Hurricanes fall short in valiant effort against the Pittsburgh Penguins

Carolina game so close to getting themselves back into a game they found themselves down in. Yet, the offense just wouldn’t click and they fall 4-2 to the Pittsburgh Penguins with a 200-foot empty-net goal being the game decider. A tired team playing its 2nd game in less than 22 hours, the Canes looked like they were struggling to stay focused but they got stronger as the game went on, but the mountain was just too tall with too little time left.

It was a tightly fought contest between the Hurricanes and the Penguins, but the Hurricanes just couldn’t hold it together long enough to get back into the game when they got up to speed. Carolina just couldn’t solve Tristan Jarry, and it turned out to be the Achilles heel of the team. In an otherwise great effort, they ran into a goalie that just wasn’t going to be denied and he was a major difference.

It wasn’t all bad in this one. Teuvo Teravainen recorded an assist on the Sebastian Aho goal that made the game 3-2. That assist moved him into 10th all-time in the history of the Hartford Whalers – Carolina Hurricanes franchise history. By the end of the season, Teravainen should be in the top 6. Considering he’s only been in Carolina for six seasons, he’s been a very good trade acquisition.

Carolina’s penalty kill also moved to 89.4% on the season. The all-time best penalty kill is held by the 2011-12 New Jersey Devils who had an 89.6% success rate when it came to killing penalties. There’s a lot of hockey left, but it’s worth keeping an eye on. There’s a chance that the Canes could pass that by the time the season ends. It’s a great chance for this Canes team to get themselves into the history books and grab an all-time NHL record.

This was a game that the Carolina Hurricanes gave their all in. They gave it everything, and it was a fantastic effort from the team. However, they couldn’t beat the Penguins. Their scoring seemed to dissipate once again, and they come home from the Steel City empty-handed. They fall 4-2 to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a game that the Hurricanes dominated.

Question for Cardiac Cane readers: What are you taking away from this game?