Canes Corner

Frederik Andersen made 25 saves and Jordan Martinook scored a shorthanded goal leading the Canes to a 3-1 win over the Devils. Carolina takes a 2-0 series lead back to Newark for Game 3 on Friday night. The Devils went ahead in the first period through Jesper Bratt but the Hurricanes answered early in the second as Shayne Gostisbehere scored off a rebound of his own miss. Martinook would give the Canes the lead less than 3 minutes later as his first of the playoffs came shorthanded. Martinook now has 4 goals and 12 points in 7 playoff games against New Jersey - registering at least one point in each of the 7 games. Seth Jarvis scored into the empty net for the final margin. Through two games of the series, Carolina has one power play goal and one shorthanded. 

Logan Stankoven scored twice in the second period as the Hurricanes raced out to a 3-0 lead en route to a 4-1 win over the Devils.  Carolina takes Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series with Game 2 set for Tuesday in Raleigh. Carolina won the special teams battle, scoring once on the power play but also shutting the Devils down when New Jersey had the man advantage.  The Canes also saw strong performances up and down the lineup during a physical game.  Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis combined for 9 hits.  Andrei Svechnikov played a very heavy game and Eric Robinson and William Carrier combined for 13 hits in the game.  Jalen Chatfield opened the scoring less than 2 1/2 minutes into the game.  Stankoven scored about 6 1/2 minutes apart in the 2nd.  Svechnikov scored into an empty net late in the 3rd.  Frederik Andersen made 23 saves and was very steady throughout.  

The Canes final regular season game was a gong show of a 7-5 loss to the Senators. They always say that hockey is a game of runs (actually, no one says that.) The Sens scored the first three goals in the first period. Then the Canes scored twice before the period ended and three more times early in the second. In all, the five goals came in a 8:59 stretch spanning the 1st and 2nd periods. But Ottawa scored 4 times in a penalty-filled 3rd and the Canes have closed the season with 3 straight losses and a stretch that has seen them win just once in their last eight (1-6-1). In this episode we talk goaltending, the importance of Andrei Svechnikov and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, a sneaky resurgent Dimitri Orlov and I lay out what I believe will be the forward lines starting Easter Sunday. 

The Canes left seven of their best players in the press box and lost the penultimate game of the season, 4-2, to the Canadiens. The win clinched a playoff spot for Montreal as the Hurricanes have now won just once in their last 7 games (1-5-1). Carolina dressed four players called up from the minor leagues including Skyler Brind'Amour - the head coach's son (duh) - who made his NHL debut, as well as top prospect Bradly Nadeau. The leading rookie goal-scorer in the AHL with 30, who played in his first NHL game at the end of last season, helped set up a Tyson Jost goal and made it 3-2 late in the 3rd period and played an otherwise very good game. Defenseman Dominic Fensore also impressed in his NHL debut. Taylor Hall scored the Hurricanes first goal. In this episode, Nick Bass who runs the CanesProspect feeds on both X and BlueSky joined me to discuss the young guys and Jackson Blake. 

The Canes closed out their home schedule with a 4-1 loss to the Maple Leafs.  Carolina played a great first period, but trailed 1-0 after a Pontus Holmberg goal.  From there Toronto took the game over.  Only Sebastian Aho's 3rd period power play goal kept Joseph Woll from a shutout.  Inside, I discuss the disappoiintment of Andrei Svechnikov, Carolina's goaltending and the possible approach to the final two games of the season.

The Canes dominated the first 45 minutes against the Rangers, jumped out to a 5-1 lead and went on to win, 7-3.  The win snaps a 4-game losing streak and eliminated New York from playoff contention.  The top line of Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis and Jackson Blake combined for 7 points (2g, 5a), all coming as the Canes jumped out to a 3-0 lead.  Mark Jankowski's 8th goal with the Hurricanes made it 4-0.  Jordan Staal, Jordan Martinook and Logan Stankoven also scored and Pyotr Kochetkov made 28 saves for just his second win in his last 6 starts.  We talk about the game, the arrival of defensive prospect Alexander Nikishin and what the forward group could look like come playoff time.

Canes lost a see-saw game in Washington, 5-4, in a shootout. The Canes scored twice in the 1st period to lead 2-0. But, the Caps got a power play goal late in the opening period, then another early in the second to draw even. Then two goals in about 30 seconds late in the 2nd put the Capitals two goals ahead. Carolina, however, would fight back with Jordan Martinook making it 4-3 less than 5 minutes into the third. Then, Seth Jarvis made a great defensive play to prevent an empty net goal and finished a Sebastian Aho pass at the other end forcing overtime. Jackson Blake scored his 16th goal of the season and has 7 points (5g, 2a) in his last 7 games. 

Carolina couldn't figure out a way past former Hurricanes goalie James Reimer and were shut out 3-0. It was their 3rd straight loss - all on the road - and they've scored just 4 goals in the three games. Pyotr Kochetkov wasn't the problem, but he also wasn't the solution. He's lost 4 of his last 5 starts while allowing 21 goals on 110 shots for a save percentage of .809. We discuss the impact this could have on Carolina's postseason - whether or not Kochetkov plays in the playoffs. It also hasn't been a great stretch for Carolina's top defensive pairing of Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns and they were at least partially responsible for 2 of the 3 goals. 

The Canes dropped a 5-1 decision in Boston to a Bruins team that had lost 10 in a row.  David Pastrnak had a hat trick while former Hurricanes forwards Morgan Geekie and Elias Lindholm each scored.  Jeremy Swayman made 39 saves for the winners.  Frederik Andersen allowed 5 goals on 26 shots and saw his 7-game winning streak come to an end.  It was a tough game for Carolina's best players as Jaccob Slavin -- as well as his defensive partner Brent Burns -- was a -5.  Sebastian Aho was a -3 and his linemates were held off the scoresheet as well.  Jesperi Kotkaniemi left the game midway through the 2nd period with an undisclosed injury and will be re-evaluated on Sunday.  The only plus was the first career goal for rookie Justin Robidas.  

The Red Wings scored twice within 30 seconds - TWICE - and handed the Canes a 5-3 loss. Carolina's winning streak ends at 3. Pyotr Kochetkov has now allowed 18 goals on the last 92 shots he's faced. And, while it would be hard to categorize any of the four goals he allowed tonight as "bad goals", his lack of confidence is evident in his movement and inability to read plays. We discuss the problem Kochetkov's play presents for the team - even as Frederik Andersen has been spectacular over his last 8 starts. We talk briefly about the red hot Jackson Blake, who scored his 15th goal of the season. And we get into Andrei Svechnikov, his absence, and how much the Canes need him at his best.