Regular Season, Game 68: Hurricanes v. Montreal Canadiens

After a strong road trip, earning five points in three games, the Canes return home to play a team they've had some success against this season. The game on Tuesday night didn't end the way they wanted to, losing 4-3 in overtime, but they earned a point after not playing well all night. Sebastian Aho's goal in the second period was his 30th of the year and it moved him into sole possession of fourth place on the franchise goal list, passing head coach Rod Brind'Amour with his 175th. The difference in the game would be special teams. The Canes' penalty kill allowed three power play goals, including the winner in overtime, and failed to generate much on any of their power play opportunities. Tonight they'll be playing the Montreal Canadiens for the third and final time this season. The Canes won in Montreal in late October with Jesperi Kotkaniemi scoring in the game. The rematch on December 30 took place in Raleigh amid Montreal's COVID issues and at the tail end of the Canes' issues. Montreal played without most of their starters and the Canes capitalized after a 12-day layoff. The Canes scored all four of their goals on special teams, three times on the power play and once short-handed. Teuvo Teravainen scored twice, including the short-handed goal, Aho had two assists, and Raanta shut out the Canadiens on 26 shots. It was an easy victory for the Canes all things considered. Tonight, there are some serious changes to the lineup. Jordan Martinook returns after a scary-looking injury, drawing back on the fourth line in place of Steven Lorentz. Max Domi is going to see an elevated role, playing with Andrei Svechnikov and Vincent Trocheck while Martin Necas joins Martinook and Derek Stepan on the fourth line. It was also announced that Kotkaniemi will be out for 2-3 weeks, so it'll be this group for a little bit. Frederik Andersen is getting the start tonight after beating Washington on Monday night. 

Montreal has already been eliminated from playoff contention, so they're playing for something else. The hiring of Martin St. Louis has seemed to breathe some new life into a bunch of players, especially young guys like Cole Caufield. Since St. Louis was hired, Caufield has 25 points (13-12-25) in 22 games after just one goal and eight points in his first 30. Their last effort was down in Sunrise against the Panthers on Tuesday night. After Chris Wideman scored to open things, the Panthers scored four straight to lead halfway through the second period. The Canadiens tied things up with three goals in 1:42 to enter the third period. Jake Allen, the starter for the game, allowed two goals and the Panthers added an empty-net goal to earn two points with a 7-4 victory. The Canadiens still won't be putting their normal team on the ice tonight because of injuries. Jeff Petry, Jonathan Drouin, and Ryan Poehling are all on injured reserve. Brendan Gallagher is going through some injury troubles as well, so he might not be in the lineup either. Jake Allen will get the start for the Canadiens tonight after the loss to Florida. Based on the standings, the Canes should expect to get two points. That doesn't mean this will be an easy game. As the Canes approach 100 points and clinching a playoff spot, they need to find ways to distance themselves from the Rangers and Penguins. Tonight would be a good night to start that as the calendar turns to April. 

1st Period

Scoring

(CAR) 3:48- Sebastian Aho (31) PP (assisted by Teuvo Teravainen (39) & Tony DeAngelo (34))

(CAR) 19:48- Andrei Svechnikov (26) (assisted by Jaccob Slavin (32) & Max Domi (26))

Thoughts

After as bad a night as the special teams had Tuesday, the power play needed just five seconds to score the opening goal early in the period. Aho's 31st of the season ties him with Jeff O'Neill for third in franchise history. The Canadiens didn't shy away from the actions, getting a couple great chances on Andersen, but he was unphased by the pressure. The Staal line had several strong shifts in the offensive zone, working the puck around the boards and putting shots on Allen. It looked like the Canes would have to settle for one goal before Andrei Svechnikov found a way to sneak one through Allen with 11/2 seconds left in the period. It was a hard-working shift from the Trocheck line and they were rewarded for their efforts. This was the strong start the team needed to establish their dominance over a clearly inferior squad in the standings. 

2nd Period

Scoring

(CAR) 3:43- Teuvo Teravainen (17) (assisted by Sebastian Aho (37) & Tony DeAngelo (35))

Thoughts

That was just about as clinical a period as the Canes have had in a long time. They recorded their most shots in a period so far this season and have over 40 on Allen through 40 minutes. Teravainen scored early in the period to give himself, Aho, and DeAngelo two points for the night. They have three power play chances with several seconds of 5-on-3 overlap during a six-minute stretch and they didn't score, but it's hard to be upset after how well they moved the puck and the fact they were up 3-0. Allen made two or three goal-saving saves in the period to prevent it from getting more out of hand. Andersen was also very good, stopping some potential momentum-changing shots from getting Montreal on the board. It's hard not to love the effort so far tonight. Another goal or two will put the nail in the coffin for sure. 

3rd Period

Scoring

(CAR) 18:45- Andrei Svechnikov (27) EN (assisted by Jaccob Slavin (33))

Thoughts

The Canes had two shots the entire period and one of them was an empty-net goal. Montreal pushes the most they had all night, earning three power plays in the process. The Canes held strong, despite spending most of the period in front of Andersen and they came out of it with their sixth shutout of the season, Andersen's fourth. The kill was the difference in the period, killing all three chances. I don't mind how one-sided the shots were for the period since the Canes were up by so much and the defense was truly smothering the Canadiens. It was an excellent win to end the month of March as we just have one more month to go. 

Canes' Three Stars of the Game

Third Star- Frederik Andersen (32-Save Shutout)

I thought his performance in the win over Washington was sneaky, allowing just one goal. Tonight felt a little similar through two periods. He only faced 18 shots in the first 40 minutes, but spent most of the third period under fire, facing three power play chances. He was peppered with 14 shots in the final period and he remained perfect, earning his fourth shutout of the season. 

Second Star- Andrei Svechnikov (2 Goals)

He had been on a bit of a cold streak, but his game has started to come back around with another two-goal performance tonight. The goal at the end of the first period was a real difference-maker, establishing a two-goal lead before the intermission. He scored another empty-net goal to earn his 200th point in his career. He's already past his career-high in goals and he's looking to break 30 now. 

First Star- Sebastian Aho (Goal, Assist)

His point streak is up to six games with his beautiful deflection goal on the power play in the first period just four seconds into the man-advantage. He added the primary assist of the Turbo goal in the second period. There isn't much bad to say about his night. I think he was the best player on the ice all night for either team and was rewarded with another multi-point night. He's now one goal away from having the third-most in franchise history.

Final Thoughts

It's these games against non-playoff teams where the Canes need to get two points. They established their dominance in the first period, added to it in the second period, then relied on their defense to bring this one home. Only six players ended up on the scoresheet tonight, but five of them (Aho, Turbo, Svech, DeAngelo, Slavin) recorded two points. Domi was the only person to earn a single point tonight, but I thought he played excellent in his larger role on the second line. I don't think there was a single player that had a bad night in my mind. Another underrated part of the night was that every player that took a face-off for the Canes tonight finished 50% or better. Staal won 77% and Aho won 73% to lead the way. I think this was complete dominance from a clearly better team to earn two points and extended their division lead. The game on Saturday night is probably secondary for most sports fans in North Carolina, but it's a big game for the Canes. Two points will put them at 100 for just the second time in Whalers/Hurricanes' history. It's against a non-conference opponent, but the Wild are at the top of the Western Conference and own a win over the Canes this season. I'm looking forward to seeing Kaprizov for the second time this season too. Tonight was a fun win for a multitude of reasons, mostly it being Montreal and completing the season sweep. This is a special team and with one month left in the regular season, there's a lot left to accomplish.