Regular Season, Game 23: Hurricanes v. Buffalo Sabres

It's time for the Canes to get a win and the Buffalo Sabres are a perfect team to beat to break the three-game losing streak. The offense came alive in the third period with two goals in just over one minute, but then allowed a goal 19 seconds later that ended up being the game-winning goal. The hope is that Ethan Bear will be back on the ice tonight after exiting COVID protocol earlier this week. He'll be a welcome return to the lineup if he does play. The Sabres are coming off a loss to Florida after blowing a 4-1 lead. This game was supposed to feature the top three picks in the 2018 Draft facing off with Rasmus Dahlin coming into town, but it appears Andrei Svechnikov will miss tonight's game. Jeff Skinner also makes the return to Raleigh yet again. He's among the team leaders in goals and points along with Tage Thompson and Kyle Okposo. With Aaron Dell playing in Florida and Craig Anderson on the shelf for a little bit, I'd imagine newly-acquired goalie Malcolm Subban is going to get the start for the Sabres while Antti Raanta is going to get the start for the Canes. It's way too early for this to be considered a much win game, but it really feels like the Canes need two points after their recent struggles and with a five-game road trip looming against some quality opponents. I'm likely going to miss most of the game with some family plans, but I'll try to do my best to follow it as it's going. 

1st Period

Scoring

(CAR) 2:16- Teuvo Teravainen (5) (assisted by Sebastian Aho (13) & Nino Niederreiter (4))

(CAR) 13:59- Martin Necas (5) (assisted by Seth Jarvis (5) & Vincent Trocheck (10))

(BUF) 19:28- Henri Jokiharju (1) (assisted by Jeff Skinner (8) & Victor Olofsson (10))

Thoughts

This is the Canes time I'm used to seeing. They got the better of the play in the first period. They got off to an early start with the goal from Turbo, who waited no time for Goal 101. Then, Martin Necas scored on his patented wrap-around, which was extremely close to being a save-of-the-year candidate. I'm not super concerned with the late period goal from the Sabres, though the dislike of Jeff Skinner getting an assist made me laugh a little. I hope this isn't going to last for just one period. This momentum needs to carry into the second period because seeing the team score is fun and a welcome change after the last three games. 

2nd Period

Scoring

(CAR) 3:44- Ian Cole (1) (assisted by Vincent Trocheck (11))

(CAR) 4:08- Vincent Trocheck (5) (unassisted)

(CAR) 11:42- Nino Niederreiter (5) (assisted by Sebastian Aho (14))

(BUF) 19:34- Zemgus Girgensons (5) (assisted by Jacob Bryson (6) & Kyle Okposo (11))

Thoughts

Vincent Trocheck had quite a period, though it is going to be his last. We all have opinions about this type of hit and while it is very dangerous, I'm not completely sold on it being worthy of a game misconduct. Before that though, the Canes scored three times with Ian Cole getting his first as a Hurricane, Trocheck scoring 24 seconds later, and then Nino scoring on a breakaway to give Aho another assist tonight. The Trocheck major penalty led to a deflection goal for the Sabres, but it doesn't really feel like it's going to matter all that much. The Canes will still have to kill just under three minutes to start the period, but that's no big deal with a three-goal lead. 

3rd Period

Scoring

(CAR) 1:09- Teuvo Teravainen (6) SH (assisted by Sebastian Aho (15))

Thoughts

The Canes finally broke through short-handed for the first time this season with Turbo getting his second goal of the night. Other than this, the Canes shut it down and finally got back in the win column. Antti Raanta made some great saves down the stretch to keep Buffalo out of the net. There were a couple times where Turbo almost netted his third of the night, but I'm sure he'll be happy with the two goals and two points in the standings. This was the complete effort we've been missing from this group in the last few weeks, so I'm happy with the performance tonight. 

Canes' Three Stars of the Game

Third Star- Vincent Trocheck (Goal, 2 Assists)

He only played two periods tonight, but he was very good in those two periods. He helped set up the Necas goal, won the faceoff that resulted in the Cole clapper from the point, then scored just 24 seconds later. His night will be remembered for the boarding penalty, but it shouldn't overshadow the night he produced during his time on the ice. 

Second Star- Sebastian Aho (3 Assists)

We should just come to expect that Sebastian Aho is going to show up every night, but tonight was all about his ability to set up goals. He recorded the primary assist on the opening goal and then the only assist on two more goals in the game. He's starting the month hot and I hope this can carry over into the games coming up against the western Canadian teams. 

First Star- Teuvo Teravainen (2 Goals)

With his two goals tonight, he's scored three goals in the last four periods, all at different strengths. I don't consider +/- to be the most reliable judge of play, but Turbo finished the night as a +5. He waited a while to score his 100th goal but wasted no time getting 101 and 102. This was one of his best games of the season, so hopefully, this is the beginning of a hot streak for him as well. 

Final Thoughts

The Sabres started the season hot, but they've been struggling since. They were the perfect opponent to get the Canes rolling after a tough loss to the Senators a few nights ago. Four players had multi-point nights, but the star really felt like it was Teuvo Teravainen. The magic that he and Aho have together is special and they have to be one of the most dynamic duos in the entire league. Huge shoutout to Ian Cole for scoring his first with the team and Antti Raanta for stopping 32 shots. The Canes were actually outshot tonight, which doesn't seem like it happens all that often. The non-COVID illness is going to be something to keep an eye on as the team heads out on another long road trip. This trip is going to be tough, not just because of the travel, but the teams they are playing are hot. Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, and Minnesota are four of the five opponents, which is a formidable group for sure. It was honestly just nice not having to sit through a third period where things are tight. Scoring six goals should win you a game every night and the Canes were by far the better team. Time for my sleep schedule to go back to being crazy.