go to the goalie with the most points. He really got a point and a win in a game he didn’t start.
What even happened? I have to talk about this game, and I’m STILL speechless. For the first time in 1989 when the team was the Hartford Whalers, they have overcome a 4-goal deficit in a game to win. It’s the 2nd time in franchise history and the first since relocation. Carolina remains unbeaten when they reach 3 goals in a game this year.
Early domination still left the Canes in a hole
Carolina dominated this game from start to finish. I do not care what the scoreboard said. Carolina controlled the puck, controlled the scoring chances, and controlled the shot counter. They found themselves down 4-0 in the 2nd period, and this game looked over, but not for a lack of outplaying Columbus. Just because they couldn’t get the puck in the net. It looked like those old demons would continue to haunt the team.
With the first goal, just kind of letting the Blue Jackets star defenseman walk in and score with no real resistance was not great. None of the next two goals in the period put the Canes’ insane talent on display. They were so good in terms of game control but couldn’t put it together to establish their scoring in this game. It was such great play without the scoring rewards.
Carolina’s game plan worked but they couldn’t get on the board and we’re leaking at the back. Even when they brought in a new netminder for the 2nd period, the Blue Jackets still scored on a freak bounce that went through his pads. Carolina had been so unlucky to find themselves in this game.
Until they decided to start scoring at will about midway through the 2nd period, Carolina really looked like they were going to lose a game they dominated. Yet, they never got frustrated, they never lost their composure and in the third period, they did the impossible. We will get to that in a second, but how big a hole the Canes were in cannot be overstated. They were dead to rights. It was over but the final horn.
Carolina offense suddenly decided to bring in the new year with fireworks
4-0 down midway through the game. 7-4 winners at the horn. Carolina’s scoring continued to click as the game went on. With the Canes suddenly deciding that the team was too good not to win. It was a little concerning, but in the end, it paid off and the Canes rallied from 4 down to overcome the Jackets in regulation and add 2 more points to the standings. They’re the best team in the NHL right now.
As soon as the 3rd period starts, the Canes look like Stanley Cup contenders. This wasn’t just in this game. They outscore teams in the third period by getting almost 4x what they give up in the third. They scored 5 third-period goals in this one, and they gave up just 2 shots despite leading for half the period. They never let Columbus get back into it. As soon as the Canes led, this was over.
Carolina’s scoring in the third period was frenzied. They were scoring from the point, getting weird bounces, getting rebounds, empty-net goals, cross-crease passes, and tips. There was no reason for the team to have been behind, but the way they rallied was so reassuring. This game was mental for so many reasons, and the Canes escaped with a win.
Even the players that didn’t play well escaped with a point. The bottom pairing was awful through the first 40 minutes. They set up the game-tying goal and scored the game-winner. Carolina’s terrifying offense was on display, and everyone stood up and performed in this game. Whatever the role was, they all played well when the time called for it.
History is made after all
Carolina scored 7 and overcame a 4 goal deficit to win for the first time since 1989. They did it for the first time as the Carolina Hurricanes. They etched their names into the history books and pushed themselves to the limit. They were scoring almost at will by the time they were up 6-4. It cannot be overstated how impressive this win was.
When was the last time you remember seeing a Canes goalie come into a game they were getting blown out in and turn the result around? I’m thinking and off the top of my head, I cannot think of one in the Tom Dundon era of the team. It really turned around when the netminders traded places.
When was the last time you saw a netminder who started the game as the backup record an assist on the game-tying goal? He’s now got 4 or 5 on the season, and he’s scoring at an alarming rate considering that the netminder cannot cross the red line without incurring a delay of game penalty.
This game was so historic. There was no way the Canes should have won this game, but the managed to hold on and get the result they wanted when they were down and out When the team next tales to the ice on the back of this game against Calgary at PNC Arena, it’s going to be a loud experience. A historical team returns home.