Even the team’s last preseason game against each other had a different vibe to it. There was jawing, chippiness, extra pushing and shoving and a whole bunch more ‘I really don’t like you’ even in a meaningless. The Capitals have long been the Hurricanes most natural rival given the teams’ proximity and dating all the way back to the old Southeast Division together. But the Capitals did not figure in any of the Hurricanes intermittent playoff runs, and the Canes were mostly absent from the playoffs altogether during the Capitals regular appearances during the last decade. But for two weeks last April, the two teams finally met in the playoffs, and it was absolutely outstanding. The teams traded punches literally and figuratively in a back and forth seven game series that of course ended in a Hurricanes victory.
Expect nothing but animosity between these two teams every time they meet from that day forward.
Aside from the rivalry and testiness the game represents and early battle for the top of the Metropolitan Division. Yes, it is only game two, but now is the time for the Hurricanes to build early momentum and avoid needing a nearly perfect three-month run to return to the playoffs.
My watch points for the game follow.
‘What I’m watching’ for the Carolina Hurricanes versus the Washington Capitals
1) A cleaner game
The Hurricanes had their moments early in Thursday’s game and also managed to find a higher gear in the third period. But the first period was really sloppy moving the puck, and the second period featured a number of break downs or ‘oopses’ that self-inflicted pressure and led to a couple goals against. Reaching regular season caliber might take some time, but ideal would be to at least see a step in the right direction.
2) Answering animosity
Both teams have animosity for each other at this point, but I would argue that the Capitals have a bit more sheer nastiness of the old school variety. In the playoffs, the Hurricanes did a good job of matching the Capitals check for check physicality-wise and mostly dodging fisticuffs that did not make any sense. But with heavyweight Micheal Ferland gone and savvy interference runner Justin Williams also gone, the Hurricanes have a different crew in terms of policing shenanigans. Joel Edmundson helps, and Jordan Martinook like Williams is good at defusing things before they boil over. Regardless, I will be watching to see if the Hurricanes are able to answer the Capitals between the whistles and handle things smartly otherwise.
3) Best against best
Top match ups like this are often decided by which team’s best players are the best. Sebastian Aho had a decent game but did not crack the score sheet in the Canes opening night win. Jordan Staal clanged a post but similarly did not score, nor did Andrei Svechnikov or Teuvo Teravainen despite also having solid games. On Saturday, I will be watching to see if the Hurricanes’ top players can match or better Washington’s best.
4) Special teams
The Hurricanes power play was strong in Thursday’s win. Martin Necas scored on a tip. In addition, the power play had two posts and a goal that occurred eight seconds after a power play had ended. The penalty kill did get touched for a goal against, but in total I would the Hurricanes special teams play as a positive. Despite the positive first impression, ideal would be not to play with fire and try the Capitals in a special teams battle. But especially with the animosity between these two teams, special teams will likely play some role.
The puck drops at 7pm on Fox Sports Carolinas with John, Tripp and Mike.
Go Canes!
The Caps played Samson in their opening game last night, a win against the Islanders in NY. They have saved Holtby for their home opener against us tonight
Holtby played in the game at St. Louis on Wednesday. He gave up two first period goals and then shut down the defending champs.
I don’t expect he will be generous tonight.
I will keep an eye on Joel Edmundson.
Canes beat the Caps last year with an overwhelming forechecking style. I did not notice an overwhelming forechecking game in the opener. They will need this against the Caps.
We are going to have pace and intensity to stay on the ice with the Caps – with this being the home opener there was will be some extra energy in the building. Either ride out that initial wave or, better, jump on them early with a score.
lfd is straight-up correct – we don’t have the forecheck we had last year. And I expect zone entries are going to be difficult – they will work to knock us off the puck early and often.
The Foegele story is a subtext that could be interesting. That is who Wilson was chirping at the bench – and Oshie effectively challenged him to a fight over the summer. A lot of intimidation is in play. I hope Foegele spent the summer taking some boxing lessons. If “The Code” counts for something – and it should – it should be Foegele vs. Oshie (with Wilson agitating). And if “The Code” does count for something, Foegele should be the one to skate up to Oshie before a puck drop and tell him, “It’s go time”. One fight – win/lose/draw – settles the bad blood between the two over the hit, the injury, the summertime challenge. “The Code” is an interesting thing.
