Latest news with #JaccobSlavin
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Jaccob Slavin excels as Carolina Hurricanes hold off elimination, Dallas Stars battle serious offense crisis
Jaccob Slavin produced a defensive gem in Game 4 as the Carolina Hurricanes blanked the Florida Panthers 3-0 to remain alive in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Even with Slavin's one-man show, the Hurricanes remain behind 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Final and are up against long odds to beat a Florida Panthers squad pursuing a third consecutive final appearance. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Out west, the Edmonton Oilers are one victory away from reaching the Western Conference Final, as the Dallas Stars can't catch any kind of offensive rhythm in their semifinal series. Jaccob Slavin anchors Carolina Hurricanes' defense in clutch win over Florida Panthers Defenseman Jaccob Slavin ensured Carolina Hurricanes were not out yet. Slavin was the driving force behind his team's Game 4 win over the Florida Panthers, posting a 4.03 Game Score — the highest of all skaters — with no points on the board. Rather, he set the tempo with exceptional positioning, stickhandling, and penalty-killing. Slavin logged close to 28 minutes in all situations, assisting Carolina in limiting the Florida Panthers to a mere 12 shot attempts and no goals in his five-on-five time on ice. He didn't front the team in minutes in games one through three of the series — a curious choice — but Game 4 was different. His defensive dependability provided Carolina with an as-needed lifeline in the series, even if history isn't on their side: no team has ever rebounded from a 3-0 deficit in a conference final. After a bumpy playoff start, Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner now has given up one or fewer goals in five of his last six games. His 33-save effort in Game 4 — including 2.29 expected goals saved during the first period alone — held the fort in a close game that ultimately became a 4-1 victory with two late empty-netters. While the Oilers are on the rise, the Dallas Stars are falling. Their offense has imploded since the opening game, managing to score just two goals over the last three games. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Dallas is now creating only 1.65 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five in the playoffs — second-worst among all postseason teams. Star players such as Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz, and Jason Robertson have fallen silent at the most inopportune moment. During Game 4, the trio mustered only five shot attempts between them in 11 minutes, being dominated in possession and expected goals. Also read: The Carolina Hurricanes have purchased some time, courtesy of Jaccob Slavin's wizardry on the blue line. But turning the tide against a Florida Panthers club with championship bloodlines is a tall task. In the West, the Edmonton Oilers are displaying resilience and balance, pinning the Dallas Stars on the edge of extinction. Unless the Stars find their offense again, an Edmonton-Florida Stanley Cup Final rematch may become a reality in a hurry.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
What Hurricanes must replicate to win Game 5 against Panthers
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes picked up a win and shed the stigma of the franchise having lost 15 consecutive conference final games with their 3-0 victory over the Panthers on Monday in Sunrise, Fla. While there was a collective sense of relief from the hockey world, Carolina never saw winning Game 4 as a means to move on from an annoying and distracting storyline. Instead, it was step one in the Hurricanes trying to do the improbable: win four straight games and keep their quest for the Stanley Cup alive. Advertisement So what does Carolina need to do to recreate its success in Wednesday's Game 5 in Raleigh? Here's a road map. The past year has been a coming-out party for Jaccob Slavin. Slavin's play at the 4 Nations Face-Off — for my money, he was the best player in the tournament — finally got him the attention he deserved on the national/Canadian stage. He's been equally as good in the NHL playoffs, even in this series when nearly everything that could have gone wrong did in the first three games. Plus/minus is an antiquated stat, but it's hard to ignore when something this alarming jumps off the page: In the first three games against Florida, Slavin had an even plus/minus despite Carolina being outscored 16-4. The Panthers scored a combined four power-play goals in the first two games, but Slavin was on for just one of them. And then in Game 4, Slavin was on the ice for all three of Carolina's goals — Logan Stankoven's game winner and both empty net goals. That's a plus 3 for a player who has been on a team that's been outscored by nine goals through four games. For the postseason, he's plus 10 — tied for fifth best in the playoffs and tops among the Hurricanes. So what can coach Rod Brind'Amour do to maximize Slavin's effectiveness? Well, look back at what he did in Game 4 — specifically, getting No. 74 on the ice as much as possible. Slavin played 28 minutes Monday, nearly four minutes more than he played in any game this postseason that didn't go to overtime. The 28 minutes were the sixth most Slavin has logged in a regulation game in his 830 regular-season and playoff games. How do you keep Florida from scoring? You play Slavin — a lot. Just ask Team USA. As mentioned, the Hurricanes' penalty kill got shelled in the first two games of the series, allowing four goals on five opportunities. Advertisement It's no coincidence that Carolina played Florida evenly for much of Games 3 and 4 and, in those games, has killed off all eight of the Panthers' power plays. 