Regular Season, Game 6: Hurricanes v. Boston Bruins

The Canes put their perfect record on the line against a Boston Bruins team that has been a thorn in the Canes' side for the last few seasons. The Bruins swept the Canes in the Eastern Conference Final in 2019 and then won in five games the following season in the first round in the bubble. They possess arguably the best first line in all of hockey, dubbed "The Perfection Line", and a strong defensive core. The Bruins are on the back-end of a back-to-back after losing to the Florida Panthers 4-1 last night. The Canes beat the Toronto Maple Leafs Monday night after another strong performance from Frederik Andersen, who is set to make his sixth consecutive start tonight. The lines are going to remain the same as the end of the game Monday. Linus Ullmark took the loss last night, so the expectation is that Jeremy Swayman will be the starter for the Bruins. The Canes need to get off to a quick start because playing from behind against Boston is not a good strategy to have. This will be the toughest challenge to open the season for sure.

1st Period

Scoring

(CAR) 15:16- Tony DeAngelo (1) (assisted by Brady Skjei (2) & Vincent Trocheck (4))

Thoughts

This game definitely feels like it isn't a normal game for either team. This has been far more physical than I expected from two pretty skilled teams. Right off the draw, Ethan Bear lays out Brad Marchand and the hits just kept coming. Each team had some really good chances, but it felt for the most part that they were more focused on not making the first mistake. The Canes jumped on the board first after Vincent Trocheck missed in close, passed it back to the point, and it ended up on Tony DeAngelo's stick. He then put it on the net and it definitely was deflected by someone out front, maybe Brandon Carlo or Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and it snuck past Jeremy Swayman to give the Canes the lead. Carolina held possession for most of the remaining time in the period to preserve their lead. The Staal line continues to lead the charge, but the contributions and chances have been all up and down the lineup. I'd like to see some more pucks in the back of the net for the Canes to give them a bigger cushion.

2nd Period

Scoring

(CAR) 13:35- Nino Neiderreiter (3) PP (assisted by Brett Pesce (4) and Frederik Andersen (1))

Thoughts

It doesn't matter how you get it, all that matters is that it goes in and it counts. Nino's tally on the power play was very unconventional, but it still counts in the books and the Canes have a two-goal lead going into the third period. Things got a lot chippier during the period with a lot of penalties being called. Minus the Nino goal, no one else was able to breakthrough with the man-advantage. Jordan Staal took a poorly timed interference call in the offensive zone and right as they were about to kill it, Jordan Martinook was called for cross-checking after Charlie Coyle started something and Martinook retaliated, giving Boston 20 seconds with a two man-advantage. After finishing the Staal penalty, Patrice Bergeron tripped Sebastian Aho and even things up on the ice. This was Boston's prime opportunity to do something in the period, but they couldn't capitalize. The Canes had chances throughout the period, but it was the ugliest one that beat Swayman.

3rd Period

Scoring

(CAR) 19:35- Andrei Svechnikov (6) EN (assisted by Teuvo Teravainen (5) and Sebastian Aho (4))

Thoughts

This is the type of game that you really feel you have to win because this is what playoff hockey is all about. The third period was all about the defense and being able to keep "The Perfection Line" quiet. They gave them way too many chances on the power play, including a 5-on-3 for just about one minute, but the kill stayed perfect and kept Boston as a team scoreless. The defense felt suffocating, even when Boston was getting shots on Andersen. The nail in the coffin was the empty-netter from Andrei Svechnikov, allowing the Canes to remain perfect to open the season. This was the most complete effort of the season thus far and marked the first shutout of this young season.

Canes Three Stars of the Game

Third Star- Tony DeAngelo (1st Goal as a Canes and 1st by a D-Man)

This was very much a team effort, but for DeAngelo to score his first for the team, at even strength no less, was big for him and this team. He's been great on the power play thus far, but even strength was going to be a huge question. I thought he was fine defensively, but you're paying him to play offense mostly. Add that it's the game-winning goal and the first from a defenseman and it makes the signing look a little better.

Second Star- Nino Neiderreiter (PP Goal)

It was unconventional for sure, but it counts and that's all I care about. I thought Nino was good all night. He plays on the hottest line on the team and contributed in a big way with his goal. Give major credit to the skate of Derek Forbort, but this isn't soccer so he doesn't get credit on the scoresheet. Give me fuel, give me fire, give me Nino Niederreiter.

First Star- Frederik Andersen (33-Save Shutout, Assist)

Honestly, he deserves all three stars in this game, but this will have to do. He was the most important penalty killer, provided a point on the power play, and kept Boston off the board for 60 minutes, which is a hard thing to do. There were some close calls, but Andersen stood on his head all night. His poke check to prevent a goal late may have been his biggest play of the night. He made history by starting 6-0-0 with a new team, but he's earned every bit of the praise he is getting for his start.

Final Thoughts

The team made franchise history by winning their first six games of the season. Frederik Andersen is 6-0-0 with a new team, the second player in NHL history to do so. The Canes shut out the Boston Bruins. Andrei Svechnikov and, as of right now, Sebastian Aho extended their point streaks to six games. All of these things are great things, but they won't be able to celebrate this for long since they have to turn around and play a winless Chicago team tomorrow. I would think Antti Raanta will make his Canes' debut tomorrow to give Andersen a game off, but who knows for sure. This is the most satisfied I've been after a win so far, even more than the Montreal game, so this feels really good. The next two games are against the only teams in the league with wins. These could be trap games with how great the team has played to start the year. Let's enjoy tonight, but let's also be ready for tomorrow.