After a little break for the NHL All-Star game, the Carolina Hurricanes are back in this round of NHL predictions. They welcome the high-powered Vancouver Canucks to Raleigh with both teams looking to keep up their solid play of late. This is the second meeting between the two with the Canucks taking the first one out West 4-3.
The Canucks march into Raleigh boasting a 33-11-5 record including a record of 8-0-2 in their last ten. With what seemed like almost half of the representation at the All-Star game, you can look at a number of Canucks having excellent seasons this year. From J.T. Miller to Brock Boeser to Elias Pettersson to Quinn Hughes, the top players are excelling. And then of course they made the big move over the break to bring Elias Lindholm into the fold.
Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are also riding a hot hand right now with a three-game winning streak and a 7-2-1 record in their last ten. Sebastian Aho was their lone All-Star so the rest of the team should have had a nice break for rest and recovery. Getting back to their game of late, Carolina is pushing for first in the Metropolitan Division right now. Andrei Svechnikov is still questionable for this one while Pyotr Kochetkov came off of IR right before the break.
NHL Predictions: Carolina Hurricanes vs Vancouver Canucks
Three Keys to Victory for Carolina
Start on Time and Finish Strong
Carolina’s last game before the All-Star break saw them play about as dominant of a game as they could against the Arizona Coyotes. Dominant in every way except maybe the score. They significantly limited Arizona’s chances, especially in the third period, and were constantly driving the play. However, they actually surrendered the first goal of the game. And they didn’t pull ahead until the final 35 seconds of the game with a snipe from Dmitry Orlov.
That game showed a few things Carolina has experienced this season. Many times they have slow starts or weak finishes. Now, that doesn’t always end in a defeat. But playing less than 60 minutes is not typically the best game plan. Against Arizona, you could argue they started fast in how they played overall but they started slow in the fact that they couldn’t score. But they stuck with their game and finished strong. They need both against Vancouver.
A team as strong as Vancouver won’t allow for Carolina to have a sluggish start or a breakdown at the end of the game. There’s a reason the Canucks are where they are this season. Sure, they have very good shooting percentages, but the theme remains the same.
Teams coming out of the All-Star break almost always see a weird first week or two. Both teams are in the same boat here with Carolina maybe having an advantage playing at home. The team will need to be mentally prepared to start on time in this one. A match with Vancouver is a tough one coming out of the break, but it’s no excuse. If Carolina gives up too much early or fails to finish strong, there’s no doubt Vancouver will take advantage and make them play.
Hello Lindholm, My Old Friend
Of course, the newest Canuck Elias Lindholm will have his first game in blue against the team that drafted him in their barn. Hurricanes fans knew Lindholm from many years past but for anyone keeping up with him in Calgary, they are familiar with the abilities he possesses. But what he provides to Vancouver is almost more of a trickle-down effect. The fact that he can anchor the second line and is such a good two-way forward means that players like Pettersson, Boeser and Miller will have more room to work their magic. Lindholm will also be a big help for them on the power play and penalty kill.
You never know how new players might fit. Lindholm could come in with a new spark and be absolutely electric. Or he may take some time to fit in. I would expect the first and hope for the second for Carolina. But he will be a threat either way.
So how does this affect Carolina in this one? Exactly what was said above. They have another threat to watch for the Canucks that was not there the last time they met in Vancouver. While Lindholm hasn’t been as explosive offensively this season as last, if they sleep on him he will make them pay. Meanwhile, it means that other lines outside of the typical shutdown line centred by Jordan Staal will have to be very responsible defensively. They need to be very aware of the depth across Vancouver’s newest forward lines.
Tilt the Ice with Special Teams
There are many areas of the game where Vancouver has been better than Carolina this year. They are at the top of the league in goals for per game with 3.80 and goals against per game with 2.55. But one area that Carolina has an advantage is special teams. This has been a key for Carolina all season and will play true here as well.
Carolina’s power play of 28% is second in the NHL as of the All-Star break while their penalty kill of 84.2% is fourth. Vancouver is not bad in either category but their power play is at 25% and their penalty kill is at 80%. Of course, as stated above, Lindholm might significantly help in both of those categories.
This has all the makings of what could be a tight and hard-fought game, especially at 5v5 play. Carolina needs to use their power play success to strike whenever they get the opportunity. But they also need to hold firm in their penalty kill to keep the game within reach and provide some momentum. This is another one of those games that the more opportunistic team will likely win. Special teams is the opportunity that Carolina needs to take advantage of to pull out a win here.
Prediction Time
Coming out of the All-Star break with two heavyweights should be an exciting matchup. Both teams have been playing very well and both are pushing for the top. Whichever team can shake off the rust from the break the best will likely find themselves in the win column. Vancouver has a new shiny toy in the fold while Carolina may be getting back Kochetkov in net. Look for a tight one here. But if the Carolina Hurricanes can follow the three keys in this round of predictions, they could keep their win streak alive. If not, Vancouver will almost certainly make them pay.
Prediction: Vancouver wins 3-2
Main Photo Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
