Once again, it is time to select a “player of the game” for the Hurricanes in their 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night. Once again, it’s a difficult task.
You could choose Fred Andersen, who had a near flawless game in net. Unlike game two where there was some puck luck involved, he looked in full control in this game. He was our “MVP” of game one.
You could choose Logan Stankoven, who has scored first in each playoff game for Carolina so far. That is special stuff!
Thanks in part to Stanky, Ottawa has yet to play a single second with the lead in this series. Nadda….zilch…..nothing. Not a second.
In addition, the defense has played very well. All of them have excelled and they are playing at the top of their respective games.
But once again, I am going for the assist man.
Taylor Hall earned an assist on each goal yesterday.
First, he skated the puck to the net for a shot, gathered his own rebound and skated behind the net, then found an open Stankoven cross ice, who made no mistake.
Later he got the puck in the blueline, made a nice pass to K’Andre Miller, who then made a delicious, no look pass to Jackson Blake, for the game-winner.
Like Jordan Staal my previous pick, Hall was involved in a bit of controversy. Early in the second period, he hit Jake Sanderson with what was considered a high hit, even though both players are about the same height. Sanderson was leaning down for the puck, but Hall did not leave his feet on the play or seem to target the defenseman.
Regardless, he did hit him in the head and was charged with the appropriate penalty.
Ottawa coach, Travis Green was emphatic after the game thinking that it should have been a major. This is the same coach who was 100% certain that Staal was offsides the previous game, even though most experts around the league were not so sure. Regardless, he did get the call as the league agreed. Not so much this time.
The league looked at the play and there will be no further discipline for Hall.
Hall has been a driver on offense this entire series and leads the team with five points, (1G 4A). He also has a team best plus +4.
His impact card is not too shabby either.
The Canes will be off until their next game on Saturday afternoon. They will look to close out the series then.
