Preseason games may not count in the standings, but the Carolina Hurricanes have to like the way they’re playing right now. The Canes beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals 5-1 at PNC Arena Friday night to improve to 3-0 in exhibition play.
The Canes got goals from forwards Valentin Zykov, Jordan Staal, Jordan Martinook and Martin Necas and defenseman Jaccob Slavin. Carolina also rode strong play from its defense in this one, only allowing 18 shots on goal. Slavin had a three-point night with a goal and two assists, and forward Warren Foegele, one of a handful of young players fighting for roster spots, had two assists.
“I think the thing I get out of it is that the guys that are competing for jobs, the guys that we want to see step up were really good,” head coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “They’re hungry and they’re making a real case for themselves, so that’s great.”
Petr Mrazek played the first two periods in goal for the Canes, looking steady and stopping nine of 10 shots before giving way to Alex Nedeljkovic. Both Mrazek and Scott Darling have played well in limited action this preseason, and goaltending will be one of the top keys for the Canes this year.
“I think goaltending was a big issue last year for us,” Slavin said. “So far this season, hopefully our goaltending stays the way they’ve been playing, I think we’re going to turn a lot of heads and make some moves.”
The Canes jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on the power play, as forward Andrei Svechnikov, making his home preseason debut, fed Zykov in front of the net for an easy tap in.
The Canes were strong on the penalty kill again in this one, finish 4 for 4 on the night. The team used an aggressive first kill to set the tone, with defenseman Brett Pesce hustling down the ice for a shorthanded chance.
“I think whenever you can, you want to be aggressive [on the penalty kill],” Martinook said. “It’s definitely key. You want to disrupt them any way you can, so when you can be aggressive, anywhere, and especially down ice, it definitely helps the kill.”
Carolina’s second goal of the night came on a fluke play, as Slavin’s shot from the boards deflected off a Capitals defender, off Staal and in to make it 2-0.
The two-goal lead did not last long for the Canes, as Capitals forward Chandler Stephenson fired one home from the right circle to make it 2-1 less than a minute after Staal’s goal.
Martinook got it right back for the Canes with a shorthanded tally, taking a pass off the boards Foegele and pulling the puck around Washington goalie Braden Holtby to make it 3-1.
Martinook and Foegele were two of the team’s strongest penalty killers on the night, with Foegele in particular flying around while the Canes were shorthanded.
“I’m trying to leave an impression and I want to make this team,” Foegele said. “I’m going to do whatever I can to try and make this team.”
Defenseman Haydn Fleury had a particularly strong game, breaking up play after play in the defensive zone.
“I thought [Fleury] was gapped up really well,” Brind’Amour said. “First period not so much and then I thought as the game went on he got stronger. Again, there’s a guy, he knows what’s going on out here. There’s a lot of great D, and he’s fighting for his spot too.”
Slavin added a backhand finish on the doorstep with the Canes on the power play late in the third period, and Necas capped the scoring with an empty netter with 36.8 minutes left.
The Canes will continue their exhibition schedule with a road tilt against the Nashville Predators Tuesday night.
