"Inches Might as Well Be Miles": 2024-25 Regular Season, Game 60: Hurricanes vs. Edmonton Oilers

The Canes tried to start the weekend on the right foot as they began a back-to-back by hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Despite having two of the best players on the planet, the Oilers entered play on a five-game losing streak. Still, they are a lethal bunch offensively, meaning the Canes' defense would need a big night despite their recent struggles. After an excellent effort against the Sabres on Thursday night, the Canes hoped for more of the same in front of the home crowd.

Scoring Summary

1st Period

EDM (5:08)- Adam Henrique (8) SH (Mattias Janmark (15))

2nd Period

EDM (16:29)- Corey Perry (13) (Leon Draisaitl (45) & Brett Kulak (14))

3rd Period

CAR (4:26)- Sebastian Aho (22) PP (Mikko Rantanen (43) & Shayne Gostisbehere (26))

EDM (19:59)- Evan Bouchard (10) PP-EN (Leon Draisaitl (46) & Connor McDavid (53)

My Thoughts

There are over a million hockey cliches that you hear every night during every interview with a hockey player. One of my favorites is that hockey is a game of inches. That couldn't epitomize tonight's game more perfectly. Two moments changed the course of this game, neither of which was in the Canes' favor. The first came on the Canes' opening power play. The penalty kill had just done a great job of withstanding Edmonton's big guns for two minutes, but it was all for naught after how pitiful the Canes' power play looked. It was so bad that it conceded the opening goal. Mattias Janmark's shot was harmless, but Frederik Andersen kicked it into Adam Henrique's leg as he was crashing the net. His momentum pushed the puck over the line. If that puck is kicked a couple of inches either way, it remains a scoreless game. 

The second moment came midway through the second period. The Staal line was trying to inject some life into the team, providing an excellent forechecking shift. Add some help from Dmitry Orlov to keep the puck in the zone, and it ended with Jordan Martinook alone in front of Calvin Pickard for a golden opportunity. Martinook did everything right during the play. He elevated his shot over Pickard's glove. There was just one slight miscalculation. He put it squarely off the post. An inch inside and it might've tied the game. Instead, the game remained 1-0 and the Oilers scored the next goal late in the period. The Canes weren't able to recover from the two-goal deficit.

Can all of the people who have worried about Mikko Rantanen's production please quiet down now? He and Sebastian Aho are looking just fine now. They've connected in back-to-back games, including the Canes' lone goal tonight. The pass from Rantanen was beautiful and the finish was just as sweet by Aho. It took some time apart for them to finally realize that they were perfect for each other all along. Andrei Svechnikov shouldn't be left out of the equation either. He and Rantanen are starting to form good chemistry, too. Assuming Rantanen is around for a while, which I assume he will be, this could be a fearsome trio on a nightly basis.

Calvin Pickard had a lot on his shoulders tonight since Edmonton rode into the game on a five-game losing streak. He was simply phenomenal. He didn't stand a chance on the goal early in the third period but had done more than enough work to keep his team in front that it didn't prove costly. His save on Aho's short-handed breakaway in the final minute was cold-blooded. Tonight was another bad-luck loss for Andersen, who I felt also played very well. He did everything he could to make sure his group stayed in the fight. At one point, he was sprawled across the bottom of the net to cover both posts during a scramble. The offense has let him down in his last few starts because Andersen has deserved better results. 

#RaiseUp First Star of the Game- Shayne Gostisbehere

Since returning from the 4 Nations break, Shayne Gostisbehere has refound his scoring touch. He surpassed 30 points in the team's loss to Toronto, scoring a goal and adding an assist. During the first two games of the homestand, he's added two assists, bringing him to four points in four games. His assist tonight earned him his 400th point in the NHL. Gostisbehere also made two big defensive plays in the third period to prevent goals, including one that was a millimeter away from crossing the line. He finished tonight with four shots and three blocks.

Checking In on the Playoff Picture

Washington (12 Points Ahead for 1st in the division)- The Capitals have now lost three straight games after a 3-1 loss to the Lightning on home ice. Fortunately for them, the Canes haven't been able to capitalize on it. Alex Ovechkin scored their only goal, bringing him 11 away from breaking the record.

New Jersey (Tied or 1-2 Points Behind for 2nd in the division)- At the time of posting, the Devils were up 2-1 against Utah early in the third period, so it's too early to tell whether they'll be tied or behind the Canes at the end of the night. The Canes still have a game in hand, and both teams will be in action on Sunday.

Columbus (4 Points Behind for 2nd in the division)- Everyone, welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets into the picture. They're no longer just a feel-good story any more. The Jackets have won four straight, including their first-ever outdoor game tonight, 5-3, in a big battle with the Red Wings. 

The Road Ahead- The group will be back on the ice against the Calgary Flames tomorrow night. I'm sure both teams will be chomping at the bit after they both lost today. They'll take a quick trip to the Motor City on Tuesday before resuming their home activities on Thursday for the first of a four-game homestand against the Bruins.