The Hurricanes won in exciting fashion last night as Derek Ryan led the team with two goals and an assist. It was the third straight preseason game between the Sabres and Hurricanes that went to OT too. While the game wasn’t available on TV, those interested were able to listen to the broadcast.

Here are my thoughts from listening in:

•Derek Ryan came to play. There is a lot of youth that could make veteran guys more expendable. If there was one guy on the entire roster who showed up last night, it was Derek Ryan. I found some video on his two goals:

Both of Derek Ryan's goals tonight (sorry Jooris) pic.twitter.com/C6KXrAZmyZ

— Mark Armstrong (@ArmstrongABC11) September 19, 2017

•The Hurricanes took a lot of undisciplined penalties. This is a bit surprising as they were one of the most disciplined teams last season. They took four different slashing penalties, a double-minor high stick, and a faceoff penalty. For those who haven’t heard of the new rule change, you can get a two-minute penalty on face-offs for lining up in the dot improperly now.
•The Hurricanes PK appears to still be strong. They killed all seven shorthanded situations. They even chipped in a SHG in the second period on a play from Ryan to Jooris.
•Jooris might be on the fourth line come opening night strictly because of his PK role. It appears that BP wants his fourth line to be significant on the PK. Saarela, Jooris, McGinn, Hofmann, Wallmark, and Ryan got significant time on the PK.
•Pesce got involved offensively much more than he typically does. He led the D with four SOG. It sounded like he did well with Hanifin and helped ground him some.
•TVR and Fleury made impact statements for their place on the team. Both logged over 21+ minutes and led the team with 7:26 in PK time each. They both also chipped in assists, however, TVR’s was more impressive as he won a puck battle and hit Ryan with a nice pass for the GWG.
•Nedeljkovic had a strong third period. He replaced Smith to start the third and stopped all 14 shots he faced in just over 22 minutes. He had a very impressive glove save on a play that came off the backboards on C.J. Smith. This is encouraging as he had stellar numbers in the Traverse City tournament and looks to be building on his confidence.
•The Hurricanes continued to be a fast team that applies good puck pressure. They forced 12 Sabre giveaways—this isn’t surprising as the Hurricanes were a top team at takeaways last season too.
•Area of concern: It sounded like the Hurricanes were grossly outplayed in the third period. Some of this has to relate to the amount of penalties taken though. The Sabres out-shot the Hurricanes 35 to 28. My biggest concern was the amount of point opportunities allowed—the Hurricanes struggled last season with allowing goals from the point on screens, deflections and consistently losing net-front battles on rebound situations. The Sabres had 16 SOG from their D.

The Hurricanes are playing three games in three days. Tonight will mark the second game, and they are taking on Tampa Bay. Here is the roster for tonight:

Teravainen-Rask-Williams
Nordstrom-Kruger-McGinn
Foegele-Kuokkanen-Gauthier
Bishop-Poturalski-Jooris

Dahlbeck-McKeown
Carrick-Kichton
Samuelsson-Chelios

Nedeljkovic/Booth (Nedeljkovic to start, Booth will replace either in second or start of third).

A few quick thoughts:

•TT, Rask, and Williams could very well be a line combination for the Hurricanes. This would mean that the Skinner-Rask duo could be split. It would make for interesting line combinations and choices regarding where Aho, Staal, Lindholm, Skinner, Ryan, and Stempniak fall.
•Nordstrom, Kruger, and McGinn could be the fourth line. I see it more likely to be Nordstrom, Kruger, and Jooris though after last night. McGinn took a poor double-minor penalty and Jooris outplayed PDG and McGinn.
•The third line is the “young-gun” line. I imagine many want to hear how all three of those do. All three names have had a lot of “potential” discussed and possess offensive upside and production. Kuokkanen has a lot of buzz surrounding his name after Traverse City, and the other two are most likely Charlotte bound (anticipate it being all three though.)
•The only D playing tonight that I anticipated being on the big squad come opening day is Dahlbeck. I have heard that Carrick might be a dark-horse, but I don’t see it. I highly doubt McKeown makes the team given the RHD are Faulk, Pesce, and TVR. It would make zero sense to have him in the stands for a substantial amount of games.
•The only four guys from last night back in action are McGinn, Jooris, Polturalski, and Nedeljkovic.

Puck drop is at 7:30. I imagine the Hurricanes will add to their Sunday cuts either tonight or after tomorrow’s game. I’ll have a few thoughts tomorrow on the line-up and try to tune in tonight on the radio.

Join the Discussion: » 9 Comments » Post New Comment

» Hurricanes Primed For Best Early Start In Years As Blues Come To Town

» Powerplay Looking To Keep Clicking in Dallas

» Hurricanes Need Offense To Step Up Against Oilers

» Hurricanes Looking To Keep Powerplay Streak From 2014 Alive Against Jets

» Defensive Battle Ends In Blaze Of Offensive Chances