The Carolina Hurricanes, known for generating the most shot attempts in the NHL, found themselves in an unusual situation in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final. Their own fans were chanting “shoot the puck!” during the second period, a reflection of the overwhelming dominance of the Florida Panthers, who took the victory with a score of 5-0 and a 2-0 lead in the series.
Tonight was not good. We’re going to have to own a terrible game.
Jordan Staal, Hurricanes captain
After registering 33 shots against goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky in Game 1, the Hurricanes managed only 17 shots in Game 2, tying for the third-lowest total in Stanley Cup Playoffs history for the franchise. The difference was notable: 78 shot attempts in the first game versus just 53 in the second.
Although Florida’s intense forecheck contributed to the suppression of shots, Carolina winger Taylor Hall admitted that the Panthers generated doubts in the Hurricanes’ offensive attack.
We had opportunities to shoot. And we didn’t. I think we’re all a little lost. When we look at the shot clock and see the total, that’s just not our game. It’s just not how we play. We generate offense by shooting pucks and retrieving them, and then drawing a penalty or getting a rebound. We generate momentum by doing that. And we just couldn’t do it.
Taylor Hall, Hurricanes winger
The Panthers were relentless in Game 2, taking a 3-0 lead in the first period and maintaining control. Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour expressed his surprise at his team’s performance.
I didn’t know what I was watching in the first period. That didn’t go well. We’re not going to beat this team if we’re not on the same page. The intentions were good. Everybody’s trying. But that’s not how we do it and it just went wrong.
Rod Brind’Amour, Hurricanes coach
The catalyst for that first-period deficit was Carolina’s winger, Andrei Svechnikov, their top scorer in the playoffs with eight goals, who was marked by the Panthers’ Sam Bennett, Carter Verhaeghe, and Matthew Tkachuk line.
The Panthers took a 1-0 lead just 1:17 into the game, when center Bennett created chaos in the offensive zone with a forecheck that forced a turnover by Svechnikov. Defenseman Gustav Forsling slipped into the slot and beat Frederick Andersen for his first playoff goal.
That same line created Florida’s second goal a little over 10 minutes later. Once again, they pressured with their bodies on the forecheck. Once again, Svechnikov lost the puck in his own zone. Defenseman Niko Mikkola slid it behind the net to Verhaeghe, who noticed Carolina defenseman Dmitry Orlov was up the ice, creating a 2-on-1 at point-blank range with Tkachuk. Verhaeghe deflected the puck off Tkachuk’s skate for 2-0.
It was an unreal start by us. Aside from the goals, the way we played in the first period was the best we could do. That’s a hell of a road trip.
Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers player
Bennett’s line again caused the Hurricanes to lose their cool. Tkachuk delivered a reverse hit to Svechnikov, who then hit him into the boards. Tkachuk gave him a cross-check to the back. Svechnikov reacted near the benches and was penalized for roughing. As in Game 1, when Sebastian Aho received a roughing penalty in response to a cross-check from Anton Lundell, the Panthers made Carolina pay with a power-play goal from Bennett to make it 3-0.
Brind’Amour said before Game 2 that it only takes one slip in judgment caused by the Panthers’ agitation to hurt the Hurricanes. Svechnikov had that slip in Game 2.
He had a tough night. He’s trying, but you have to be on the same page, and he was on his own page. It didn’t work.
Rod Brind’Amour, Hurricanes coach, on Andrei Svechnikov
Bennett scored again with less than a minute left in the second period, his ninth of the postseason. Aleksander Barkov’s power-play goal in the third period, scored against Pyotr Kochetkov, who replaced Andersen in the game, completed the 5-0 rout.
Staal stated that the challenge for Carolina is not to have negative thoughts about their chances of beating the Panthers.
This game is mental. It’s about the brain and your concentration and the thoughts that can come in. When you let those thoughts like that come in, it never looks good. I think we have to believe in the group and what we have and what we’ve done all year and go steal one.
Jordan Staal, Hurricanes captain
Hall emphasized the importance of remembering that the Panthers are not invincible, despite having won the first two games in Carolina with a combined score of 10-2.
I mean, they played seven games against the Leafs, right? They’re not a perfect hockey team. We know there are areas to exploit, like any team. Obviously, they’re exploiting our weaknesses.
Taylor Hall, Hurricanes winger
Game 3 will be played Saturday night in Sunrise. The Hurricanes have lost 14 straight games in the Eastern Conference Finals, the last six against the Panthers. Two more losses, and their season will be over.
Brind’Amour was surprised that there was no more urgency in his team’s game, considering the circumstances.
I didn’t feel we were intense enough for the moment we needed. I felt like we were actually a little too casual.
Rod Brind’Amour, Hurricanes coach
