Giant Question Mark For Hurricanes Defense In Game Three

Brett Pesce's early exit from Carolina's 5-3 epic come from behind win Monday night was not what the Carolina Hurricanes wanted to see. But when the blast of hockey war blows in our ears Thursday night in Long Island for game three, there will be a massive space missing.

But fear not ye of little faith, as once more unto the breach, dear Caniacs, once more steps Tony DeAngelo as the best option for the Hurricanes. And what better yoeman to teach them how to war than DeAngelo.

DeAngelo has 17 games of playoff experience, with the bulk coming during 2021-2022 Hurricanes run. In those 17 games, DeAngelo has scored one goal, and served up 10 assists. Of his 11 points, 8 have come on the power play, which is where the Hurricanes perhaps have the most room to grow, although there is not much more room for improvement.

Hurricanes Coach Rod Brind'Amour has, then, but one question. Where to let this pair show the mettle of their pasture. While DeAngelo has the offensive capabilities, with his whopping 3 goals and 8 assists in 31 regulars season games with the Canes this year, there is no reason to move the TDA/ Skjei combo into the top spot.

The pairing of Jalen Chatfield and Dimtry Orlov has proven well adept at the grind, and provided it's own brass cannons to the fight. Given the role that duo plays, it only makes sense to leave the DeAngelo/ Skjei set where it lays to set it's teeth and stretch the nostrils wide.

As the Canes get set to be copy to men of grosser blood of the New York Islander nature, there is but one greyhound to stand in the slip. That being Tony DeAngelo, and while there are other options such as Scott Morrow, those have not the noble lustre in their eye as Tony DeAngelo.

So on, on, you noblest Carolina Hurricanes! On!