Carolina Hurricanes Month in Review: February 2022

The month of February was supposed to be a three-week break for the Olympics. There weren't games scheduled at the beginning of the season until the end of the month. Instead, there were some games that needed to be made up and the schedule quickly became loaded. There were some high-quality opponents on the ledger, especially early in the month. The All-Star break helped to break some of it up, but the games came fast and furious in the month. With a lead in the division, the focus was going to be finding a way to extend the distance between the Rangers and the Penguins. This is a look back at February for the Carolina Hurricanes. 

The Month in Review

Before the fun of February could begin, Sebastian Aho, Frederik Andersen, and Rod Brind'Amour represented the team in the All-Star game for the Metropolitan Division. They all had great showings too. Aho proved he was the league's most accurate shooter, knocking out all four targets in four shots. He also scored a goal, while Andersen backstopped the Metro to two wins with Brind'Amour behind the bench. The players won their share of $1 million by beating both Western Conference teams. 

This month had two very distinctive halves to it. The post-break schedule began with a four-game road trip beginning in Canada. The Leafs held a 2-1 lead through two periods, but the Canes scored quickly twice in the third period to take a lead. They weren't able to hold the lead as Mitch Marner scored late in the third period to force overtime, then again in overtime to hand the Canes an overtime loss in a game they probably should've earned two. The next night they were in Ottawa against a team they've struggled against all season. The Senators jumped on them early and held a 4-0 lead through 40 minutes. While they'd score three times in the third period to bring it within one, it was far too little, far too late as they dropped this one in regulation. These two losses didn't feel great going into Boston for the second time in about a month. While they were missing both Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron, this wasn't going to be an easy game. The Canes made it look way easier than it should've been. Aho scored twice as the Canes won 6-0. To finish the road trip, the Canes went to Minnesota for their first meeting of the season with the Wild. It was the first time they'd be seeing Kirill Kaprizov in person and he didn't disappoint. Much like with Ottawa, the Canes spotted the Wild three goals and weren't able to recover. Andrei Svechnikov scored twice to pull them within one goal, but it wasn't enough as the Canes dropped this one 3-2 to finish the road trip 1-2-1. After a few days off, the Canes hosted the Panthers for the third time, this time on TNT. The Canes held a 2-1 lead before the Panthers pulled their goalie, but couldn't hold the lead as Sam Reinhart scored with the extra attacker to tie it and force another overtime. Aaron Ekblad buried a goal just 16 seconds into the overtime to give Florida the win and the fanbase was not happy. 

After a disappointing start to February and an especially upsetting loss to the Panthers on national television, it was time for a quick turnaround. It began with a game against the Predators, which I was in attendance for. The Canes jumped ahead 2-0 early in the second period, then countered a Predators goal with just one second left in the period to take a 3-1 lead into the intermission. They added a fourth on the power play in the third to put them in a great position. The ghosts of Florida returned as the Preds scored twice with Saros pulled to bring it within one goal with plenty of time left. Svechnikov buried an empty netter to make it 5-3 and snap a cold streak. The next road trip sent the team to Pennsylvania for two afternoon tilts. The first game was the first meeting with the Penguins for sole possession of the Metro. The game was very back and forth, with the Canes scoring once in the first and nine seconds into the second, then the Pens scoring twice in the second. For the second straight period, the Canes opened scoring nine seconds into the period and added fourth on the power play later in the third. Despite a goal from the Pens, the Canes held on to win 4-3 and take over first place. Brendan Smith left the game in the first period after blocking a puck with his head. This was the first time in NHL history that a team scored less than ten seconds into a period twice in a game. They'd head to Philadelphia the next day for another meeting with the Flyers. It was another back-and-forth affair as the Canes couldn't hold onto a one-goal lead late in the third period to head to overtime yet again. In overtime, Vincent Trocheck sauced one to Brett Pesce to end it and help the Canes sweep Pennsylvania. Despite the win, Tony DeAngelo left the game early with a midsection injury and it was reported he'd be out for at least a month. With both Smith and DeAngelo out, Jalen Chatfield re-entered the lineup. The team returned home for a game with Columbus and they were simply dominant. They outshot the Blue Jackets 50-19 and outscored them 4-0 to earn their fourth shutout of the season and their second this month. To finish the month, they faced McDavid and Draisaitl for the second and final time. Just like the first time, Andersen shut them both down, holding them both scoreless as the Canes' superstars powered them to a 2-1 win. 

The team finished the month 6-2-2, making up for a rough start by ending the month on a five-game win streak. They hold a four-point lead in the Metro over the Penguins, who they'll still face twice more this season. Andrei Svechnikov led the team in goals (6) and points (12) for the month, with Teuvo Teravainen finishing right behind him with 11, leading the team in assists (7), and finishing the month on an eight-game point streak after returning from injury against Boston. Sebastian Aho also has a six-game point streak. Frederik Andersen won five of his eight starts, earning points in seven of them, and allowing just over two goals per game (2.10). The power play is operating at just over 25% (25.16%), fifth in the league, after going eight for 31 (25.8%) in ten games. The penalty kill continues to be the best in the league. They allowed just two goals on 38 chances (94.7%) to jump over 90% for the season (90.22%). 

