The Carolina Hurricanes split their road back-to-back set this weekend, defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1 on Friday night, before falling 4-3 to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.
4-1 Win over Penguins
In Pittsburgh on Friday, the Hurricanes dominated the first 40 minutes of the game. They were carrying play early, with Jesperi Kotkaniemi and William Carrier both having some good opportunities. While Sean Walker took a penalty from there, the Hurricanes managed to hold Pittsburgh without a shot on the man advantage. But despite Hurricanes outshooting Pittsburgh badly, Drew O’Connor took a shot from an off angle and put a perfect shot over Frederik Andersen to open the scoring.
However, the Hurricanes did strike shortly after, with Eric Robinson feeding Jackson Blake in front, who beat Blomqvist to tie game. The shots stood at 10-4 through 20 minutes, with Carolina likely deserving a better fate than a tie game.
The Hurricanes then opened the second frame with a flurry of chances, including a shot off the post for Martin Necas. However, only a little later on a power play, Necas ripped a nice wrist shot past Blomqvist, putting Carolina back ahead. Eric Robinson got in alone a little later for a partial break as well but couldn't convert, before the teams exchanged some power plays.
But with the Hurricanes on a man advantage later in the frame, Shayne Gostisbehere managed to beat Blomqvist, making it a 3-1 game through 40 minutes, with Carolina outshooting Pittsburgh 29-11.
Carolina then successfully killed a penalty early in the third period, before Jack Roslovic scored to extend the lead to 4-1 about midway through the frame. The Hurricanes gave the Penguins two more power plays from there, but held on for the win.
4-3 Loss to Blues
Then under two minutes into last night's game in St. Louis, Andrei Svechnikov finished off a nice passing play from Seth Jarvis and Sebastian Aho around the net, quickly putting Carolina ahead. The Hurricanes had all the momentum to start the game, really outplaying St. Louis, and also coming close to extending the lead off a Dmitry Orlov point shot that hit the post. The Hurricanes then had a power play opportunity, but despite outshooting the Blues by a massive 19-4 margin in the first period, they were up just 1-0 through 20 minutes.
However, St. Louis did come out a lot better to start the second period and had two early power plays, along with a shot off the post from Kasperi Kapanen. Jordan Martinook did have a chance for the Hurricanes shorty after, but he was stopped by Joel Hofer.
But about midway through the frame, the Hurricanes had a tough time handling the Blues forecheck and a puck eventually got to Mathieu Joseph in the slot, who beat Pyotr Kochetkov to tie the game. Then only about a minute later, Jake Neighbours sent a long-range shot through traffic which found its way in, giving the Blues their first lead. St. Louis wasn’t done there, and under two minutes after the go-ahead goal, Philip Broberg was able to get to the slot, then put a pass to Dylan Holloway, who managed to beat Kochetkov to extend the lead. So with three goals in just over three minutes, the Blues held a 3-1 lead through 40 minutes.
However, Carolina did battle back in the third period. First while on a power play, Shayne Gostisbehere put a shot on goal and it found its way in through traffic, cutting the lead to one. Then only a little over a minute later (and shortly after an unsuccessful 3-on-1), Jack Roslovic managed to beat Hofer five-hole with a slapshot along the ice, quickly tying the game.
But then under two minutes after that, Kasperi Kapanen used his speed to get in alone, and roof a shot over Kochetkov. The teams traded power plays after that, but despite the Hurricanes outshooting St. Louis 40-19, they fell 4-3.
Takeaways
I think across the back-to-back set, the Hurricanes put forth two very strong efforts. In Pittsburgh, they completely controlled the first 40 minutes, in what was a well-rounded performance. In St. Louis, they came out strong once again, but a lapse in the second period and a few too many mistakes ended up costing them.
They had two great starts, outshooting their opponents 29-8 over the first periods combined, but only scored two goals across those periods. Especially in St. Louis, their inability to use that first period dominance to build a larger lead didn’t help. That said, you’d also like to see Kochetkov do a little better than four goals allowed on 19 shots, though.
In terms of some other individual notes: I mentioned Shayne Gostisbehere looking like a great fit after the win over New Jersey, and he’s now scored three goals across the last three games. He’s been one of the team’s most impactful defenders thus far.
Getting another chance as a second-line center, Jesperi Kotkaniemi is also off to a fairly decent start. He has three assists in four games, but also looks to be harder on the forecheck, and a little more willing to play with physicality.
Consistent offense was maybe a bit of a concern coming into the season after losing the likes of Jake Guentzel, Teuvo Teravainen and Stefan Noesen, but so far, the Hurricanes haven't struggled in that department. The top line has been very good together, while Martin Necas has contributed as expected, and the team is also getting secondary offense from the likes of Jack Roslovic and Jackson Blake as well.
Overall, the team has looked drastically better across the last three games than they did in the season-opening loss to Tampa Bay. They’re sitting at just a 2-2-0 record, but there were more positives across the back-to-back than negatives. Even after splitting the back-to-back, I think their performances give a little more confidence that they’re still going to be a very capable team, despite the offseason changes.
Carolina will be back in action on Tuesday, when they face the Edmonton Oilers.
OTHER ARTICLES FROM OCTOBER
- Canes could regress this season, but remain set up for long-term success
- Hurricanes open season with 4-1 loss to Lightning
- Hurricanes bounce back to beat Devils for first win of season
Carolina Hurricanes Blogger • 
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