Game Preview: Hurricanes and Blues In Raleigh

Coming off the huge experience that was the Stadium Series game at Carter-Finley Stadium, and dominating 4-1 win over the Washington Capitals, the Carolina Hurricanes look to mute the St. Louis Blues Tuesday in Raleigh.

St. Louis is maybe not as bad as their 26-27-3 record, but certainly not the caliber of team the Hurricanes have been facing. The Blues have lost two (to the Avalanche and a resurgent Senators team) of their last three after a three game win streak over Arizona, Florida, and Metro Division New Jersey.

Currently St. Louis is 5th in the Wild Card standings with 55 points.

Team points leader Jordan Kyrou has been, until his -2 game again the Ottawa, on a tangent going back to the Blues 6-5 OT win over the Coyotes. Goals in two games (against the Panthers and Devils) and assists in four of the last five has the St. Louis Center at 25, and 29 respectively.

After Kyrou, things drop off for the Blues offensively. Robert Thomas is -3 in his last three games. Brayden Schenn is -4 in that same period of time.

Defensively, St. Louis will likely start Jordan Bennington in net. Bennington is 21-19 and sports a 3.27 GAA and a Sv% of .893. The goalie position has been a real problem for the Blues though Bennington has had flashes of good play.

He has, however, let in 11 over his last two.

On the other hand, there are the Carolina Hurricanes. Having won three of their last four, including two big wins over Metro Division rivals the Washington Capitals.

In baseball, there is the old saying “put up a crooked number and you can’t lose.” Carolina has proven that to be the case and then some so far this season. The Hurricanes have tacked 15 on the board in their last four games.

Not since December 13th have the Canes been held to just one goal in a 1-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings. Only for times has that happened all year.

Getting into superstitious waters, Carolina has not been shut out since the now famous 4-0 loss to the Arizona Coyotes on the day before Thanksgiving. That shut out loss was one of two on the season for the Hurricanes.

And explosive scoring has come from all over the place with the Hurricanes. Carolina has 13 players with 20 or more points for the season. Brett Burns sits 4th in  points, while fellow blue liners Brady Skjei, and Brett Pesce are also included in that elite above 20 group.

Their top +/- skater, is Defenseman Jalen Chatfield at +20. No one can forget Seth Jarvis’s hat trick in the 6-2 win over the Montreal Canadians. If you have, shame on you, but let’s all enjoy this sweet,sweet net music

Freddie Anderson will likely get the start for the Hurricanes in goal. Anderson played a good game against the Capitals Saturday but with only 25 SOG, he saw little action. Other than a rusty 6-2 loss to the Rangers on February 11th, and a rough first period in his next start against the Capitals, the veteran goalkeeper has been solid.

Going into Tuesday’s game against the Blue, Anderson’s line reads 13-4-0, 2.52 GAA, and a .903 SV%.

The Carolina Hurricanes should easily silence the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday in Raleigh, but one can never tell, and there is a reason they play the game on ice instead of on paper. Carolina’s offense is hitting play-off stride while the Blues have been struggling.

Look for a lopsided affair, but do not be surprise in St. Louis does not come out playing with little to lose.