From here on out, every game is an elimination game, meaning the Ottawa Senators will be a desperate squad. After successfully doing the job in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes continued their defensive masterclass in Game 3. Now, they have a chance to make quick work of the Senators as the door of the closet where the brooms live starts to open.
Game 3: The series made its Ottawa debut on Thursday night. The Hurricanes wasted little time getting ahead of the game, and it was the usual suspects getting the party started. Taylor Hall followed his rebound and found Logan Stankoven for a one-timer to notch his third game-opening goal of the series, putting the Canes up 1-0 early.
After both teams combined to go 8-for-8 on the kill, Ottawa finally got on the board. Drake Batherson buried a backhand on a 2-on-1 to knot it up. However, the Canes responded less than 90 seconds later. K'Andre Miller froze Linus Ullmark, finding Jackson Blake through the seam to take the lead back. With a lockdown period in the third, the Canes earned a 2-1 win, pushing Ottawa to the brink.
On the Other Side: Ottawa Senators
Jake Sanderson exited Game 3 midway through the contest. Ottawa head coach Travis Green directly blamed a hit to the head from Taylor Hall as the reason for his departure, providing little in terms of an update on his star defenseman after the game. Hall didn't face any disciplinary action for the hit. Green said on Friday that both Sanderson and Artem Zub won't be available this afternoon.
The absence of both defensemen not only puts more pressure on Thomas Chabot and Jordan Spence on the back end, but it applies even more to an offense that has only scored three times in three games. Doing so without their top puck mover on the blue line and their quarterback on the power play will be tricky, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
What to Watch in Game 4
Whose power play steps up in a big spot: Defensive specialists are watching this series and smiling at the defensive masterclass that each team is providing. There have only been ten combined goals scored through three games, and only one of them has come on the power play. The Canes are 1-for-10, while the Senators are 0-for-12. Clearly, something isn't working for either team.
Moreover, both teams have squandered 5-on-3 opportunities that could've changed the game. The Canes had two chances in Game 1, while the Senators failed to connect on a prolonged 5-on-3 down a goal in Game 3. Something has to give because the dam feels like it's ready to burst. It could be that the team that wins the power play battle today comes away with the victory.
Will the Hurricanes deploy the same lineup: There appears to be a lot of speculation online about whether the Canes should change up the lines or their personnel ahead of Game 4. Some are speculating about whether they try to go heavier by bringing in Nicolas Deslauriers, especially with Hall appearing to be a marked man. Others wonder whether Brandon Bussi could be in line to start.
My two cents on the subject mean absolutely nothing, but I see no reason whatsoever to change things up right now. The Canes have won three games with the same group. The last thing you want to do is take your foot off the gas and give the Senators hope. One ember can spark a fire. Finish the job on Saturday the right way. Let the hot hand guide you. I would stick with Frederik Andersen.
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