Response.
In a sport built on luck and full of parity, it's all about how you respond when things go wrong and the Carolina Hurricanes responded in multiple ways Saturday night in their 6-2 blowout win over the Buffalo Sabres at PNC Arena.
Firstly, was the commitment to the systems.
It would be easy to stray from the systems when the results just aren't there, but the Canes' commitment to sticking to their game paid off immensely.
"It was just we got results," said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour. "I think we played well. It was very similar to the one other game, we were just able to score and for the most part, keep them off the scoresheet. The overall game I thought was good and very similar to how we've been playing."
We had heard multiple times how individuals on the team had strayed away from the mantra, but it seems everyone's on the same rope right now.
That was especially apparent with the fourth line.
Martin Necas got moved down to the fourth line last game and he's responded with some of his best play all season, including adding two primary assists on Saturday.
"I 100% agree he's responded, but I don't know why he would be down," Brind'Amour said. "He gets to play with some different types of players that might actually help you and that's what it seems to be."
Secondly, was the response to a pitiful special teams night.
After allowing both a power play goal against and a shorthanded goal against in Thursday's overtime loss to the New York Islanders, the Canes responded with a perfect night of special teams play.
The power play converted twice, once by Sebastian Aho rifling a shot from the slot and again from Teuvo Teravainen on the backdoor.
The penalty kill was a perfect five-for-five including over 40 seconds of a 5-on-3 kill and even secured a shorthanded goal.
After earning an offensive-zone faceoff, Teuvo Teravainen hopped in the circle and cleanly won the draw back to Brady Skjei who rifled it home.
Finally, the response by Pyotr Kochetkov to a tough outing on Thursday.
Originally not even slated to play, Kochetkov got the word around lunchtime that he was going to be the man due to Raanta fighting an illness.
Kochetkov came in and played a solid game, turning aside 20 shots throughout the 60-minute contest.
"Today went a little bit better," Kochetkov said. "Today was a nice chance for me to play better. The team helps me every game. Today, it was a lot of goals and a lot of blocked shots. Tonight, I was happy."
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