'We had some big ones and at big moments in the game,' Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho said after the Game 4 win. 'And Freddy (Andersen) was unreal. … The killers were really good today.' The Hurricanes limited the Panthers to four shots on goal in eight power-play minutes, and four of Carolina's 14 blocked shots came while short-handed. Slavin, unsurprisingly, had two of those penalty kill blocks among his game-high four. 'I just think there was a level of desperation there on the kill,' Brind'Amour said. 'A lot of it, there's breakdowns, all of a sudden, guys are flying in there trying to just get in the way, which is what you have to do.' This season's Hurricanes have a track record of getting white hot on the PK, with three streaks of at least seven straight games without allowing a power-play goal. Carolina also started the postseason with six consecutive games during which they were perfect on the kill. The Hurricanes' penalty kill undoubtedly needs to be more like what it was in the last two games than it was in the first two of the series to have a chance to make this more than a gentleman's sweep. The Hurricanes had four rookies in the lineup in the last two games, and two in particular stepped up in Game 4. Stankoven isn't new to the Stanley Cup playoffs — he played 19 postseason games last season in the Stars' run to the Western Conference final — but he's taken his game to another level with Carolina. In 14 games in these playoffs, he's already matched the eight points he had a year ago. 'The goals and, I guess, points may not come right away, and you've got to stay patient as a player,' Stankoven said after Game 4 of the reason for his success. 'And for me, it's just trying to chip in with some secondary scoring and help these guys out. You never know when things are going to open up and you'll get your chances. So you've got to stay ready and make sure you bear down on them.' Advertisement After scoring Monday, his five goals are the most by a playoff rookie since Dallas had two players (Joel Kiviranta with five goals and Denis Gurianov with nine) score that at least many in a playoff campaign. Only two other players in Whalers/Hurricanes history have scored five goals in one postseason: Warren Foegele, who had five in 2019, and Erik Cole, who scored six times in Carolina's Cinderella run to the Cup final in 2002. On defense, Alexander Nikishin had a breakout performance in Game 4, registering his first career NHL point on a nifty backhand pass that sprung Stankoven for his goal. He logged just a few seconds under 19 minutes in each of the last two games. The only other rookie defensemen to play consecutive games of 18-plus minutes in a conference final in the 2020s were Vegas' Zach Whitecloud in 2020 and Colorado's Bowen Byram in 2022. The Hurricanes will need Stankoven and Nikishin — along with Jackson Blake and Scott Morrow — to contribute positively if they want to send the series back to Florida. Florida fans derisively chanted, 'We want Freddie!' in the third period of Game 3 as the Panthers scored five goals to bury Carolina in what had been a tight game. It turns out the rat-tossing clientele of Amerant Bank Center probably wished they didn't ask for the veteran goalie. Andersen pitched his second shutout of the playoffs, playing behind a stout Hurricanes defense and within his means. Through two rounds, Andersen was certainly in Conn Smythe Trophy consideration after he allowed just 12 goals in his first nine appearances of the playoffs. It came crashing down in Games 1 and 2 against Florida as he allowed nine goals in back-to-back blowout losses. But after Brind'Amour went with Pyotr Kochetkov in Game 3 in Sunrise, he turned back to Andersen in Game 4 and was rewarded. Advertisement Can Andersen get back to that early postseason groove? He's 2-2 with a .905 save percentage in his career in the games after he recorded a shutout, though both of those losses came in overtime. On the flip side, Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has been on the wrong end of a shutout loss four times in his career. Twice, those blankings were season-ending losses (one with Columbus, the other with Florida). He also suffered a 1-0 loss in his playoff debut with Philadelphia in 2011. He was shelled in the following game, allowing three goals on seven shots before being relieved by Brian Boucher in a Flyers comeback win. Most recently, the Panthers were shut out 2-0 in Game 6 against the Maple Leafs a week and a half ago, but the defending champs won the series clincher 6-1 by stopping 19 of 20 shots. (Top photo of Jaccob Slavin: Sam Navarro / Imagn Images)
