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 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.