Never Out of It
The Hurricanes didn't trail in Minnesota until the third period, when they first fell behind 3-2 and then 4-3. Both times they fought back to tie the game, first Sebastian Aho on the power play and then Justin Williams with the extra attacker on and just 68 seconds remaining in regulation.
PROJECTED LINEUP
This was one of those games, too, where the Hurricanes could have easily folded - vastly outshooting their opponent but struggling on special teams and falling behind twice in the final period - but they remained resilient, a trait that has defined the club's early-season identity.
"It's just an attitude, an attitude that we're never out of it and we can get it done," Williams said. "It's very early, but we're trending in the right direction and doing a lot of good things. Because of it, we're racking up some wins."
"The simple fact is that we're creating a lot of offense, so I think they feel like it doesn't matter if we give up one. We'll at least be able to create enough chances to get back," Brind'Amour said. "We've got a good leadership group. They don't hang their heads."
Aho Leads the Charge
"He's a good player," Williams said, matter-of-factly, after the Canes' 5-4 win in Minnesota.
He was, of course, talking about Aho, who tallied two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, and two assists in a first-star performance.
His two goals came at critical junctures, too. The first, a long rebound goal, finally got the Canes' power play on the board and tied the game at three in the third period. The second secured the extra point for the Canes in 3-on-3 overtime, as Aho accepted a pass from Williams, took a couple of steps to the middle of the ice and rifled a wrist shot past Devan Dubnyk.
Aho now leads the Canes in both goals (4) and points (10) in the first five games of the season.
"Game by game. We're not done. We want to get better every day," he said. "We're a young team. We've got to learn every day."
An Eye on Special Teams
While the Canes have found early season results, special teams play has been a bit of a speed bump, so much so that it could have very well been a primary factor in the team's first regulation loss of the season.
The Canes surrendered two power-play goals, and, before they tied the game in the third period on their seventh power play of the game, they were 0-for-6 in the game and 1-for-16 on the season on the man advantage (and the one conversion was an empty-net goal).
Instead, the Canes fought through it, bounced back and won the game. But, it's not a long-term recipe for success.
"Our special teams are not good enough. Our power play isn't good enough, and our penalty kill is not good enough," Williams said. "That's the reason we were tied after the first period and the reason we had to battle back in this one. We'll work on it. It's only game five."
The Opposition
Sunday's match marks the beginning of a six-game homestand for the Winnipeg Jets, who are 2-2-0 on the young season. Most recently, the Jets were shut out, 3-0, In Nashville on Thursday.
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS KEYS TO THE GAME
