The Carolina Hurricanes will host the Buffalo Sabres tonight at PNC Arena as the Canes look to stay undefeated at home.
The Hurricanes have really started to round a corner following the end of October into the beginning of November.
The defense is starting to play better and the offense has continued to show up which is all a good sign.
However, now the question will be how the goaltending holds up without Frederik Andersen.
Here are three keys to tonight's game:
Support the Goalie
The Sabres are one of the NHL's best offensive teams when fully healthy and they can really make you pay for your mistakes.
They're a dangerous transition team and so Carolina will need to make sure they're not giving Buffalo too many opportunities to turn up ice on odd-man rushes.
"You gotta know what you're facing," said Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour. "I call them special players. These uniquely talented offensive players that are really gifted. If you don't have awareness for them when you're out there, they make you pay and they make you pay even when you do.
"You certainly don't want to give them any more chances than you have to because they create a ton and they can put it in the back of the net."
Strong gaps at the blueline, forward support in the neutral zone and just generally being careful with the puck will go a long way towards a promising result.
Antti Raanta has performed well after a rough start to the season, but the Canes cannot give up a lot of high-danger chances and risk his confidence taking a hit.
Win the Special Teams Battle
Special teams are so critical to today's game and tonight may be no exception.
The Hurricanes come in with the league's 7th best power play (26.7%), which has scored a power play goal in each of its last four games, while the Sabres have the 5th best penalty kill (89.1%).
On the flipside, neither team has been as strong on their opposite side of special teams. Carolina is 21st on the PK (76.1%) while Buffalo is 27th on the PP (11.4%).
With two teams who like to play aggressively and pressure, there may be a lot of penalties called, so the special teams battle could be a big determining factor in who comes out ahead.
Stars Continue to Shine
The Hurricanes have had a very balanced offensive attack this season, but perhaps it's time that we see the big names start to really push the envelope.
Sebastian Aho (2g, 6a) has routinely dominated the Sabres over his career, with 24 points (11g, 13a) in just 16 games, so this may be a game where we see him take over.
Andrei Svechnikov (0g, 3a) has also started to really put his game together since returning to game action after having knee surgery in March, and a breakout for him could be right around the corner too.
Outside of those two, Jesperi Kotkaniemi (5g, 7a), Martin Necas (4g, 6a), Seth Jarvis (5g, 5a) and Teuvo Teravainen (8g, 1a), who have provided crucial scoring, have to continue to contribute as well.
Recent Articles
