Recap: Canes, Andersen Shut Out Canadiens, 4-0

RALEIGH, NC. -The Carolina Hurricanes put on a controlling performance Thursday, shutting out the Montreal Canadiens by a score of 4-0.

Three Things:

1) Grabbing Control Of The Game Early
So often we hear about teams being ready to go from the opening puck drop and tonight the Canes were that.
Kicked off by a strong shift from the line of Nino Niederreiter, Jordan Staal and Jesper Fast, the Canes were able to seemingly execute their game plan exactly how they hoped. They dictated where the game was played, when the game was played and how it was played over the entirety of the first 40 minutes.
A Sebastian Aho power play goal 3:48 in was the only offense the team would have needed all night, but the foot remained on the gas, adding another first period marker from Andrei Svechnikov.
In the second they produced a single-period season high 26 shots on goal, peppering Jake Allen from all angles.
While the third period wasn't quite the same as the first two, they'd done enough to essentially have it in cruise control until the finish.

2) Show Love For The Goalies
Calm, cool and consistent throughout, Frederik Andersen made the exceptional feel regular once again tonight.
With his team controlling possession at the other end of the ice for the majority of the first 40 minutes, the All-Star's tests were sporadic, but when he was needed, he was there.
Then in the final frame of regulation the game kind of flipped upside on Andersen, forced to backstop three penalty kills and turn away seven of Montreal's ten
high dangers chances
on the night.
But when the final horn sounded it was 32/32 for #31, claiming his fourth shutout of the season.
3) Points In Six Straight
Dating back to last Tuesday's 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, the team has now taken at least a point in their last six contests.
Although there was the hardship last Thursday night against Dallas, there's been a consistency in the way that the team has played of late, which is incredibly encouraging as we now enter the final calendar month of the regular season.
The goal scoring is certainly there, scoring an average of over four per night during the stretch.
The defense? Allowing an average of just two.
And as tonight exemplified, the goaltending is certainly rolling as well.
Not a bad way to go into April.

They Said It:
Tony DeAngeloon what he liked about tonight's effort:
"It all starts with Jordo's line and the way they hold the puck down low. It starts tiring other teams out and then the next line comes out and they do it and the next line comes out and they do it. It's a lot of volume, right? When it happens to you, you're getting tired. We do a really good job of it and I think we did a really good job at the start tonight. That's our identity and we stuck to it."
Rod Brind'Amouroffering his thoughts on another outstanding evening from Andersen:
"We want to get to where we want to get to and that position needs to be solid as rock. He's been great, Rants has been great. It's comforting. You're going to have your breakdowns and you're going to have your mistakes, when you can suddenly cover them up, that's big. Even tonight. We didn't give up much, but there's little things and those are going to happen. He shuts the door and we keep moving on. He was big."
Frederik Andersentouching on the penalty kill and what's made them so successful:
"Everyone is buying in and that's huge. Everyone's out there with a purpose. You see a lot of times the opposing team's power play] doesn't even get to get in the zone and set up. We're already on them and denying their entries. Those have been big keys. Some good blocked shots doesn't hurt either.
**What's Next?:**
The Canes are scheduled to practice Friday before taking on the Minnesota Wild Saturday for Military Appreciation Night.
**Bonus Notes:**
**Worth A Click:**
[Canes Sign Noel Gunler To Entry-Level Contract
Canes Wrap Up Road Trip With Point In Tampa
Kotkaniemi Elated To Be A Cane For The Long Haul
Hurricanes April Schedule
NHL Standings