Regular Season, Game 16: Hurricanes at Los Angeles Kings

This game against Los Angeles seems like just another game on the schedule but for the Canes organization, today is Decision Day. Seth Jarvis will be playing in his ninth game today, which isn't a major milestone in his career, but this is the last game he can play without a year being used in his rookie deal. The Canes can opt to send him back to juniors in Portland before they're game on Monday, but he can't be called back up until Portland's season is finished. Or they could decide to keep him on the team. Jarvis has played very well and seen some time on the first line with Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov in the last few games. He's been huge on this road trip, scoring the game-winning goals in each of the last two games. This afternoon's opponent is the Los Angeles Kings, a team that has played a little bit better than some expected. They last played on Wednesday night against the Washington Capitals, losing 2-0. I would expect Frederik Andersen to get the start for the Canes and Derek Stepan will draw back into the lineup after being a healthy scratch with Steven Lorentz getting the day off. For the Kings, this is the front end of a back-to-back, so it's up in the air whether Jonathan Quick or Cal Peterson will start in the net. The Canes and Kings last played in January 2020, with the Canes winning 2-0 with James Reimer outdueling Jack Campbell in the net. It's been even longer since the Canes traveled to STAPLES Center back on October 15, 2019, another 2-0 win for the Canes with Petr Mrazek beating Jack Campbell. The times have changed and the rosters look very different. I always hate non-7p games for the Canes, so this game being in the afternoon doesn't make me feel great, but the Canes are hot. Hopefully, they can remain perfect on this trip and dethrone the Kings. 

1st Period

Scoring

(CAR) 3:00- Seth Jarvis (4) (assisted by Sebastian Aho (10) & TonyDeAngelo (12))

(LAK) 4:38- Blake Lizotte (1) (assisted by Brandon Lemieux (1) & Alex Edler (5))

(CAR) 4:48- Derek Stepan (3) (assisted by Jordan Martinook (4) & Brady Skjei (3))

(LAK) 12:39- Adrian Kempe (6) (assisted by Alex Edler (6) & Anze Kopitar (9))

Thoughts

If Rod Brind'Amour didn't like how the team played in the first periods against Vegas and Anaheim, I don't think he's going to like this period much either. It was certainly a sloppy period for the Canes. They got on the board first with Seth Jarvis scoring his fourth of the season in a crucial game for him. The lead didn't last long when Blake Lizotte scored on a rebound, but the tie only last ten seconds before Derek Stepan deflected a shot home off his skate after Jordan Martinook tipped the initial shot. Adrian Kempe tied it a little over midway through the period to tie it and it looked like they'd taken the lead, but it was called back for goalie interference with 20 seconds left in the period. Los Angeles looked like the faster team after the Jarvis goal and they carried that through the entire period. I didn't think the Canes played well with the puck at. They'll have about 1:40 of a penalty to kill, so the kill is going to be important. 

2nd Period

Scoring

(CAR) 6:16- Sebastian Aho (8) (assisted by Andrei Svechnikov (12) & Frederik Andersen (2))

(LAK) 9:33- Adrian Kempe (7) SH (unassisted)

(CAR) 11:20- Jesper Kotkaniemi (3) (assisted by Derek Stepan (2) & Jaccob Slavin (9))

(LAK) 18:00- Brandon Lemieux (3) (assisted by Matthew Roy (4))

(CAR) 19:28- Martin Necas (4) (assisted by Nino Niederreiter (1) & Jordan Staal (5))

Thoughts

The saying "trading goals" is often overused, but that has literally what has been happened so far. The Canes and Kings have alternated goals for two periods now. The Canes don't seem to like playing with the lead today. This game has been ugly for the defenses of both teams. Andrei Svechnikov, despite his assist on the Aho goal, has not played well and it was his pass that was intercepted for Adrian Kempe's short-handed goal. Those have been the biggest negatives today. The positive is the ability for the offense to respond after giving up a goal. Both Kotkaniemi and Necas scored within two minutes of the Kings tying the game. The Canes have been a great third period team so far this season, their efforts against Philly and St. Louis notwithstanding. The defense needs to get the job done and the offense needs to create some separation for the first time this afternoon. 

3rd Period

Scoring

None

Thoughts

The Canes were outshot 18-2 in the third period and 43-20 for the entire game. It may have been ugly, but the Kings didn't score in the third period. The defense bent but it certainly didn't break in the third. Andersen was spectacular with his save on Brandon Lemieux being the biggest of them all. I couldn't tell you who had the Canes' shots in the third period, but I can tell you that quite a few guys laid some big hits. This wasn't how they drew this game up but when it came down to it, the third period was exactly what it needed to be. The fact that no one scored benefitted the Canes, obviously. but it wasn't for a lack of trying from Los Angeles. It was a heavyweight bout that the Canes won despite taking a lot of heavy punches. 

Canes' Three Stars of the Game

Third Star- Martin Necas (Game-winning Goal)

As back and forth as the game had been through the first 39:30, Necas' goal was absolutely huge. In hindsight, it turned out to be the game-winner, but we didn't know that when he scored it before the second intermission. It was also a beautiful goal on top of all of it. He's been dynamite since returning to the lineup and this was a huge marker for the team today. 

Second Star- Derek Stepan (Goal, Assist)

Speaking of guys returning to the lineup, Stepan played great in his first game on this road trip. His goal was a fortunate bounce off his skate, but it was an immediate answer after the Kings tied it the first time. He then added an assist on the Kotkaniemi goal and did a nice jump to get out of the way of the puck. The fourth line played great this afternoon and Stepan was the ringleader of the group. 

First Star- Sebastian Aho (Goal, Assist)

With Andrei Svechnikov having an off game, Aho needed to be the superstar that he is and today, he was exactly that. He set up the Jarvis goal to open the game then benefitted from a bounce off a Kings' defender early in the second period. He was tough on the puck and made all the small plays to ensure a win. Even his decision to flip the puck out with three seconds left instead of going to the empty net took a high IQ. 

Final Thoughts

The Canes moved to 3-0 on their road trip so far and they've won each game a different way. Vegas it was an overwhelming third period to win 4-2. Anaheim was a gritty 2-1 win with a goal late. This was a nightmare of a game that was back and forth all afternoon that culminated in a scoreless third period. The single constant was the Canes allowing no goals in the third period in those three contests. Outside of the first period against Florida, this was arguably Frederik Andersen's worst start and even he was excellent in the third period. Five different Canes scored goals and 13 players recorded a point, including Andersen. Jarvis scored yet again and I'd imagine he'll be on the team the rest of the season. The fourth line of the Kings gave the Canes fits all afternoon, but they were able to get the job done to move to 14-2-0 on the season. Rod Brind'Amour wasn't happy with the effort tonight, which is completely understandable, but is says a lot about how good this team is that they can win on their worst days. I'm not sure if this will be enough for Raanta to get the start against San Jose on Monday, but that's a bridge to cross when we get there. For tonight, we should all take a deep breath and enjoy the win.