2023-24 Regular Season, Game 31: Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals (Postgame)

It has been a very busy weekend in Raleigh. Following Friday night's 6-5 OTL to the Nashville Predators, the team waived Antti Raanta and assigned him to the AHL after he cleared on Sunday. This move meant that Pyotr Kochetkov was effectively named the team's starter moving forward. He carried a two-game win streak into tonight's effort against Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. 

Scoring Summary

1st Period

None

2nd Period

CAR (7:41)- Sebastian Aho (12) (assisted by Seth Jarvis (12))

WSH (11:33)- Martin Fehervary (1) (assisted by Tom Wilson (8) & Dylan Strome (6))

3rd Period

None

Overtime

None

Shootout

WSH- Evgeny Kuznetsov (WSH 1-0)

My Thoughts

I understand that we're supposed to be upset when the Hurricanes lose, and I didn't love this outcome, but there was so much about this performance and result that I didn't mind. Allow me to hit the low points early to get them out of the way. The power play going 0-for-5, especially coming up empty on the double-minor in the first period, was bad. While they did technically score during the double-minor, it was wiped off the board, so that is moot. They had one shot on their first four chances. The fifth power play kind of saved the night with two shots and a goalpost from Sebastian Aho. I didn't love the Canes only scoring one goal, especially after scoring five on Friday night during the second half of a back-to-back. That I boil down to Darcy Kuemper being considerably better than Kevin Lankinen. Only scoring once is especially tough when they had 13 shots in the third period.

Similar to Friday night, the Canes never really got a chance to win the game in overtime. They had the puck for all of 30 seconds in overtime. Martin Necas had a good wrap chance, but that's about it. Washington decided to turn what is supposed to be an exhilarating experience for the fans into a snooze fest. I understand the strategy behind it, but it makes for an awful product to watch. It seems to work for them because they got the game to the shootout and won. I probably wouldn't be complaining if the Canes had managed to win, but they didn't, so I'm complaining. 

Otherwise, the Canes earned a point against a division opponent. I can't be too mad at it. A lot of that comes from Pyotr Kochetkov's performance. Yesterday was a tough day for a lot of people around the organization and for the fans. Antti Raanta, by all accounts, is a wonderful human being and an incredible goalie. He's clearly fighting his confidence, so the team made the decision they felt was best, and I completely agree with it. He'll get time to regain his confidence in the AHL. The decision to waive Raanta and Frederik Andersen being out of the lineup means Pyotr Kochetkov is the team's #1 at the moment. This game would go a long way in determining how fans would feel about it. I thought Kochetkov stepped up and put together another outstanding game. He wasn't as busy tonight as he was in Ottawa and Detroit, but he was just as effective. Alex Ovechkin also remained off the board, sending his goalless drought to 13 games, which makes me smile a little. He's 2-0-1 in his last three starts, allowing three goals on 79 shots. It's unrealistic to expect him to keep this pace up, but this has given me the confidence in him to be the starter for now. 

It might not feel like it with how they've played in their last two games, but the Hurricanes now have points in their last four games after losing four straight in regulation on the road. It ties a season-high, which they accomplished in their last homestand, going 3-0-1. Sure, you'd like one of the last two to go your way. However, there are far worse fates. They remain in the thick of the division and wild card races despite a lackluster start. The long win streak is coming. I'm not sure when, but it's going to. 

My Three Stars of the Game

3rd Star- Stefan Noesen- 1 shot, +1, 14:16 TOI

His statline will look pedestrian, like most on the team after scoring one goal, but Noesen was a big part of the game for the Canes. His forecheck allowed the Aho goal to materialize. He also provided an excellent screen that nearly led to a goal as Pesce hit the crossbar. Noesen continues to be one of the most consistent guys in the lineup. 

2nd Star- Sebastian Aho- 1 goal

There's a new leader in goals for the Hurricanes, and it's the guy that we all expected it to be. Aho provided the lone tally for the Canes tonight, burying a one-timer from the slot in the second period. He nearly found another one in the third period, redirecting a shot from Bunting off the short-side post. 

1st Star- Pyotr Kochetkov- 20 saves

Despite taking the OTL, Kochetkov is 5-2-2 in his last seven decisions, highlighted by his recent stretch, as mentioned above. He wasn't incredibly busy for most of the night, surviving an early onslaught and sporadic chances throughout. His short-handed stop on Wilson's breakaway in the first period was his biggest and best of the night.