3 issues Carolina Hurricanes did proper to stave off embarrassing 4-0 sweep and playoff elimination in Sport 4

The Carolina Hurricanes pulled out a gritty, 3-0 win over the Florida Panthers in Sport 4 of the Jap Convention Last. With the win, the Canes prevented an embarrassing sweep, akin to the 2023 blanking that left the Canes trying to find clues.

However on Monday night time, the Hurricanes performed their finest sport of the collection, leaving the Panthers on the ice seeking to regroup.

Logan Stankoven’s purpose on the 10:45 mark of the second interval ended the Panthers’ hopes of a sweep, forcing a Sport 5 again in Carolina on Wednesday night time.

With that in thoughts, right here’s a take a look at the three issues the Carolina Hurricanes did proper in Sport 4 to keep away from a sweep and maintain their season alive.

3 issues Carolina Hurricanes did proper in Sport 4 to stave off sweep by Florida Panthers

#3 The Hurricanes took benefit of Panthers’ complacency

The Carolina Hurricanes took benefit of the Panthers’ sense of complacency in Sport 4. The final time the Panthers discovered themselves in the same scenario was in Sport 6 of their second-round collection towards the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Panthers entered that sport seeking to shut out the Maple Leafs. As an alternative, the Cats took their foot off the gasoline and allowed the Maple Leafs to close them out 2-0.

The identical factor occurred to the Panthers in Sport 4 towards the Hurricanes. The Canes, in the meantime, performed determined hockey. Their desperation allowed the Canes to drive a Sport 5 again in Carolina.

#2 The Canes’ relentless forechecking saved them within the sport

The Carolina Hurricanes didn’t let up for the complete 60 minutes. They saved coming on the Panthers, protecting them on their heels all sport lengthy.

The primary interval favored the Hurricanes regardless of the shortage of objectives on the scoreboard. The Canes outshot the Panthers 11-7 within the opening body, then adopted that up with a 12-5 shot benefit within the second.

But it surely was that relentless forechecking that led to a vital turnover by Seth Jones within the impartial zone halfway by means of the second interval.

Right here’s a take a look at the purpose:

The strain by the Hurricanes compelled Jones to maneuver the puck rapidly, finally touchdown on Alexander Nikishin’s lap, who, then dished to Logan Stankoven for the game-winner.

#1 The Hurricanes’ stars responded to their coach’s public name

Following Sport 3, Carolina head coach Rod Brind’Amour known as out his gamers, pinning the blame on his stars for the 3-0 deficit they discovered themselves in.

The general public name appeared to work because the Canes performed their finest sport of the collection, with their stars exhibiting as much as play.

Sebastian Aho and captain Jordan Staal deposited empty-netters to seal the win. But it surely was their defensive play and gritty strategy that purchased them sufficient time to interrupt by means of the Panthers’ protection.

Transferring ahead, the Hurricanes’ stars might want to proceed rising to the event to maintain their playoff hopes alive.