Most of the NHL guys sat back and watched the first three preseason games play out. On Saturday in Nashville, the Carolina Hurricanes iced a lineup that could be right back out there when the season begins on Tuesday. The goal was to get in, get out, and stay healthy for the final tune-up. If anything, they wanted to keep this light and airy, unlike their ferocious comeback win on Thursday.
Despite having Eric Robinson on the top line during practice throughout training camp, Rod Brind'Amour switched it up and gave Felix Unger Sorum a huge opportunity in his final test before Monday's roster announcement. Brandon Bussi made his second start of the preseason. Nashville iced many of their regulars, including Juuse Saros in the crease.
With the NHL guys going, the start was about as good as you'd hoped it would be. The power play drew first blood, with Jackson Blake finishing a chance in tight after Bussi made a great short-handed stop on the other end. Nikolaj Ehlers found Jordan Martinook a few minutes later to double the lead, and he added one after picking off a pass and skating the other way for a breakaway goal.
Up by three after the first period, the Canes had to be careful and not fall into the same trap that Nashville had on Thursday. Fortunately, they didn't. The penalty kill made a few big stops, Bussi was moving well, and they eventually added to the lead. Logan Stankoven buried a one-timer from Blake late in the period, extending the lead to four after 40 minutes.
The power play left no doubt in the third period. Mark Jankowski sniped a shot to the top corner as the Canes' advantage was about to expire, adding to the team's lead. Then, in the final minute, Andrei Svechnikov earned a bounce off a skate to finish the job for good. Backed by an incredible effort from the big guns, the Canes closed the preseason with a 6-0 victory over the Predators.
The Canes' regulars looked like they hadn't missed a beat
For the majority of the roster, this was their first game since mid-June, and the stakes on that night were significantly higher. There was absolutely no going through the motions from anyone on this team. Everyone played with a purpose, knowing what is ahead of them next week. That showed on the scoreboard, winning in as dominant a fashion as they did.
While they played in Thursday's game, the second line kept rolling. Jackson Blake had a monster afternoon, providing the opening goal and two more assists, one of which was to Logan Stankoven, who picked up his third goal of the preseason. Taylor Hall added an assist on the sixth goal. Their chemistry continues to be off the charts.
Sebastian Aho had two helpers on the power play. Andrei Svechnikov scored a goal. The entire third line connected on a beautiful play in the first period. Nikolaj Ehlers set that goal up and added one of his own a little later. Brandon Bussi made all 22 stops to earn the shutout. The power play went 3-for-4. The penalty kill went 5-for-5. It was about as perfect an effort as you could ask for.
Unger Sorum earned his chance, and it might've landed him a roster spot
For the last two weeks, I've just assumed that Bradly Nadeau had a roster spot locked up. However, the coaching staff made an interesting decision to put Felix Unger Sorum on the top line with Aho and Svechnikov. It was a big opportunity to prove he was ready. His stat line doesn't tell the complete story because Unger Sorum didn't look remotely out of place.
He probably could've been a little more assertive with the puck in the offensive zone at 5-on-5, but Unger Sorum was stellar. He drew two penalties, both of which led to a goal. His second earned call, a hold against Nashville captain Roman Josi, led to him picking up the primary assist on Mark Jankowski's goal. His one-touch pass put it right on his stick.
The coaching staff has a lot of tough decisions to make between now and Monday afternoon when trying to finalize the 23-man roster. Having so many players who could be on the roster is a good problem to have, but it doesn't make these decisions any easier. Nadeau and Unger Sorum have each done everything they can to be Hurricanes at the start of the year. They've left it all on the ice.
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