Panthers Ignite East Final Thriller: Explosive Game 1 Clash Fuels Rivalry and Sparks Controversy
Andersen came into the night first in the playoffs in save percentage by 18 points (.937 to Jake Oettinger’s .919) and first in goals saved above expected by five (15.1 to Oettinger’s 10.1).
In Game 1 against the Panthers, though, he wasn’t great — and if Carolina is to pull this off, it’s not going to be able to take many similar repeat performances.
Andersen allowed more than three goals for the first time in the postseason. It’s not that any were egregious — Verhaeghe beat him in tight with a backhand, Ekblad and Greer placed their shots perfectly, Bennett’s shot came through a sea of bodies, and Luostarinen was in close by himself — but part of what makes the Hurricanes the Hurricanes is steady, substantive play from Andersen. He can be their eraser if need be, and after nine strong games of filling the bill, he had himself a dud.
Post Comment