Moment of the Month- Aho's Between-the Legs Goal on a No-Look Feed Against Boston (2/10)

It was hard to find an individual play from the month because this isn't a team known for being too flashy, but this play was something special. The highlight of the play was the finish from Sebastian Aho with his stick between his legs, but the spectacular part of the play was two no-look passes. Andrei Svechnikov started the play by finding Teuvo Teravainen with a pass while going the other direction. Then, Teravainen spins a pass without looking, but he somehow knows where Aho is to find him with a yawning net. It was one in an avalanche of goals that night. It was his second goal of the night and put the Canes up 5-0 at the time. The goal isn't a game-changer, but it was one for the books that highlight the magic of the SAT line. 

Honorable Mention- Brett Pesce's Overtime Winner at Philadelphia (2/21)

Game of the Month- 6-0 W at Boston (2/10)

This is the second month in a row that I've had a game against Boston in this spot. It's not because I like picking on the Bruins, but it certainly is fun when they play like this. Last month it was in honor of Willie O'Ree's jersey retirement. This time around, there was no motivation, it was just personal. Maybe it wasn't that big, but this was even more one-sided than their tilt in January. The Bruins were missing Marchand (suspension) and Bergeron (injury), but they wouldn't have made any difference in this game. This was total domination from start to finish. Frederik Andersen shut out the Bruins for the second time this season. Aho scored twice, Turbo and Svech recorded three points, Staal scored a goal, and things were fun. The Bruins didn't mount much of a threat at any point. The win gave the Canes the season sweep of the Bruins by a combined score of 16-1. It was a fitting end to a series with a team the Canes have struggled with. 

Three Stars of the Month

Third Star- Frederik Andersen (5-1-2, 2.10 GAA, .931 SV% in 8 Starts)

If not for the play of Igor Shesterkin in New York, Andersen might be the front-runner for the Vezina. His totals for the month aren't going to jump off the table, but he finishes February in the top ten in wins, save percentage, and goals against average. He also finished the month with two shutouts. He's been one of the most consistent players on the team and this was a strong month. 

Second Star- Andrei Svechnikov (6 Goals, 6 Assists, 12 Points in 10 Games)

He led the team in goals for the month, but that only tells a little bit of the story. He got the job done at even strength, but it was his play on the power play that was even bigger. He factored into six of the eight goals on the man advantage, tied for the third-most in the league in February, and his three power play goals were tied for second. He was a man on a mission this month and one of their most consistent forwards.  

First Star- Teuvo Teravainen (4 Goals, 7 Assists, 11 points in 8 Games)

While right behind Svechnikov in points for the team, he finished with the highest points-per-game total on the team after coming back from his injury and playing two fewer games. The only player better on the power plan than Svech was Turbo. His seven points on the power play tied him for first in the league. He's on an eight-game point streak since returning and he doesn't show signs of slowing down. 

Preview for March

The Canes are going to be super busy this month. There are 16 games on the schedule against 12 different teams, meaning they'll play more than half the days in the month. Nine of the games will be at home, while seven will be on the road. They'll have two different four-game homestands (3/4-12, 3/18-24) during the month with two games on the road in between. There are four back-to-backs spread out during the month (3/3-4, 3/12-13, 3/17-18, 3/28-29) and the first three sets include travel. Seven of the game are against division opponents. 

Games to Watch in March

3/3, 3/28 at Washington, 3/18 v. Washington

While they aren't threatening too much for the division lead, these games are guaranteed to be tough. The fact that they play three times this month means any wounds that are opened will be fresh each time they meet. Meeting three times in a month feels like a problem with the scheduling, but they are bound to be fun affairs. They lost when the Caps came to town, so they'll need to get a measure of revenge.

3/4 v. Pittsburgh, 3/13 at Pittsburgh

The first meeting in February was a hard-fought game. They're the top two teams in the Metro for the time being. These are the last two meetings between the two for the season, so there won't be any other chances for the two to get points on the other. Winning these two games is going to be crucial for the Canes if they want to win the Metro. 

3/20 v. New York (R)

We didn't get to see Igor Shesterkin when the Rangers came to town in January. The Canes scored six times on Georgiev, but it isn't the same thing. Hopefully, we'll get the matchup between Andersen and Shesterkin, which should be the battle right now for the Vezina. Andersen has outdueled every other high-caliber goalie in the league thus far this season. There likely won't be any DeAngelo for this game, so there won't be any of that energy, but that shouldn't take away from two great teams coming together.

3/22 v. Tampa Bay, 3/29 at Tampa Bay

Speaking of goalies that Andersen has beaten, the Canes will play Vasilevskiy twice a week apart at the end of the month. They've played the two-time defending champs once already this season, beating them in overtime in Tampa Bay on a shot from Martin Necas. Andersen only faced 18 shots in that game, but I don't think things are going to be that easy. They're two of the front-runners to meet in the Eastern Conference Finals right now, so this could potentially be a preview of things to come.