I love the “code”. That’s how we settle things on the frozen pond in my woods. Usually followed by a Labatt. 🙂
Oh, how I wish this game wouldn’t come for a few weeks more. But it is here today.
Are we ready for it?
We shall see.
While I think raleightj is accurate in his description of “the Code” and how it will likely play out, I don’t think it will play out in that way exactly. At least, I hope not.
I believe that Roddy sees the situation coming. He saw it coming with Svech and Ovi. He had Svech taking the taunts and the cheap shots while trying to play his game. He hoped the refs would call something, but they didn’t. Svech tried doing it Roddy’s way, until he no longer could. There was no one to effectively intercede. And Svech has no ability to defend himself. He spotted Ovi 50 pounds and has a glass jaw. And in addition to being prodigiously talented, Ovi is a scumbag goon. I do hope I haven’t hurt anyone’s sensitivity, but I have no respect for Ovi. None at all.
With Oshie we have a different story. Oshie is not a scumbag goon. He’s a tough guy. He is capable of cheap shots. But he loves the Game. While he has talent, he (unlike Ovi) has had to work hard to get where he is. As such, he (unlike Ovi) respects other players. Oshie and Fogele play similar games.
While Oshie is compelled to follow the code, and the fans, his teammates, as well as the local press want him to exact revenge, Oshie felt the foul. He watched the video thousands of times (I would have) and knows what happened to him. Fogele wasn’t trying to injure him.
Oshie knows it.
But still, the code must be respected and followed.
Roddy knows this too. He understands the code. He understands players like Oshie and Fogele. He understands goons like Ovi and Gudas and Wilson and Hathaway, et al.
I believe that Roddy has been planning for this with key players on my beloved Canes for weeks. I am certain that anticipating tonight has had an impact on Fogele’s play up until now.
Fogele will be told to play as if this is just another game. Oshie will either challenge Fogele to a fight early on or he won’t. If he challenges Fogele, he risks being declared by the refs to be an instigator. They didn’t make that declaration with Ovi last year, because he was Ovi. Even though the hapless Svech challenged Ovi, the rule covers that. Ovi deserved the instigator declaration and the draconian penalties that come with it. I doubt that Oshie would be granted the dispensation. I think Oshie is smart enough to know this. But Ovi runs the team (ask Barry Trotz). So if he wants Oshie to challenge Fogele, so be it.
But if Ovi has a smart attack (he doesn’t come by it naturally) he will order plan B. Plan B: everybody takes runs at Fogele until he can’t get up without a gurney. The crowd will love it.
Unlike last season, we have people who will intercede. We have Wilson’s number. We will push that button to provoke him. And so on…
Our players are all ready to go when a teammate needs help. Remember McKeown in a fight with Hathaway? Poetry in all that it said to me about Roddy’s marching orders to his men.
Roddy is ready. His young men are as ready as they can be for this challenge to their collective character. It is up to Fogele to trust Roddy. It is up to Fogele to trust his teammates.
As raleightj says, it is going to be interesting.
Canescountry.com referenced this article today. https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/capitals/todd-reirden-still-fired-canes-coach-unprofessional-exchange-tom-wilson
Too bad the code doesn’t allow the coaches to face off at center ice in these situations. Foegele should challenge Oshie, fight it out with him and then take the punishment as instigator. Clearly Reirden will encourage any and all intimidation to Foegele. His spending the rest of the night in hockey purgatory makes a lot of sense for his when looking at the entirety of this season.
Just talked with the father of one of the players. Foegele is scared sh!tless and that is why he is playing so poorly. He agreed with my perspective that Foegele should challenge Oshie, fight regardless of outcome, and settle it – win, lose, or draw.
But Foegele is playing scared right now. Has been all preseason.
Scared of what? Tonight was his best game in a while.
No matter how high in hockey you go hockey parents are a bad source of information.