New York Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
NHL playoffs vibe check: Jaccob Slavin's defensive excellence, concern in Dallas and more
With a 3-0 win in Game 4 on Monday, the Carolina Hurricanes finally put an end to a 15-game losing streak in the Eastern Conference final. But the odds of a comeback against the reigning champs are still slim. According to The Model™️, the Canes have only a 10 percent chance of advancing. If the Florida Panthers advance, it'll be their third straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final. It would be the sixth consecutive season with a Florida-based team in the final, as the Tampa Bay Lightning reached the final in 2022 and won back-to-back in 2020 and 2021. Advertisement Though a handful of teams have come back recently from a 3-1 hole — from the Panthers against the Boston Bruins in 2023, to the New York Rangers over the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2022, and the Montreal Canadiens over the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2021 — a 3-0 deficit is a different animal. Several teams have tried to win four straight while facing elimination, including the Edmonton Oilers in the final last June, but few have pulled it off. Only four teams have successfully done it in Stanley Cup playoff history, and none in a conference final: The Maple Leafs (1942 final over the Detroit Red Wings), New York Islanders (Round 1 against the Penguins in 1975), Philadelphia Flyers (Round 2 against the Bruins in 2010) and Los Angeles Kings (Round 1 over the San Jose Sharks in 2014). So, as convincing as the Hurricanes' Game 4 win was, it's going to take a lot more to claw their way back into this series. With the Oilers' 4-1 win in Game 4, we're one step closer to a Stanley Cup Final rematch. Stanley Cup rematches are rare in today's NHL. There have been only three instances in the last 50 years. The Red Wings won against the Penguins in 2008, and then Pittsburgh flipped the switch in 2009 against Detroit. That was the first time since 1984, when the Islanders and Oilers went head-to-head for the second consecutive year. Going even further back, the Canadiens and Bruins met for two straight years in 1977 and 1978, with Montreal winning both times. Before an Oilers-Panthers rematch can even become a possibility, these teams have to get through their respective conferences first. The star of Game 4 in the Eastern Conference final? Jaccob Slavin, who led all skaters with a 4.03 Game Score. That number is even more impressive considering he didn't earn a single point on any of the Hurricanes' three goals. Instead, it was all fueled by his two-way play. Slavin's positioning and stickwork are major strengths that were on display all night. In his 18:22 five-on-five minutes, the Canes had a 23-12 shot-attempt advantage and a 1-0 scoring edge. Carolina generated a team-high 1.64 expected goals for in his minutes and gave up only 0.18, which equates to a 90 percent expected goal rate. Advertisement Expand to all situations, and that ice time jumped to 28 minutes (and the Canes' scoring edge adds to 3-0). Slavin's workload in those minutes was anything but easy. His primary matchup was against the Carter Verhaeghe–Sam Bennett–Matthew Tkachuk line at five-on-five, but he still saw a lot of Aleksander Barkov. And he played 6:10 minutes on the penalty kill (out of the Canes' eight short-handed minutes) to keep the Panthers' power play off the board. And he was over the boards every other shift to defend Carolina's 1-0 lead late in regulation. Jaccob Slavin doing what he does best in the d-zone 🫡 📺: Canes 🆚 Panthers on Sportsnet — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 27, 2025 Slavin can't force the Canes back into this series, but he can give the team consistency from the back end that helps set the foundation for success. Playing 28 minutes a game may not be sustainable, but the Hurricanes need to lean on their No. 1 more to extend this series. As much as teams may want even deployment, some situations call for heavier minutes. It's one thing to expect that in Round 1 and onward through four rounds. It's another in the conference final, especially when the team is without one of its top four defenders. But oddly enough, Slavin didn't lead the team in usage in games 1-3. And while not playing on the power play is a factor in that, it also didn't stop him from averaging the most ice time at five-on-five and in all situations in the regular season. The Panthers might be one of the deepest teams in the league, but some injuries still hit hard. And Sam Reinhart's absence was felt in Florida, especially Monday night. Reinhart is a key cog in the Panthers' attack. He plays in all situations, in matchup minutes, which isn't easy to replace. Jesper Boqvist tried to fill his skates in games 3 and 4. And Saturday night, he played well alongside Barkov and Evan Rodrigues. In 8:43 five-on-five minutes, that new-look top line dominated play with 94 percent of the expected goal share and outscored the Hurricanes 3-0. But in Game 4, that line didn't bring the same spark. In less than six minutes of action, Florida was outshot (7-4 in attempts, 6-2 on goal) and outscored (1-0) and couldn't even muster a 14 percent