2023-24 Regular Season, Game 5: Hurricanes at Seattle Kraken (Postgame)
The Hurricanes returned to form on Tuesday night with a big 6-3 victory in San Jose. Four goals in the third period, including two on the power play, propelled them to victory, despite Sebastian Aho not playing and Frederik Andersen leaving early in the first period. The Canes have left California for the Pacific Northwest and a date with the Seattle Kraken in their third season as a franchise. The Kraken have started slow this season, but a breakout feels inevitable.
Scoring Summary
1st Period
SEA (7:16)- Yanni Gourde (1) (assisted by Andre Burakovsky (1) & Eeli Tolvanen (1))
CAR (7:35)- Jesper Fast (1) (assisted by Jaccob Slavin (2) & Jordan Staal (2))
SEA (12:18)- Jaden Schwartz (2) PP (assisted by Kailer Yamamoto (1) & Vince Dunn (3))
SEA (19:22)- Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (1) SH (assisted by Vince Dunn (4))
2nd Period
SEA (2:38)- Vince Dunn (1) PP (assisted by Andre Burakovsky (2) & Oliver Bjorkstrand (2))
3rd Period
CAR (1:08)- Seth Jarvis (3) (assisted by Stefan Noesen (2) & Jaccob Slavin (3)
CAR (5:54)- Jesperi Kotkaniemi (2) (assisted by Stefan Noesen (3) & Seth Jarvis (2))
SEA (11:52)- Jared McCann (2) (assisted by Oliver Bjorkstrand (3) & Alexander Wennberg (1))
SEA (12:13)- Tye Kartye (1) (assisted by Matty Beniers (1) & Will Borgen (1))
CAR (15:56)- Seth Jarvus (4) PP (assisted by Jordan Staal (3) & Martin Necas (3))
SEA (16:51)- Oliver Bjorkstrand (1) EN (assisted by Will Borgen (2))
My Thoughts
I don't know how to diagnose the problems with the Carolina Hurricanes. This defense, thought to be the best in the NHL, has looked any but in the first five games of the season. They're allowing over four goals per game, the worst in the league. Luckily, the offense is also the best in the league. Neither Frederik Andersen nor Antti Raanta has put together a solid, complete game this season, with Pyotr Kochetkov making his season debut in Seattle and looking better than both. Dmitry Orlov continues to struggle. He's the only player in the league with a double-digit +/-. He hasn't looked comfortable in the defensive zone, which isn't ideal for defensemen.
Seattle equaled its goal total through four games in the first period of this game. Two of the goals game on special teams. The two sides traded goals 19 seconds apart before the Kraken struck on the power play and short-handed to lead 3-1 after 20 minutes. Seattle scored again on the power play early in the second period, ending Antti Raanta's night. The Canes did their best to come back in the third period, scoring twice at the beginning of the period, courtesy of Seth Jarvis, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and two assists from Stefan Noesen. Seattle struck twice in 21 seconds to regain their three-goal advantage. We got our first fight of the season, with Brendan Lemieux being challenged by Tye Kartye and quickly putting him down. Jarvis scored his second of the period to bring it back within two goals, but an empty-netter would seal the deal as the Kraken won their first game of the season.
If we're being honest, we knew this game was coming. A winless team that hasn't been scoring many goals and playing their backup was destined to beat the Hurricanes. It felt very similar to the Anaheim game in almost every way. The Canes spot the team three goals in the first period, trailed 4-1 after two periods, scored twice to pull within a goal, then can't finish the comeback. I really hope this doesn't become a trend. It's not something I want to see for 77 more games. The continued scoring does help ease my worries a little bit. The team has scored at least four goals in four of the five games. It's the reverse of almost every season under Rod Brind'Amour. The defense always looks great, but the offense struggles. We're living in weird times as Hurricanes fans.
My Three Stars of the Game
3rd Star- Jaccob Slavin- 2 assists
While the defense largely struggled, Slavin put together an excellent individual game. He picked up a primary assist on Fast's goal, then a secondary assist on Jarvis' first of the game in the third period. He also finished the night at +2, something rare for the defense lately.
2nd Star- Stefan Noesen- 2 assists
Admittedly, Noesen being a distributor came as a surprise. He's a specialist on the power play with his presence at the front of the net, but he switched it up in Seattle. He recorded primary assists on both goals early in the third period. Both plays were beautiful, too.
1st Star- Seth Jarvis- 2 goals, 1 assist
If there's one player that has stepped up in Aho's absence, it's Seth Jarvis. He has five points in the last two games and sits tied atop the team in goals and points. He's playing in all situations for the team and thriving with every opportunity. He's been incredible to watch this week.
Up Next- The Hurricanes will play the final game of their West Coast swing in Colorado on Saturday night. Once they're finished in Denver, they'll fly home to recuperate before playing one more road game in Tampa Bay. This will lead to two home games against Seattle and San Jose before they play five of their next six on the road.
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