Following same form as game 1, below are quick hitter type notes on the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators on Saturday night.
At the team level
In total, the game was a modest step down from the season-opener. The Canes were not horrible, but I thought the Predators were the better team by a small margin. Combine that with an unsuccessful extended 5-on-3 power play early and a bad turnover that led directly to a goal against, one would figure this to be a close road loss. But the Hurricanes battled in a hard-fought game and Frederik Andersen was a difference-maker on a night when both goalies were good.
Frederik Andersen
He was the story of the game on the Canes side. Whereas I rated him as ‘meh’ in the season-opener, he was very good on Saturday. A goal against in the final minute kept his stat line from being magnificent, but he was solid all night even acrobatic on a few occasions when needed. My early impression of Andersen especially as relates to transitioning from the prior goalies can be summarized in my tweet during the game:
After 3 years of Mrazek and then a year of Nedeljkovic who could be Mrazek X2 for movement/activity, watching Andersen almost looks like he isn't doing anything. Going to take a little while to adjust to difference style-wise. #LetsGoCanes
— Canes and Coffee (@CanesandCoffee) October 17, 2021
The difference itself is not surprising. It exactly matches the book on Andersen, Mrazek and Nedeljkovic. But I actually am surprised at how striking and dramatic the difference is to watch even knowing it was coming.
Derek Stepan
If two games are an indication of what is to follow for the rest of the season, the addition of Derek Stepan could quietly prove to be sneaky good beyond realized. He is adds another heady penalty killer to the mix who has a ton of experience playing against elite power plays. Maybe most significantly, I think he solidifies a fourth line defensively. The Canes fourth line has at times been overmatched in games or for stretches in recent years. And early indications are that he could also boost fourth line scoring. His $1.35 million salary is maybe a modest premium for a fourth line slot, but the reasons it makes sense are front and center so far.
A work in progress with the forward combinations
In Thursday’s opener, the Canes had three lines clicking pretty well with only Aho’s top line not going. Saturday saw a bit more wheels spinning to the point where Brind’Amour shuffled the deck a bit in the third period looking for a spark. One of the challenges with Aho’s line has been Kotkaniemi’s sometimes impatience with the puck on his stick. On his first shift and then on another later two, he had three (mini) turnovers with the puck on his stick. None were the bad variety but rather were the variety that were safe plays to play the puck forward under a bit of pressure. But the result is still the same meaning defending instead of maintaining puck possession. Playing with Necas and Aho, ideal would be to have the other two playing more with the puck on there stick as soon into gaining possession as possible with Kotkaniemi in more of a receive and shoot role. Again, it is only two games, but he is off to a bit of a slow start. It will be interesting to see how Brind’Amour starts for forward lines on Monday.
Brady Skjei / Brett Pesce
Brett Pesce had a bad pinch that led to an odd many rush early, but in total had a stellar game making plays defensively and also making a few heady plays to advance the puck for scoring chances. Brady Skjei looked a bit more mobile like usual after being a bit slow to react and getting caught flat footed in the opener. He made a really good play on Svechnikov’s turnover even though it still led to a goal against. He recovered quickly and was able to get a quick stride and lean into Ryan Johansen. The result was quickly taking away any ability for Johansen to push back right or pull the puck to his forehand to shoot. For as many tougher saves as Andersen made, it was odd that he was beaten on a backhand where he really only had to take away angle and glove high,
Jesper Fast and Jordan Staal’s line
Fast is off to a hot start with two goals in two games. As a veteran, he seems unlikely to suddenly find a significantly higher gear scoring-wise for the entirety of the season, but it is great to see that line contributing offensively.
Andrei Svechnikov
As a player who is still young and has buckled a bit when he hit slow stretches in the past, his quick start with three goals (including an empty-netter) in two games is meaningful. Svechnikov is at his best when he is just playing and not pressing. Especially after his costly turnover, it was great to see him capitalize on what I would call a medium grade scoring chance just flat beating the goalie.