expected goal rate. That led to some third-period adjustments, with Brad Marchand jumping to the first line in Boqvist's place. Advertisement The Panthers' struggles weren't exclusive to the Barkov line, but sometimes a trickle-down effect leads to everyone falling out of sync. It doesn't help that the power play couldn't make up for those five-on-five lapses in Game 4. Florida's top unit managed to score a power-play goal after Reinhart left Game 2 but has since been held off the scoresheet despite having almost 15 minutes of opportunity. Reinhart might have only two power-play points in the playoffs, but he was on the ice for eight of the team's 12 goals; in the regular season, he was on for 45 of 55 power-play goals. Without him, a top unit of three forwards and two defensemen isn't cutting it. So if Reinhart isn't ready to return Wednesday night — and that's still up in the air — the Panthers need to step up in his absence. Most think of the Oilers' goaltending as chaotic and erratic. And most would be right — it was just a few weeks ago that Stuart Skinner lost his No. 1 role to Calvin Pickard in Round 1 after an abysmal start to the postseason. But the Skinner glow-up has been real since returning to action. Skinner's first game back against the Vegas Golden Knights was a little shaky, but he quickly found his footing with back-to-back shutouts to close out Round 2. And now he's been a difference-maker against the Dallas Stars, with three quality starts in four games. The latest came in Game 4, when Skinner saved 3.27 goals above expected; that brings his GSAx to 6.88 against Dallas. And that more than wipes out his poor start to the playoffs, when he allowed 5.32 more goals than expected in his first three outings. Skinner isn't in this alone — the Oilers' high-octane offense has given him goal support, and the defense has been really solid over the last two rounds (and that's why the team doesn't have to rush Mattias Ekholm back from injury). But the difference over this last stretch is that he is coming up with key saves to win tight, low-scoring games. Just take his Game 4 performance, when Skinner turned aside 33 unblocked shots worth 2.29 expected goals in the first 20 minutes of play. His play gave the Oilers a chance in what was a 2-1 game until two empty-netters sealed the win in the last few minutes of regulation. Now, in five of his last six games, Skinner has allowed one goal or less. Advertisement That's the energy the Oilers need Skinner to bring, especially with some key injuries up front to Connor Brown and Zach Hyman. If Edmonton's offensive attack suffers from it, that steady goaltending is going to be all the more important. On the flip side of the Oilers' goaltending, the conversation shifts to the Stars' offense, which has completely dried up. That looked like a potential weak point for Dallas heading into this series because the team scored at a rate of only 1.87 goals per 60 at five-on-five through two rounds. Mikko Rantanen's star power and a power play that tallied 12 goals in about 60 minutes of opportunity helped make up for it. A convincing Game 1 win over Edmonton helped quiet any concerns when the supporting cast picked up the pace with goals from Tyler Seguin, Mikael Granlund and Matt Duchene. So did the fact that Dallas scored three power-play goals against the Oilers, after going 0-for-14 against them in the Western Conference final last spring. But since then, the Stars have mustered only two goals over the next three games, which has pushed them to the brink of elimination. It doesn't help that since Game 1, Dallas has converted only once in 14:37 of power-play minutes. But the core issues are at five-on-five, where the Stars have been outscored 9-3. Those three goals bring down the Stars' playoff-wide five-on-five scoring rate to 1.65 per 60, which ranks 15th out of the 16 teams to qualify for the postseason. The Stars' forward depth — their best strength — hasn't stepped up enough this series, but unlike Round 2, the big guns aren't, either. Their top line was the weakest with a chance to tie the series in Game 4. Rantanen, Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz struggled in 11:33 minutes of play, with the team generating only five shot attempts in their minutes (while giving up 17) and a 28 percent expected goal rate. Instead of being tied 2-2, this team is now down 3-1. Until the Stars change the story and find an offensive spark, the clock is officially ticking on their season. Dallas is one game away from being eliminated by the Oilers for the second straight year. — Data via Evolving-Hockey, HockeyViz, HockeyStatCards, All Three Zones and Natural Stat Trick. This story relies on shot-based metrics; here is a primer on those numbers. (Top photo of Jaccob Slavin and Aleksander Barkov: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Jaccob Slavin's life, career, and impact on Team USA
