Hurricanes vs. Lightning NHL Hockey Game: Who Won? What we have learned

Observations from the Carolina Hurricanes’ second preseason game, an 8-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday:

▪ The Lightning had Brayden Point, Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman and a mostly veteran cast in the game. The Canes have left Sebastian Aho, Jordan Staal, Teuvo Teravainen, Jaccob Slavin and plenty of those guys in Raleigh.

Veterinarians have made their mark. Derek Stepan and Jordan Martinook each scored for the Canes, who led 3-1 in the second period. The Lightning tied 3-3 on a power play goal from newcomer with a small age on him, Corey Perry.

Gabriel Fortier had a hat trick for Tampa Bay, the shorthanded third for a 7-5 lead in the third. CJ Smith had two goals and an assist for the Canes, both in the third. Goalkeeper Antti Raanta, who was playing his first game for the Hurricanes, faced 25 shots and allowed seven goals.

“We worked hard,” said Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour during the post-game media call. “It was a good effort from our group.”

▪ Seth Jarvis, who made his NHL preseason debut with a record six shots, is in a tough spot: either be in the Canes roster for the season or be sent back to his junior team. , the Portland Winterhawks. The problem: Jarvis, the Canes’ 2020 first-round draft pick, is probably not ready for the full NHL job, but he’s too good for another year in the Western Hockey League.

An NHL scout during Tuesday’s game in Raleigh said Jarvis was the best player he looked at among four teams at the Tampa Bay Prospects tournament a few weeks ago. Had he been eligible to play in the AHL this season, Jarvis could have continued to develop his game with better players while still being eligible for a call-up with the Canes.

It’s possible Carolina could keep Jarvis, who has a three-year entry contract, on the roster and play nine games, then make his decision – likely an inevitable return to junior, not activating his freshman year. pro contract.

▪ Brind’Amour said the biggest hurdle for some of the new players is the learning curve to absorb the Canes’ aggressive system, especially for defenders. So it was with Ethan Bear, who came to Carolina as part of the trade that sent Warren Foegele to Edmonton and played his first game on Friday for the Canes.

Bear took a kick in the first and was in pain. But continued to play, finishing with 21 minutes of ice time.

▪ Brind’Amour had this to say about Jarvis’ play: “I liked what I’m saying, really from everyone. I thought he really showed some offensive flair. He’s not a big guy, but he was sending pucks to the net. The flip side, the learning curve of defense, he’s kind of watched the puck like all the juniors that come into the league. He’s got a job there for sure, but he looks like he has a lot of potential.

▪ Is it too early to speculate on how the keeper will divide the regular season games with Raanta and Frederik Andersen?

An estimate was close to a 50-50 split, keeping the two veterans livelier and fresher. The caveat: injuries. The biggest caveat, of course, is performance.

Friday night difficult for Raanta, who did not receive much help in third. “What are you going to say? Said Brind’Amour. “I’m sure he would like to find a couple. We cannot give up these chances.

▪ This won’t be the season Jarvis, Jamieson Rees and Jack Drury play for the Canes. But that season could come soon. Brind’Amour must love his 200-foot games and his commitment to play in all three zones.

This story was originally published October 1, 2021 9.44 p.m.