The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-3 Wednesday night at PNC Arena to enter the American Thanksgiving break on a high-note.
A four-goal first period gave the Hurricanes the cushion they needed as they cruised to the end with a 'Dub' after 60.
Following the win, head coach Rod Brind'Amour as well as Jesper Fast and Jalen Chatfield spoke with the media. Here's what they had to say:
Rod Brind'Amour
On Antti Raanta's status: He said that he felt something a little funny. Nothing serious, we didn't think, but we didn't want to take a chance. So just precautionary really.
On the Jordan Staal line: I don't know what more we can say. It's nice that they actually got rewarded with a goal because there've been plays like that all year, but it's just that they haven't really been able to find the back of the net. So that was a big goal at the time and it was nice to see those guys get rewarded.
On Jalen Chatfield: He was good. We needed to get him going. It's tough to sit out for too long, but he didn't look like he missed a beat, so that was good.
On the first period: We haven't had a lot of games like that where we score on all our chances pretty much, so it was kind of nice to get those to go in and have them have to chase the game. That's definitely the way to do it if you can.
On the team falling into a bit of a lull after the big lead: There's a couple things at play, but you kind of get off what got you there and then they've got nothing to lose so they're kind of doing things were they throw caution to the wind. So that's the kind of combination of what can happen, but [Kochetkov] came in and made some good saves in the third, because right away, it was a flurry of activity. You weren't going to be able to come into this game and think you're going to shut those guys down and not give up scoring opportunities. It does not happen. But we did a decent job.
On special teams: They did a nice faceoff play and we messed it up. We knew it was coming, but that's what happens. They made a nice pass and you have to give them credit. Obviously the shorty was bad, that's just not backchecking properly and extending your shift. That never should happen, but it did. It kind of gave them a little life going into the third period, but huge at the end. That was 6-on-4 there, a big draw by [Staal] and obviously Burns being able to fire it in. It was good.
On Jack Drury: He's played really well. It was tough. I didn't get him out there as much as I'd like because of the way the game was going and the way they were using their lines, but he's had a bunch of goals that have been called back and like, he's had tough luck for scoring, but I've thought he's played really well. So it was nice to see him get rewarded.
Jesper Fast
On scoring: It's been a while. I feel like our line has been doing good stuff out there, but haven't gotten the bounces so far lately this year. But if we just keep working hard and play the right way, they will come.
On the four-goal first period: Every goal is huge. We came out in the first playing really good hockey. Having a four-goal lead probably helped a little bit. The third period was a little shaky, but we sorted it out.
On the third period: They were going hard and started to cheat a little bit and they got some good looks, but [Kochetkov] was really good in the third period and helped us out there.
On the getting rewarded: I think we've playing some good hockey and it's been a little up and down, but we've been waiting for a period like that where we score a lot of goals and it came today. It was a good start.
Jalen Chatfield
On staying prepared: I get on the ice early and stay late. Just making sure that when my name is called, I was ready to go.
On playing with Dmitry Orlov: It was pretty good. You still want to play more games with each other to get a better read, but I thought we played solid tonight.
On the first period: That was huge to start the game like right from the start. You always like to have a good start. Early in the year, we weren't having that, so it's nice to have that going. They have some high-end skilled players, so for us to have guys that are willing to shut them down and play the right way is huge for us.
On Pyotr Kochetkov: Talk about me missing some days, I can only imagine sitting there, not playing and then having to go in after the first period. But he came in and he's a player. We know what we've got in him and he played unreal for us.
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