Jaccob Slavin #74 of the Carolina Hurricanes (Credit: Getty Image) Jaccob Slavin was born in Erie, Colorado. And here his life began in a sports-driven family that valued discipline and resilience, as growing up, his natural talent was shaped by structured routines and strong family support. His parents, both with athletic backgrounds, gave him a clear path toward the rigors of professional sports; these early years laid the groundwork for a career. This is defined by consistency and quiet leadership, Slavin's college years at the University of Denver were a continuation of that disciplined approach. And here his standout performances signaled he was ready for the NHL stage. From Carolina to Team USA's backbone in defense View this post on Instagram A post shared by ColorsTV (@colorstv) Drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2012. Slavin made his NHL debut in 2015, here he quickly rose to become one of the league's top defensive players, while not a regular name on scoring sheets. His impact is deeply felt in every game. For Team USA, especially in the 4 Nations Face-Off. And his role has been even more critical, in a tournament full of high-energy stars and offensive fireworks. Slavin has been the silent backbone, with unmatched defensive instincts, elite skating, and game-reading abilities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like नोएडा में बिक्री के लिए 3बीएचके फ्लैट की कीमतें आपको आश्चर्यचकित कर सकती हैं! 3BHK Flat For Sale in Noida | search ads Undo Here he shuts down the league's top forwards with ease, his average of over 21 minutes per game for Team USA reflects just how trusted he is by the coaching staff, also his ability to avoid penalties. While defending in high-pressure situations is a testament to his control and intelligence on the ice. Life of Jaccob Slavin beyond the spotlight Jaccob Slavin (Credit: Getty Image) Slavin's personal life reflects the same humility he shows in games, as he keeps a low profile, rarely making headlines for anything off the ice, and despite being in a committed relationship, he keeps details private. This is choosing instead to let his game speak for itself, as he is known for being deeply committed to his family and his community. This is participating in charity work and youth mentorship, as his quiet strength is not limited to the rink; he advocates for mental health and often shares his passion for the outdoors. As a way to maintain balance, Slavin's $12 million net worth supports a modest, purpose-driven lifestyle, focused more on impact than indulgence. Read more: Aleksander Barkov's achievement and lifestyle beyond his NHL success With over 700 NHL games and multiple 30-point seasons. Slavin's stats are strong. But never his main selling point. This defines his hockey life is reliability, leadership, and impact in crucial moments. He has become the model for a shutdown defenseman in the modern game, anchoring penalty kills and neutralizing top opponents without fanfare. For Team USA, especially at this tournament, his ability to stop elite scorers has been just as valuable as the goals scored on the other end. His defensive excellence against names like Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby shows exactly why he remains irreplaceable. Slavin may not seek headlines, but he's been essential in writing Team USA's winning story. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
New York Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Jaccob Slavin, ‘a walking manual for how to play defense,' has earned this moment
RALEIGH, N.C. — For six years, Matthew Tkachuk and the most underrated elite defenseman in the NHL were ships passing in the night. Tkachuk had heard things about Jaccob Slavin, of course. How could you not? The backbone of the Carolina Hurricanes might be under-discussed, but he is not invisible. But when Tkachuk played for the Calgary Flames, he only had to deal with Slavin twice a year, limiting his firsthand experience and forcing him to base most of his opinion on the words of others. Advertisement In the 2023 Eastern Conference finals, his appreciation grew. 'Each game you play (Slavin) you see something different,' Tkachuk said. To truly learn what Slavin is about, though, is to skate with him. To watch him up close — and on that front, thanks to the 11-year absence of true best-on-best international hockey, Tkachuk never had the opportunity. In February 2025, that changed. 'At that (4 Nations Face-Off),' Tkachuk said. 'I really saw how unbelievable a player he is. 'Defensively, his stick, blocking shots, the little plays he'd make. He got every shot through. Like, the little stuff that people don't get credit for that you might look at — the top point-getters in the league for (defensemen) get all the credit. But I mean, he's right up there with the best in the world.' It made sense, then, for Tkachuk to help start a moment that Slavin, three months later, still seems to be living inside. He had already been one of the tournament's breakout stars in the United States; broadcast crews on ESPN and TNT decided, en masse, that it was time for the guy who does the little things better than anyone to assume a larger platform. Tkachuk helped it along. Wearing a microphone for the 4 Nations final against Canada, Tkachuk, along with his brother Brady and Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, were recorded on the Team U.S. bench gassing up Slavin for one of his signature skills. 'What a stick, Slavo,' Tkachuk yelled. 