Regular Season, Game 55: Hurricanes v. Pittsburgh Penguins

After a bad 4-0 loss last night with the offense generating absolutely nothing, there's only one way for the Canes to go and that's up. It doesn't help that tonight's opponent, the Pittsburgh Penguins, is the best road team in the league. They lead the league in road wins as they come into the Canes' barn for the second of three meetings this season. The loss to Washington last night was a tough one. It was the second time they'd been shut out this season, both of which have been on ESPN+. Frederik Andersen took the loss for the Canes and while this wasn't his best performance, he was really the only one that showed up. It ended the point streaks of both Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen as well as the team's seven-game point streak. These two teams met up 12 days ago in Pittsburgh in a very back-and-forth affair. The Canes jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period, then scored nine seconds into the second. The Penguins responded with two goals late in the second to tie it up before intermission. Jesper Fast scored just nine seconds into the third period, the second time that happened in the game, and the first time a team scored less than ten seconds into the period twice in a game in NHL history. Aho scored on the power play to make it 4-2 and though the Pens added a late power play goal, the Canes held on to win. Antti Raanta got the win, his 100th in the NHL, outdueling Tristan Jarry. He'll go again tonight for the Canes. Seth Jarvis will also be back in the lineup for Derek Stepan.

The Penguins come in on the second half of a back-to-back too, but they played much better than the Canes did last night. Jarry outplayed Vasilevskiy as the Penguins beat the Lightning 5-1. Evgeni Malkin led the way with three points, while Crosby, Guentzel, and Heinen added multi-point nights. The win was their third straight victory along with wins over the Rangers and Blue Jackets. They still sit just behind the Canes in the division standings, but they are within striking distance. They can't overtake the Canes with a regulation win tonight, but the threat is real. This will be Brock McGinn's first game back in Carolina since signing with the Pens in the offseason. The teams are set to meet again on March 13 to finish the season series, so the Canes winning this game tonight would give them the win for the season. Casey DeSmith will go for the second time in his career against the Canes. The first time he faced them, he stopped 34 of 35 shots in a 3-1 win for Pittsburgh on January 23, 2018, in Pittsburgh. There needs to be a quick change in the way the Canes approach the game after how bad they came out last night. Another effort like that tonight wouldn't bode well with the fanbase. I think there is going to be a fire lit under them for this game, I just have that feeling. They're going to be given a real fight as these two continue to fight for the Metro crown. A win would be a great way to begin this four-game homestand.

1st Period

Scoring

(PIT) 4:28- Jake Guentzel (27) (assisted by Marcus Pettersson (12) & Sidney Crosby (36))

(PIT) 13:53- Sidney Crosby (18) (assisted by Jake Guentzel (30) & Bryan Rust (25))

Thoughts

Despite being down 2-0, this was still a decent period for the Canes to work off. The Penguins were absolutely the better team for most of the 20 minutes and the scoreboard reflects that. The opening goal was a good tip and the second was Sidney Crosby being left pretty much all alone on Antti Raanta. Not much he could do, but it's two goals nonetheless. Raanta played well despite the team fumbling in front of him. There were some good glimpses at various points from the offense, but nothing that would be considered extremely dangerous for Casey DeSmith to stop. The Canes really need to stay out of the box. The penalty on Nino was a bad one, but the kill bailed him out. They need to play smart and start building something because they haven't generated much in the last four periods. 

2nd Period

Scoring

(CAR) 4:20- Jordan Staal (7) (assisted by Nino Niederreiter (14))

Thoughts

Welcome back, boys! This was a much better period for the Canes and they earned a tough goal from the Staal line. Jordan Staal stays hot with another goal to cut into the Penguins' lead and give the Canes their first goal since Detroit on Tuesday night. The Staal line put together a few very good shifts at the beginning of the period, drawing the only penalty of the period, but couldn't find the back of the net again. The end of the period was all about the SAT line, who had several chances of their own in the last few minutes. Casey DeSmith has been the difference in this game so far. He withstood the pressure from the Canes, allowing just the Staal goal early. This is the team I'm used to seeing. This game is still very much in their grasp. An early goal for the Canes changes everything. 

3rd Period

Scoring

(CAR) 9:48- Jordan Staal (8) (assisted by Ethan Bear (7))

Thoughts

The captain almost single-handily got the Canes to the first point. His second goal was almost out of nowhere thanks to the point shot from Ethan Bear. The Canes felt like they controlled most of the period. Raanta and DeSmith were both good when called upon for a save. You can't blame DeSmith for the Staal goal to tie it. It was a perfect tip. The power play almost got it done before overtime but fell just short. This game was been amazing to this point. Would love to see it end with the Canes getting their second point. They've earned it to this point. 

Overtime

Scoring

(CAR) 3:14- Andrei Svechnikov (23) PP (assisted by Teuvo Teravainen (30) & Sebastian Aho (33))

Thoughts

Much like the Detroit game on Tuesday night, this game came down to a penalty in overtime, but the Canes are on the right side of this one. Vincent Trocheck, just out of the box after his fight in the third period, eggs Kris Letang into taking a penalty. Andrei Svechnikov jumped on a rebound from Turbo to give the Canes the win tonight. 

Canes' Three Stars of the Game

Third Star- Antti Raanta (22 Saves on 24 Shots)

After a rough start to the game, Raanta stood on his head in the second and third periods to keep the Canes in the game and enabled them to get the tying goal and earn the first point. He made some huge saves on McGinn and Kapanen late to keep it 2-1. I'm not sure what it is about him against Pittsburgh that has worked this season, but I'm not complaining at all.

Second Star- Ethan Bear (Assist)

The assist on the game-tying goal is the obvious noteworthy play, but it was his entry in the second period that led to the first goal and gave the Canes some life. I thought he played very well for three periods. The wherewithal to throw the puck at the net with Staal in front was smart and it ends up paying off. It's good to see him going on both ends. 

First Star- Jordan Staal (2 Goals)

It was just a few weeks ago that Staal was so snake-bitten that we didn't think he'd ever score another goal. He's now scored six times in the last 11 games, including both goals in regulation for the Canes. His line was leading the charge in the second period with the captain right in the middle of things. That anyone would think the team should sit or trade him baffles me. 

Final Thoughts

After the first period, I was worried we were about to get another game like last night. The way they came out in the second period made me feel much better and it looked like they were starting to put a game together. Staal's first goal was a good start, but I wasn't sure if they could get that second one. They worked hard enough to earn a bounce and got that second goal to tie it and I felt they were going to win this game in some fashion. They were on fire for the last 40 minutes. It was also refreshing to see the Canes capitalize on the temper of their opponents for a change. After having their streaks snapped, Aho and Turbo both factor into the overtime winner as Svechnikov earns the second point for the Canes. Pittsburgh isn't a team you want to give points to with them on your tail, but earning the win in overtime allows you to add to your lead without giving up a game that you have in hand on them. The win also prevented a three-game losing streak, which is a rare occurrence for the team this season. They'll get a night off before welcoming the Kraken to PNC Arena for the first time ever on Sunday. This was an excellent win for the Canes and one of the most exciting games of the season to this point.