RALEIGH — The Hurricanes sent a message to their opponent in last year’s Eastern Conference final, shutting out the Panthers for the second matchup with a 4-0 win Thursday at PNC Arena.
Seth Jarvis, Martin Necas, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Andrei Svechnikov scored for Carolina, and Frederik Andersen made 21 saves for his first shutout in more than a year.
Three observations
1. The Hurricanes came out on the wrong end of a tight game against the Rangers on Tuesday when the lone goal was scored by New York off Carolina defenseman Brady Skjei’s skate.
Carolina didn’t leave Thursday’s game to luck.
After a late goal by Jarvis in the first period, the Hurricanes took control in the middle frame.
After Dmitry Orlov fired a shot from the left circle that Sergei Bobrovsky (31 saves) bodied to the right circle, Necas unleashed a falling one-timer that extended the lead to 2-0.
Then six minutes later, Kuznetsov — who was initially awarded an assist on Necas’ goal that was instead given to Jake Guentzel for his first point with the Hurricanes — got his first goal and point with his new team.
After Guentzel got in the forecheck and helped force a turnover, Jalen Chatfield found Kuznetsov alone in the left circle. He looked for someone to pass to and then decided to snap a shot short side past Bobrovsky for a goal.
“I wanted to pass Nechy on the back door,” Kuznetsov said. “First Guentz, then Nechy, and I heard the people from the bench screaming, ‘shoot, shoot, shoot.’ It was a good pass by Chatty. I just decided to shoot, for some reason.”
Jarvis said Kuznetsov “might be the best passer I’ve ever seen in my life,” but Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour was surely glad he decided to pull the trigger.
“He’s a pass-first guy, we know that,” Brind’Amour said. “He was looking for everybody to see who was open, and OK, then he had to shoot it. Good night for him though overall. I’m happy for him.”
2. The line of Jordan Martinook, Jordan Staal and Jarvis smothered Florida’s top line of Aleksander Barkov centering Sam Reinhart and deadline addition Vladimir Tarasenko.
The Barkov line was held without a high-danger scoring chance at 5-on-5, according to NaturalStatTrick.com, and Barkov was erased when the Carolina captain’s line was on the ice. Staal had an 8-1 edge in 5-on-5 shot attempts in 7:31 head-to-head minutes against Barkov, while Martinook (14-2 in 8:28) and Jarvis (10-1 in 7:49) had equal success.
“I’m super proud of our line,” Jarvis said. “I’m playing with two real good defensive players, so it makes my job a little bit easier. I think especially in that second period, I think we just kind of gave it to ’em, grinded real hard. As long as we keep it in their zone, they can’t they can’t score from down there. I think we did a good job staying above them and not giving them any chances.”
And Jarvis also scored, trailing Staal and picking up a loose puck that he quickly shot top shelf.
“Jarvy’s just really added that element to that line,” Brind’Amour said. “You saw it tonight. That was just a great individual effort, Jordo getting through there and then get it on (Jarvis’) stick, he’s got that ability.”
3. Kuznetsov’s last goal was on Jan. 3, a Capitals loss to the Devils, but he said it’s been a while since he broke out his trademark flapping bird celebration.
“A long time ago. A long time,” Kuznetsov said of the last time he did the celebration, which made a return in the second period. “I didn’t want to do it, but I felt like the fans would like it probably.”
I asked Kuznetsov if his bird celebration originated because the Capitals’ de facto logo is an eagle. Nope — it comes from the EA Sports FIFA soccer game. He did concede, however, that the celebration did fit well with his former team. Hurricanes fans seemed happy to embrace it.
Number to know
5 — Minor penalties called on Florida defenseman Josh Mahura on Thursday, the most minor penalties called on a Hurricanes opponent in more than 23 years. Mahura was called for holding at 15:09 of the first period, roughing at 18:47 of the second period, tripping at 5:16 of the third period, and then was assessed both roughing and cross-checking penalties at 17:48 of the third period.
The last player to take that many minors in a game against Carolina was Jason Allison, who on Feb. 18, 2001, was called for hooking and roughing on separate plays in the first period, high-sticking in the second period, and received a double-minor for roughing with 33 seconds left in the third period.
Plus
Frederik Andersen, Hurricanes goalie — Remember when Andersen’s career was in doubt when he was sidelined with a condition that led to blood clots? Since returning to the lineup March 7, he is now 3-0-0, has allowed three goals on 67 shots (.955 save percentage) and posted his first shutout since he blanked Tampa Bay with 14 saves last March 5.
“I don’t show it too much, but I’m loving it out there,” the stoic Andersen said. “Really fun being in this room again with everyone, and some really good laughs and good times. I’m sure we’ll go through ups and downs, but it is really fun to be with the guys and getting that locker room feel again.”
Minus
Sebastian Aho, Hurricanes center — Sometimes it pays to have two first lines, and that’s definitely true when the combination of Aho centering Svechnikov and Teuvo Teravainen were mostly no-shows. Aho definitely seems to be in a mini-funk after failing to generate much against the Rangers on Tuesday and again on Thursday. Furthermore, the power play looked disjointed throughout the night.
They said it
“I understand why I’m here and why this team (brought) me — not just to be the funny guy and smile around, they need us to perform.”
— Evgeny Kuznetsov, Hurricanes center
