Hurricanes finish four-game road trip with game in Minnesota

Tonight, the Carolina Hurricanes are going to go toe to toe with one of the Western Conference heavyweights. When they go to Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, they will be at the home of the Minnesota Wild. A team that Carolina has held the monopoly over in recent years has a new look attack with one of the best young wingers in the league emerging on their top line.

This is going to be a very difficult task for the Canes, and if they are to beat this strong wild team, they’re going to need to be at their best. We saw what the team was capable of when they dismantled the Boston Bruins in their last game, and they’re going to need to be at that level again if they’re going to end this road trip above .500. The Carolina Hurricanes will need to be good in this game.

Carolina’s special teams are going to need to be a big part of this game. With the league’s best PK and a great powerplay, it’s going to be a game that’s closely fought at even strength. That’s why the special teams become a major player in the result of this game. Whoever can generate on their powerplay is likely to escape with the win in this game. It’s a simple principle, but it’s always easier said than done.

As for how you quiet the Wild down, they have some problems with their depth scoring. You have to force one of their other lines to beat you. Take away that top line, and force them to use their depth. In a clash of depth, the advantage is Carolina’s. If the top talents go to war, then it’s going to be a close game. Carolina needs to be solid defensively on that top line and force them to beat them with a different line.