2023-24 Regular Season, Game 27: Hurricanes at Vancouver Canucks (Pregame)

The bad start to the road trip looked as if it were going to change after the Hurricanes put together a quick start in Calgary against the Flames. Stefan Noesen redirected a shot past Dustin Wolf 2:10 into the game, and Michael Bunting did the same a few minutes later to give the Canes a 2-0 lead through 20 minutes. In the net, Pyotr Kochetkov looked as if he'd buried his tough performance against Edmonton the night prior. All was looking good for Carolina until the third period began. The Flames attacked Kochetkov with everything they had. Rasmus Andersson eventually broke through with a rebound goal. Then, Connor Zary knocked one home after Adam Ruzicka's shot trickled through Kochetkov. To add insult to injury, Blake Coleman completed the comeback while short-handed, throwing a shot over Kochetkov's glove. Sebastian Aho looked as if he'd tied the game with 5:00 left, but a review for goalie interference by the Canucks was successful in taking it off the board. Wolf would shut the Canes down from there, earning his first win of the season in a 3-2 win for Calgary. The loss pushed the Canes to 0-3-0 during their ongoing six-game trip. 

The Opponent: Vancouver Canucks (17-9-1, 35 Points- 3rd in the Pacific Division)

Last season was largely disappointing for the Canucks. A slow start to their season signaled the end of Bruce Boudreau's time behind the bench, making way for the controversial hiring of Rick Tocchet. Whatever he did seemed to work as the Canucks went 20-12-4 down the stretch. However, it wasn't enough to get them to the postseason, missing by 12 points. They made the tough decision to buy out the rest of Oliver Ekman-Larsson's contract during the offseason. The Canucks also brought in Carson Soucy, Pius Suter, Teddy Blueger, and Ian Cole to provide a veteran presence. The result has been a complete turnaround for the team. They started the season 12-3-1, including an eight-goal performance on Opening Night and ten goals against San Jose. The Canucks outscored their opponents 70-36 during their hot start, and while they've slowed down a little, going 5-6-0 in their last 11, they're still a lethal team. Brock Boeser leads the league in goals (18). JT Miller is second in the league in points (39). Quinn Hughes leads all defensemen in points (36) and is tied for first in the league in assists (27). Elias Pettersson is on pace for a second straight 100-point season. Filip Hronek, who the Canucks acquired last season from Detroit, is right behind Hughes in assists (23) and fourth among defensemen in scoring (25). Thatcher Demko is having a career year in the net, making a serious case for Vezina consideration. They also just acquired Nikita Zadorov from Calgary, as if this team needed more tall defensemen. This is a side of the Canucks that has been seldom seen since their dominant days in the early 2010s. 

Last Season's Meetings- The road team won each meeting between the Hurricanes and Canucks a season ago. Their meeting in Vancouver was early in the season, taking place in late October. Andrei Svechnikov and JT Miller traded goals on the power play in the first period. After a scoreless second, Sebastian Aho and Jesper Fast scored in the first 1:27 of the third period to put the Canes ahead by two goals. Miller would score his second of the night to cut the deficit in half, but the Canes held on to take a 3-2 win. The Canucks returned the favor in mid-January in Raleigh. Carolina jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, but goals by Ethan Bear and Miller had the game tied midway through the third period. Aho thought he'd given the Canes the lead for good late in the period until Brock Boeser was able to put home a puck with 17 seconds left to force overtime. The game would require a shootout, and Elias Pettersson would provide the difference as the Canucks won 4-3. 

Stories/Keys of the Night

1. It's Make it or Break it for the Canes' Goalies

I'm not the type that believes in ultimatums, but if the Canes are out-goalie'd for the third time during this trip, changes need to be made going into the Ottawa game on Tuesday. I have nothing but love for Antti Raanta and Pyotr Kochetkov. I think they can be game-changers when in the right position. However, we'd largely been missing that this season. Yes, each has put in incredible performances at times, but their lack of consistency is starting to get tough to watch. Regardless of who is in the net for this game, though I'd presume it's Raanta, the Canes have to win. If they lose because of shotty goaltending, Don Waddell better be making calls. 

2. Time for Aho to Turn it Up

The early-season injury to Sebastian Aho only kept him out for a few games, but it's never fun to be without your superstar. Once he returned, he got on a roll, scoring 19 points in 17 games to take the team lead in points. As the team was hitting the road, Aho was playing his best hockey of the season. He had points in four straight games, including a two-goal performance against Buffalo. To start the road trip, Aho has 0 points in three games. He's been outperformed by the top stars in all three games and has largely been a non-factor. There are some players who the Canes can afford to go through lulls. Aho isn't one of them. He's expected to make an impact every night. He hasn't been doing that during this trip. The good news is that Aho has performed well against Vancouver in his career, scoring 12 points in 11 games. 

3. Keep the Quintet Quiet

There is no denying how great the top of Vancouver's lineup is. They have four players with 30+ points, and Hronek isn't far behind with 25. The Canucks have the fourth-best power play in the league. They're an explosive offense. However, they aren't without fault. Their penalty kill is 27th in the league. They also don't haven't got much scoring from their depth players this season. All but four of their goals on the power play have been from their top five scorers, and three of them aren't going to be in the lineup. If you can miraculously find a way to keep their top guys quiet and find ways to get bounces to go their way, the Canes have a great chance. I'd be more convinced if they'd been able to do it for the last three games.