Next up for the Hurricanes is a Thursday road tilt against off-season contract nemesis Montreal.
Go Canes!
The first two games sure have been fun to watch, and the Canes came out on top both times, so overall things are good.
Look at teams like Chicago, who made huge investments but have given up goals within the first 20 seconds of play twice now (including one from our old friend Dougie, who scored his first as a Devil within 20 seconds of playing for them).
A hallmark of a good team is finding a way to steal victory even if they don’t deserve it, and the Canes sure did that last night.
It came down to stellar goaltending and having that game breaking talent we didn’t have during the lean years, + some puck luck.
Nice surprises so far:
DeAngelo – has played physical and smart.
TT – that guy has just been tearing it up so far. Shows us that we could’ve even overcome the Lightning last year with him fully healthy in the lineup.
Fast – he’s off to a fast start!
Svech – great to see him starting strong, and that interview he gave during game 1, where he really praised the area and the fans was great.
The PK, I think 7 for 7 or 8 for 8 so far. Gleason sure has done a good job there.
Disappointments so far:
Kotkaniemi: I think Montreal will be the ones laughing in the end. I thought that offer sheet was a big mitake and the kid has dont nothing to change that so far. But it’s early days, and he still got potential, too early to judge. I think next game is a big chance for him, playing against the Canadiens.
Aho – it’s to be expected, he takes 10 to 20 games to kick into gear.
The PP – slow passing, indecisiveness and ultimately lack of results. I guess it makes sense given the new faces, but given how well the PK has worked out I think it must come down to things like systems, coaching, and better player commitment. If the Canes are to continue stealing games, their PP must improve.
I’d like to see Seth Jarvis and Smith inserted in the lineup against the Canadiens.
I thought the Preds outplayed the Canes by a wide margin last night. Ugly turnovers and not quite there to match Nashville’s effort for a lot of the game. Anderson was outstanding. Stole them a game.
Both Necas and Kotkaniemi have been disappointing. I’m confident Necas will get it going, but I can see why Montreal was frustrated with Kotkaniemi. Looks like one of the “all the tools, but no tool box” kind of player. Poor instincts and not a lot of desire. Probably would do him good to play in the AHL and try to be “the man,” but there is no way a $6M player is going to the A. Brind’Amour has his work cut out with him.
Probably be a good idea to get Jarvis and Smith in there, but when? Brind’Amour rarely changes a lineup after a win.
To breezy and lessthanstable re: disappointment. KK is playing a new position with new linemates and a new set of expectations from a new coach. Tons of changes for the player. 2 games is too soon to be disappointed. Add to the mix this may be another traditional slow Aho start. Everything adds up to the whole line being below mid-season expectations. RBA is also likely to nurse KK along similar to Necas and Svech in their rookie seasons.
Breezy and lessthan… both have made appropriate comments IMO. Not much I can add except 1)our goaltender won the game for us, 2) let’s give KK some more time to get going, and 3) I don’t think there’s any place to put Jarvis right now.
Anderson – wow. That was seriously good. I wonder if we end up going 1A/1B, but that was impressive. We were outplayed and he stoled a games for us. IMO Necas has been doing okay, he had the assist on svech’s goal. The one who has not showed up yet is KK. There are others not scoring yet but a lot of effort there. I just don’t notice KK doing much, loosing the puck, etc. I could see bringing in Jarvis in place of KK but maybe that just hurts the confidence of a new player who needs more time.
Svech knew he messed up but he kept going, no quit. Great attitude for a young player. Skjei played better as well. He did the best he could on svechs mistake. Pretty happy with our D. I think Stepan makes the 4th line dangerous. I think that will be a strength through the season. Our PK looks strong as well. PP is not clicking yet. There is a ton of talent on this team.
Nashville matches up well against us, it’s always a struggle for both teams. Good teams find a way to win.