'That was special.' On May 15, Capitals coach Spencer Carbery pushed the snowball even further down the hill, moments after his team's season ended. Carbery could've opened his media conference by saying anything about anyone. He chose to gas up the guy who'd tortured Washington most acutely in their five-game series, keeping the Capitals in neutral and turning yet another appreciator into a true believer. Advertisement 'He doesn't get enough credit,' Carbery said. 'I think he's started to get credit since the 4 Nations. Jaccob Slavin — how he's not in the Norris Trophy conversation every single year, it doesn't seem right. Obviously the guys that are there are tremendous players in their own right, but that is one heck of a player. 'This team — and that's the reason I mentioned Slavin early, because he leads the charge in this — they are just relentless with their pressure. And their ability to break plays up with their sticks, there's no team in the league like 'em.' Slavin, for his part, appreciates the shine but says he doesn't require it. A lyric from the Christian artist Lecrae — 'If you live for their acceptance, you'll die from their rejection' — is never far from his mind. Why this degree of recognition was delayed is, in all likelihood, due to a combination of factors. The Hurricanes play in a small market, which never helps. Their head coach is the face of their franchise, which is uncommon. Slavin's game revolves around breaking up plays, batting down passes and cutting off puck carriers, which takes him out of the Cale Makar class. 'Slavin doesn't get that (level of attention),' Minnesota Wild and Team USA defenseman Brock Faber said. 'And so you never really understand the impact he can make on a game, with basically just being invisible, when you don't notice him. He's the best because he's just closing plays. He's not turning the puck over. He's doing so many little things that just go unnoticed that make such an impact.' Slavin's 2024-25 season was, for him, boilerplate; he was seventh among regular NHL defensemen in both scoring chance percentage (57.4) and expected goals percentage (56.4) at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick. He did all that playing tough minutes against elite competition, and he did it while leading one of the NHL's best penalty kills. That's who he is, and it's who he's been for years. Advertisement In any case, the recognition has arrived. And it's deserved, regardless of how much time Slavin spends on tracking it. 'I think anybody would say it's nice to have it happen that way and people starting to notice that you're a good player, but at the end of the day for myself, it's just words,' Slavin said. 'It's not where my identity lies. That's not where my confidence comes from.' And that confidence, if you watch closely enough, manifests on ice. What other word would you use to describe the goal Slavin scored to put Carolina up 2-0 in Game 4 of their first-round series against the New Jersey Devils? Slavin, already inside New Jersey's blue line, pressured Devils forward Stefan Noesen even further, denying the clearing attempt and setting up a bad-angle shot for himself that he still managed to bury. It didn't happen quickly enough to miss — but it might have happened too quickly for the full impact to fully register. 'Most players in that situation would be trying to get their stick in the lane, hoping to deflect the clearing attempt. Jaccob doesn't just try to get his stick on it; he swings his stick down toward the puck like a fly swatter,' Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky said. 'The audacity of that play is incredible — he's not just trying to deflect the dump-out, he's trying to catch it! And he does, and then he finishes the play with a perfect shot, but it all starts with a defensive stick play that I don't think anyone else in the league would even try to make.' Scott Morrow feels the same. The Hurricanes rookie defenseman, with all of 17 NHL games under his belt, has spent large chunks of the last few months watching Slavin at practice, on video and from the press box. In some ways, Morrow said, Slavin is 'a walking manual for how to play defense.' In others, well … 'He's an alien, almost, with how good he is at some of this stuff,' Morrow said. 'I try and learn as much as I can, but there's some things where I'm like, 'Oh man, I don't know if I could ever be as good as this guy at this specific thing.'' Advertisement Such as? 'The way he bats pucks out of the air, like, instinctively,' Morrow said. 'If I'm playing a rush, I have my stick on the ice trying to take away the passing lanes, but he's got the whole airspace covered as well. It's insane how he has 3-4 a game where he just knocks out of the air and kills the play. It's incredible to watch.' That doesn't just apply to rookies, either. Longtime teammates can be amazed, too. 'You try and get it through him and when you do, you get pretty excited about it. That's like scoring a goal. So you cheer pretty hard when you can get it through him or get it by him,' said Jordan Martinook, who has played with Slavin since 2018. 'Obviously, we're lucky to see that every day and we're not gonna take it for granted, because he's an incredible player and it's nice that he starts getting some recognition that he deserves.'
