The Hurricanes need to learn to play effectively against Golden Knights in Game 2

The Carolina Hurricanes will try to even things up against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday night. The Golden Knights overcame an early 2-0 deficit in Game 1 to to win 5-4, and for large chunks of the night, they looked like a much better team.

If Carolina wants to tie this series before it heads to Nevada, they will need to learn how to counter Vegas’ size and speed. Golden Knights’ head coach John Tortorella has his group playing with a tight defensive structure, utilizing a man-on-man strategy that is relentless on Hurricane forwards. On the other side of the ice, Vegas forwards are pounding Carolina’s defenders on every forecheck, and are generating lots of scoring chances through their physical style.

On Thursday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton discuss what helped the Golden Knights win in Game 1 and what the Hurricanes need to do to tie the series.

Tyler Yaremchuk: If the Hurricanes are going to win Game 2 … they must do what?

Carter Hutton: Be effective against the way Vegas plays … the physicality in the offensive zone is something I notice when I watch Vegas. It’s going to be snuffing out plays early. I think this is where the man-on-man comes into play, because Vegas is a heavy team. You can prep for it, you can get ready knowing Vegas is a big, strong team, but until you’re in it, until you’re in those corner battles, you need to find a way to get through it.

I think the Hurricanes need to find a way to stimie Vegas’ size in the offensive zone, if they want to win.

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…