Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour decided to go with Raanta rather than Frederik Andersen.
“We’ve been using a rotation system all year, and I found it solid in the latter part of the season,” Brind’Amour said of Raanta. “It’s his turn. »
Raanta is 19-3-3 with a 2.23 goals-against average, .910 save percentage and four shutouts in 27 games (26 starts) this season. Andersen went 21-11-1 with a 2.48 GAA, .903 save percentage and one shutout in 34 games (33 starts), but allowed four goals on 34 shots in the Carolina won 6-4 in its final regular season game against the Florida Panthers on Thursday.
Carolina also bets on the rookie goalie Pyotr Kochetkov, recalled from the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League on Monday. The 23-year-old was 12-7-5 with a 2.44 GAA, .909 save percentage and four shutouts in 24 games (23 starts).
Raanta went 11-0-1 with a 2.06 GAA, .916 save percentage and three shutouts in 12 home games this season, but Brind’Amour said those stats didn’t matter. had no impact on his decision.
“He’s been good in almost all of his starts,” Brind’Amour said.
Anyone in goal for Carolina will be challenged to compete against Ilya Sorokin. The Islanders goaltender was 31-22-7 with a 2.34 GAA, .924 save percentage and six NHL-high shutouts in 62 games (60 starts). Among goaltenders who have played at least 41 games, only Linus Ullmarkof the Boston Bruins, posted a better average (1.89) and better save percentage (.938).
But the Hurricanes trust all of their goaltenders.
“We trust both. To the three, in fact, ”launched the striker Sebastian Oh. “We are lucky to bet on them. […] Whoever is in goal will give us a chance to win. »
Here are three things to watch for in Game 1:
1. Barzal’s Return
The Islanders were able to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs without Mathew Barzal, maintaining a 14-7-2 record when the forward missed the final 23 games of the regular season with a lower-body injury. But Barzal’s return for Game 1 will bring another dimension to New York’s offense with his skating, puck possession and playmaking skills.
Video: VAN@NYI: Barzal restores lead to Islanders
Barzal ranked second on the Islanders with 51 points (14 goals, 37 assists) in 58 games, behind Brock Nelson (75), and he’s proven himself in the playoffs with 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) in 41 games in New York’s run to the semifinals in 2020 and 2021.
“He’s fast, he’s got a lot of talent and he’s generating offense,” Islanders coach Lane Lambert said. “So it’s a good thing and obviously it helps our power play. »
2. Power play solutions
New York ranked 30th in the NHL in power-play efficiency (15.8 percent), including a 10.9 percent performance (6-for-55, last in the League) in of the last 23 games without Barzal. The Hurricanes finished tied for 19th (19.8) but have slipped to 31st (10.9; 5-for-46) in their last 18 games following a knee injury that ended the striker’s season Andrei Svechnikov.
The Islanders are the only team to have done worse during this period (9.7; 3-for-31).
“Everything we did to get here no longer means anything, hammered Brind’Amour. We’re starting fresh, so hopefully the power play will kick in. »
3. Respect your identity
Hurricanes and Islanders play different styles. The Hurricanes control the puck with a high volume of shots and a lot of pressure on the forecheck. They finished third in the NHL with an average of 34.8 shots per game and allowed 26 shots per game, the lowest average in the NHL. The Hurricanes led the League in shots attempted differential at 5-on-5 (plus-1,530). The Calgary Flames (plus-1120) are the only other team with a plus-700 differential.
The Islanders meanwhile allowed 31 shots per game on average, tied for 14th in the NHL, and posted a minus-40 5-on-5 shot attempt differential.
New York tests other teams with its toughness, as evidenced by the team’s 2,139 hits (25.8 per 60 minutes), the fifth-highest total in the NHL and a formations which are in series this year. By comparison, the Hurricanes are 30th in the NHL with 1,351 hits (16.24 per 60 minutes).
“If we continue to practice the style of play that got us here, I think everything will be fine,” Islanders defender Sebastian Aho said.
Planned formation of the Islanders
Anders Lee — Bo Horvat — Mathew Barzal
Pierre Engvall — Brock Nelson — Kyle Palmieri
Zach Parise — Jean-Gabriel Pageau — Hudson Mardi Gras
Matt Martin — Casey Cizikas — Cal Clutterbuck
Adam Pelech — Ryan Pulock
Sebastian Aho — Scott Mayfield
Samuel Bolduc — Noah Dobson
Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov
Entrenched : Josh Bailey, Simon Holmstrom, Ross Johnston, Parker Wotherspoon
Wounded : Alexander Romanov (upper body), Oliver Wahlstrom (lower body)
Planned formation of the Hurricanes
Teuvo Teravainen — Sebastian Aho — Martin Necas
Stefan Noesen — Jesperi Kotkaniemi — Seth Jarvis
Jordan Martinook — Jordan Steel — Jesper Fast
Jack Drury – Paul Stastny – Derek Stepan
Jaccob Slavin — Brent Burns
Brady Skei — Brett Pesce
Shayne Gostisbehere — Jalen Chatfield
Antti Raanta
Frederik Andersen
Entrenched : Calvin DeHaan, Dylan Coghlan, Jesse Puljujarvi
Wounded : Max Pacioretty (tendon d’Achille), Ondrej Kase (concussion)
In the notebook
The Islanders held an optional practice. … The Hurricanes did not hold a morning practice. … Puljujarvi practiced with the extra players on Monday, but Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour hasn’t ruled out the forward’s appearance in Game 1.
*With input from NHL.com Independent Correspondent Kurt Dusterberg.
2023-04-17 18:53:22
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