Canes Extend Win Streak to Four Games
Cary, NC – The Carolina Hurricanes extended their NHL leading win streak to four games with a hard fought 3-1 win against the Winnipeg Jets to close out their five game home stand. Both Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin scored their first goals of the season with Victor Rask scoring his team leading eighth marker of the season.
Lindholm Gets His First Goal of the Season, Finally
The Canes had much to prove against the Jets as they squandered a three-goal lead on Opening Night only to lose the game 5-4. Starting out the season with a solid win rather than the repeat of the 2015-16 NHL leading stat of most OT losses could have help the psyche of both players and Caniacs.
Cam Ward was again in goal and looked sharp from the opening faceoff. The Canes also responded with 18 shots on goal in the first compared to just four shots two nights earlier. After taking a hard pass from Ron Hainsey at the goal line, Lindy skated into shooting range then sent a snap-wrister through the legs of the defender, off the goalie’s shoulder for his first of the season.
Watching his expression immediately after the goal as well as how teammates were reacting on the bench was priceless. Lindy has been a force on his line and it’s great to see his hard work paying off on the scorecard.
PK Teams Continue To Lead NHL
The game changed in the second period with both teams checking harder both on and off the puck with both teams totaling on 15 shots combined. Several skirmishes erupted right after whistles were blown when everything looked innocent. Seven penalties were called with at least two as a result of retaliation.
It’s hard to believe but the refs could have made a few more calls both ways as sticks were flying high, shirts were grabbed and face washes were at nearly every whistle. The Canes once again successful on all penalty kills and are well over 90 percent on the PK and lead the NHL in that category.
Hanifin Scores His First of the Year on Powerplay
Early in the third, the Canes had another powerplay and were doing a great job of keeping the puck in the Jets end. Jeff Skinner had the puck at the left point, skated in a couple of strides sending a hard slap shot at the net. Connor Hellebuyck made a chest save with the puck dropping to the ice near Lee Stempniak who calmly and coolly send a soft pass to Victor Rask’s stick who buried the puck for a powerplay goal and a free Boberry biscuit for all Caniacs Monday morning.
Just under midway in the period, Mark Scheifele broke Ward’s chance for a second shutout in three games with an odd man rush fast break that silenced the crowd so much you could have hear that preverbal pin drop.
The chippiness continued between the two teams as there was no question there was some bad blood brewing. With the Canes on another powerplay late in the game, Hanifin sealed the game with a beautiful slap shot set up by Teuvo Teravainen and Justin Faulk. Nice revenge game win and gives the Canes some confidence heading into Canada for three games this week.
Next home game is Sunday, November 27 at 6 PM. Be There!
Canes coverage by Bob Fennel. Photos from Facebook. Read more Hurricanes coverage.
