For Monday’s Daily Cup of Joe, I wrote a wish list for each of 21 Hurricanes players. That article detailed what the team needed to do to win the series based on individual player data.
Today’s Daily Cup of Joe also looks at what it takes to win but comes at it more from a high level.
Here is what I think the Canes need to do differently to win game 7.
1) Establish the forecheck and prevent the opposition from doing the same
From the beginning, I said that the series outcome would be determined by which team could more effectively move the puck and also keep the opponent from doing the same. That has held true. When the Hurricanes forecheck is effective, the rest of the team’s game has flowed from that starting point. There is less pressure on the blue line to defend, and the forecheck also generates scoring chances. The result is a game with significantly more chances for the Hurricanes.
2) Be better at sorting out the Capitals rush
A major Achilles’ heel in the Hurricanes three losses in Washington, D.C. has been the team’s struggles sorting things out defensively off the rush. As I detailed in the game 5 recap, the Capitals’ general approach on the rush has been to split the first two forwards into the zone wide. With the puck on the wing and the middle open, the Capitals have regularly slashed a player into the wide open middle lane for scoring chances and goals.
(1) and (2) actually work as a combination. When the Hurricanes are unable to get the forecheck going, the result is more chances for the Capitals to gain speed through the neutral zone and attack off the rush. Then if the Hurricanes defensemen are unable to sort things out, the result is a bunch of chances for the Capitals to just gradually pick them apart.
3) Punch and counter punch
The key for the Hurricanes to give themselves the best chance possible is simply to just keep pushing regardless of early results. The Hurricanes did that in Monday’s win and need to be able to muster the same on the road on Wednesday.
4) Play 5-on-5 hockey
Despite the big power play goal on Monday, the Hurricanes are still better off playing 5-on-5 hockey. So the Hurricanes must avoid taking unnecessary penalties or being goaded into extracurricular activities that could result in a penalty.
No doubt, we will do a deeper dive on game 7 before the puck drops on Wednesday night. but I really think that the game and series still just come down to which team can best move the puck.
What say you Canes fans?
1) If you had to name only one or two (or maybe three) things that will determine the outcome of Wednesday’s series finale, what would they be?
2) Of the four keys that I mention above, which two of those would you prioritize?
3) Who has other thoughts on game 7?
Go Canes!
Game 7 will be played with one day’s rest. The Canes have consistently looked better when playing with only one day off between games.
The Canes are playing with house money on Wednesday. Very few of us saw this series going 7 games. They’ve needed to break serve once in four chances in Washington to advance to Brooklyn. That doesn’t seem impossible any longer.
If Svech can play and Ferland can be duct taped together well enough to be a physical presence in the game, the Canes line up will be greatly improved. If Ferland is not able to be physical, I’d prefer a 100% Maenalanen, to a 75% Ferland.
The Canes need to embrace the paradox of the moment. Many of them are playing the biggest game of their lives, yet all the pressure is on Washington. The most important key is for the Canes to play like the game doesn’t matter.
I must use a personal, non-hockey example to make my point. When I lived in Raleigh I was active in the theater community. I auditioned a lot and never really received any of the roles I wanted. I never auditioned well: I knew the directors and, even more, knew the other actors auditioning for the same roles–I knew they had more experience and better reputations. A play I had always wanted to do was being cast in Rocky Mount. That was too far to drive every night for 6 weeks. I auditioned thinking I would not accept a role, not knowing the director or company at all, and not knowing the other actors on the stage auditioning with me. I took chances with my audition, I made big choices and at other moments I chose the “less is more” route. I was offered the lead role for the first time ever.
My point is the Canes need to play because they love playing, because a perfect pass is fun per se, because playing well is a win no matter what the scoreboard says. The Canes have already proven that they can go toe-to-toe with the defending champions. The paradox is that knowing they have “already won” will allow them to play their best hockey yet.
Ovechkin is a liar. A repeat offender. The referees showed no hesitation in waving off his “goal”. Toronto agreed with that decision in short order. Video replays show the puck was not visible when Ovechkin harpooned Mrazeks pads and the puck into the goal. Yet the liar still maintains the puck was visible and the refs blew the call. Kinda like saying Svech picked a fight with him. Translated to English “Ovechkin” means “Summers Eve”.