Regular Season, Game 56: Hurricanes v. Seattle Kraken

There's no denying that Friday night's win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in overtime was an emotional one. Tonight, the team will have to put that behind them as they welcome the Seattle Kraken to Raleigh for their inaugural game inside PNC Arena. Jordan Staal scored twice on Friday night and Andrei Svechnikov scored the game-winner on the power play in overtime to secure two points over their division rival, while Antti Raanta picked up the win for his 101st of his career. The Canes and Kraken met in Seattle in November and it resulted in the Kraken's first-ever win over Carolina. Brendan Smith opened the scoring in the first period, but Jared McCann scored on the power play to tie it in the second to knot it at one heading into the third period. Marcus Johansson untied it late in the third period as Seattle held on to beat Frederik Andersen and the Canes 2-1. Alex Lyon was called up on an emergency basis and will serve as the back-up to Raanta tonight with Andersen considered day-to-day. I don't anticipate any major changes to the lineup after the win on Friday night. Teuvo Teravainen will play in his 500th NHL game tonight.

Seattle is playing the second half of a back-to-back after losing to Washington last night, 5-2. Joonas Donskoi and Colin Blackwell scored the goals for the Kraken, but Chris Driedger allowed four goals on 24 shots in the loss. Since the calendar turned over, Seattle has just seven wins in 25 games (7-17-1), and their win over Nashville on Wednesday snapped a seven-game losing streak (0-6-1), their second-longest of the season. McCann paced the inaugural season with 22 goals and 33 points, with Jordan Eberle (32), and Yanni Gourde (31) right behind him. The biggest problems have been their revolving door amongst their defensive core and sub-par goaltending from Phillip Grubauer, their big free agent signing from the last offseason. I would expect Grubauer to start since Driedger went last night. He was in the net for the Kraken when they beat the Canes in November. This will be the homecoming game for both Morgan Geekie, while John Forslund will be calling his first game in Raleigh with the Kraken. Haydn Fleury, for whatever reason, is being scratched yet again against the Canes. I'm interested to see if any of them get a homecoming video like Brock McGinn on Friday. This has all the makings of being a trap game for the Canes after their big win. Seattle has beaten them already this season, so they know they are capable of doing so. I'm not sure which team to expect on the ice tonight.

1st Period

Scoring

None

Thoughts

This was a solid period for both teams, in particular their goaltenders. Both Raanta and Grubauer made some huge saves to keep this game scoreless. Two of the Canes' best chances came while shorthanded and Nino had a wrap-around chance that Grubauer sprawled out for. Raanta made a huge save on Jarnkrok on a deflection and was solid on the kill. Seattle showed some considerable poise in the offensive zone and got some good chances on the net. The Canes also had some good forechecking shifts from the KK and Staal lines. Things were pretty even for the entire 20 minutes. I'm not sure anyone is going to score. 

2nd Period

Scoring

(SEA) 3:12- Alexander Wennberg (6) PP (assisted by Calle Jarnkrok (13) & Yanni Gourde (20))

(CAR) 7:10- Nino Niederreiter (17) PP (assisted by Jesperi Kotkaniemi (12) & Seth Jarvis (12))

(SEA) 8:16- Calle Jarnkrok (12) (assisted by Adam Larsson (13))

(CAR) 17:22- Teuvo Teravainen (16) PP (assisted by Sebastian Aho (34) & Vincent Trocheck (23))

Thoughts

Defensive coaches shield your eyes because there were three power play goals in this period as the Canes and Kraken continue to go back and forth. Wennberg got Seattle on the board in nine seconds on their second power play chance to open the scoring. The Canes would then score on their first power play chance with Nino Niederreiter finally solving Grubauer. The lead would last long with Jarknrok answering to take the lead back just over a minute later. From that point on, the Canes dominated play. Some excellent shifts from the SAT line and the fourth line put pressure on the Kraken before they took their second penalty. Turbo capitalized just four seconds into the chance to tie the game with the help of Aho and Trocheck. Raanta made a huge save to keep it tied shortly after the tying goal. The momentum is on the Canes' side right now, but Seattle isn't going down quietly.

3rd Period

Scoring

(CAR) 10:22- Martin Necas (9) (assisted by Brady Skjei (17) & Brett Pesce (15))

Thoughts

Of all the people to get this game-winning goal, Martin Necas was the guy you'd like to see get it. The Seattle Kraken put together a great third period, but the play of Antti Raanta willed the Canes to this win. The Canes had more high danger chances than the Kraken did, but it was a rebound while spinning that got through Grubauer and won the game for the Canes in regulation. It could've been worse if not for Grubauer making some big saves late in the game. It was good they got this one done in regulation to get the two points and not risk missing out on the second in overtime. 

Canes' Three Stars of the Game

Third Star- Sebastian Aho (Assist)

All the credit in the world to Turbo for scoring the tying goal on the power play, but the pass from Aho after winning the faceoff was what got that play going. He was solid in the faceoff dot all night, was a menace on defense and could've scored a goal of his own. He was exactly what the team needed him to be tonight to be a team that is far inferior to them in the standings. 

Second Star- Martin Necas (Goal)

You have to think the monkey has been lifted off his back with that goal tonight. It broke an 18-game goalless drought and served as the game-winner midway through the third period. It was a great rebound while spinning that snuck through the five-hole of Grubauer. He had a few more shots and looked like he was moving fast. Hopefully, this goal does the same thing it did for Staal when he scored. 

First Star- Antti Raanta (28 Saves on 30 Shots)

The offense came through when it needed to, but none of this is possible without Raanta making some huge saves in the second and third periods to keep it close. The save that we'll look back at will be the save on Jaden Schwartz late in the third period after Turbo tied it to keep it 2-2. He's played phenomenally this week, starting three of the four games and allowing the team to earn points in all three. 

Final Thoughts

I'm not sure what it is about these teams at the bottom of the standings that give the Canes fits, but at least they got the job done tonight. With Necas' goal being at even strength, the difference in the game was in special teams, and that's not a battle you want to get in with the Canes on a nightly basis. They went 2-for-3 on the power play while doing the same on the kill. Raanta has played three good games this week, playing more than he has in a short time in a while. This wasn't going to be a huge game in the grand scheme of things, but it's always fun to get some wins and earn two points. I really hope this goal gives Necas some momentum after coming close so many times in the last few games. The team will get a couple days off, which will do great to get Andersen back and healthy before Thursday's game against Colorado. The top two teams in the league based on points will come to blows in Raleigh on Thursday. The Canes sit just two points back as of now, but Colorado will get some chances to expand their lead before then. More importantly, it gives the Canes a little more distance in the division after beating Pittsburgh Friday and following it up with a win tonight. It was a great effort in front of Raanta tonight and a great way to salvage a week that didn't start well.