The Hurricanes claw back twice before dropping the game to the Panthers in overtime

After finding the winning edge on Sunday, the Carolina Hurricanes hoped to replicate that magic when they visited the Florida Panthers to finish the back-to-back. Bradly Nadeau scored twice, Jackson Blake had a pair of helpers, and Cayden Primeau stopped 18 shots as the Canes beat the Predators, 4-2, to earn their first win of the preseason.

Nadeau was back in the lineup as the team traveled to Sunrise, with several of the same players from last night's win in tow. Frederik Andersen took the start for the Canes after two very slow periods during his first appearance of the preseason last Wednesday against the Cats. Sergei Bobrovsky started for the Panthers, giving us a conference finals rematch in the crease.

If you were a little late for tonight's contest, you missed a goal early, and not for the good guys. Less than a minute in, Jack Studnicka's backhand snuck through Andersen to get the Cats out to an early lead. The backhand would prove lethal again midway through the second period. This time, Sandis Vilmanis finished a transition chance to double Florida's lead.

Down by two, the Canes struggled to generate any offense. Bobrovsky shut the door, but a planned goalie change helped turn the tide. After Nadeau had a goal taken off the board for offsides, Givani Smith found a little daylight on the short side to finally get the Canes going. Late in the frame, Alexander Nikishin went the same way, snapping one from deep in the dot to tie things up after 40.

With Andersen's night over after two periods, Nikita Quapp got his first look of the preseason, and he was thrown into the fire. Chances came from all angles, and one eventually beat him. Ryan Suzuki couldn't handle a pass in the neutral zone as the Canes changed lines. This allowed Brett Chorskie to skate in freely and snap one under Quapp's glove to restore Florida's lead.

The Canes refused to be out of the fight. Less than four minutes later, Justin Robidas blistered a wrister through traffic and past Cooper Black. The Canes ran into penalty trouble at the end of regulation. They successfully killed a four-minute high-sticking penalty, but Felix Unger Sorum was called for DOGPOG in the final minute. They pushed it to OT before Studnicka scored again to win.

The same guys keep getting the job done

Maybe we've talked about these guys a lot because they've played more than anyone else, but Bradly Nadeau and Givani Smith continue to put up points this preseason. Smith got the Canes on the board to kick things into motion, giving him two goals and three points through five games. Bradly Nadeau also found the scoresheet, earning the primary helper on Robidas' goal.

With big decisions coming in the next few days, these two will be names to watch. I still believe Smith has an outside chance of earning a contract with the Canes, but another team in the league would be foolish not to give him a chance. I can't make a strong argument against Nadeau not making the team, other than all of the names ahead of him. He's been too good not to give him a chance in the NHL.

Even in defeat, it was a good night for the goaltending

As expected, Frederik Andersen was much busier tonight, even against a Florida lineup filled with depth players and prospects. After facing just eight shots last Wednesday, Andersen saw 20 tonight, stopping 18 of them. The backhands were his Achilles' heel, with both goals feeling very stoppable. Still, it was a positive showing.

The same can be said for Nikita Quapp, who hasn't played in a game since the rookie showcase. Taking over for Andersen in the third, Quapp faced 17 shots, including 15 in the final period of regulation alone. He looked very good. I can't fault him for either goal as he suffered the loss. I think he'll likely start the season in the ECHL with Greensboro, but I've seen good signs from him.

Additional Thoughts

Ivan Ryabkin left the game midway through the second period. It appeared that he took a puck off the top of the foot after an awkward collision along the boards. Ryabkin had to be helped down the tunnel afterwards in obvious pain. While he was limited to eight shifts tonight, Ryabkin was a battering ram, trailing only Givani Smith with five hits. Hopefully, the injury isn't anything too serious.

Alexander Nikishin had a good night on the scoresheet, scoring his first goal and adding an assist to join Robidas with a multi-point game. It wasn't a great night. He had a tough first shift, and he took a penalty, but it was overall a net positive. Nikishin appears to be fitting in well, meaning he should have no issues when the regular season kicks off.

Up Next: The Carolina Hurricanes have one more preseason game remaining, though it isn't until Saturday. They'll be in Nashville for a late afternoon start against the Predators. Four days between games in the preseason feels a bit egregious, but I don't make the schedule. From there, the chase for the Stanley Cup begins next Thursday, October 9, when the Canes host the Devils.

With this much time before the next game, and the A group needing more ice time, I expect big cuts to be coming in the next day or so. We've already seen some moves over the last two days, with two of the goalies being reassigned to Chicago, along with a few more moves earlier in the day. There is no shortage of stories to watch as the roster starts to take shape.