The Carolina Hurricanes lost to the New York Rangers 2-1 Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.
Game Recap: Hurricanes Fall 2-1 in New York
The Canes played a solid road game for nearly 60 minutes, but a crucial breakdown saw them surrender the go-ahead goal in the third period.
Here are three key takeaways from the loss:
Penalties
The Hurricanes are the third most penalized team in the league having taken 59 penalties in just 11 games. They are averaging over five penalties per game (5.28 to be exact) and that was true last night too when they were called for five infractions.
Carolina has a penalty problem. The penalty kill has been fine since an abysmal start to the season, but being in the box that often also detracts from the even strength game.
Lines can't roll and certain players end up playing way more shifts than others. No rhythm can be achieved.
"[Penalties] just throws off the momentum of the game and kind of gets the flow of the lines and everything all jumbled up," said defenseman Brady Skjei. "We just have to stay out of the box. 5-on-5 is where we’re at our best.”
Almost all of the Hurricanes' penalties have been stick infractions too. High sticks, hooks, trips, etc. Avoidable penalties all.
Carolina just needs to focus in and be mindful of the way they're playing, because the officials certainly aren't giving them the benefit of the doubt.
Taking a Breath
The Hurricanes defense has played much better over the last few games. They've been limiting chances and have played a much more solid systematic game.
However, they keep having those crucial breakdowns that cost them goals.
Last night, it was Tony DeAngelo skating himself into no-man's land before New York's go-ahead goal in the third period, but it's been a problem all year.
"We took one breather," said coach Rod Brind'Amour. "Just came off of our guy in the corner. He made a nice play, but that’s not how we do it."
Turnovers, poor positioning and more have plagued the Carolina defense all throughout the lineup. With the Canes defensive system being a man-on-man style, one mistake can completely blow a sequence and that's been happening way too often.
New Lines
Despite not getting on the scoreboard at even strength, the Canes' new lines all generated offense fairly well.
Andrei Svechnikov - Sebastian Aho - Seth Jarvis: Chances For - 9; Chances Against - 10
Michael Bunting - Jesperi Kotkaniemi - Teuvo Teravainen: CF - 7; CA - 6
Jordan Martinook - Jordan Staal - Jesper Fast: CF - 7; CA - 2
Stefan Noesen - Jack Drury - Martin Necas: CF - 9; CA - 5
Towards the end of the game, Brind'Amour put Necas with Aho and Svechnikov and the line generated seven chances and surrendered none.
It seems there's a bit of chemistry on each line and perhaps with a bit better luck against a goaltender not playing as good as Igor Shesterkin did, these lines could do well.
(All stats courtesy of NaturalStatTrick.com)
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