""You guys have watched the Carolina Hurricanes; they start better than anybody in the National Hockey League. Very consistent, they come at you with a pace that you can't work your way into, and it shouldn't have surprised us," Kings head coach Jim Hiller said. "That's the most disappointing part of the game [...] we weren't ready to play at the pace they were ready to play at, and they are known for that.""
"A lack of awareness allowed Staal to be wide open in front of the net twice. Cody Ceci was beaten around the net, which caused Quinton Byfield to attack his man, leaving the Hurricanes captain all alone for an easy tap-in at the far post. It went from bad to worse minutes later when Samuel Helenius made the head-scratching decision to chase a play in the corner, once again leaving Staal wide-open, this time right in the slot."
The Kings allowed a goal 20 seconds into the home game and trailed early, marking the fourth time they have played from behind in six games. The Hurricanes exploited a fast, aggressive start and put the Kings on their heels with sustained pressure. Individual defensive mistakes produced all three Carolina goals, with Staal left wide open twice, Cody Ceci beaten around the net, and Samuel Helenius abandoning his position in the corner. Those lapses led to an easy tap-in and a slot opportunity, giving Carolina early momentum and control of the opening period.
Read at The Hockey Writers
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