After up-and-down rookie season, Canes’ Warren Foegele finding his stride in playoffs

Warren Foegele was not expecting Jaccob Slavin to pass it to him.

As Slavin raced down the ice, there was no one in front of him — only the Washington Capitals’ goalie, Braden Holtby. Slavin had the open shot, but at the last second he passed to Foegele, who was to his left, and the rookie forward scored.

“I was just trying to go to the net hard and that was a great play from (Justin Williams) to Slavin there,” Foegele said.

The goal occurred 17 seconds into Game 4 of the Eastern Conference playoff series and gave the Hurricanes an early 1-0 lead. It was the fastest game-opening goal and period-opening goal in franchise playoff history.

Because of injuries to forwards Andrei Svechnikov and Micheal Ferland, Foegele has gotten more minutes in the last two games. He played a series-high 17 minutes and four seconds Thursday in a 2-1 win over the Capitals at PNC Arena. The Hurricanes tied the series 2-2 and Foegele’s game-opening goal was a big part of it.

Through four playoff games, Foegele now leads the team with three goals and is tied for the team lead with five points. He has been one of the Hurricanes best offensive players in this series, especially in their two wins.

Foegele scored two goals Monday in a 5-0 win over the Capitals, the Canes’ first home playoff game since 2009.

Foegele’s start to the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs is similar to his start to the 2018-19 season. Hot. He scored three goals in the first four games, but he later hit the rookie “wall.” Foegele did not score a fourth goal until 28 games later.

Foegele said it was tough during the first few months of the season, but his teammates and coaches kept telling him to continue to work hard and things would fall into place.

It took a while, but eventually it did. Foegele has five goals in his last six games dating back to the regular season.

“Eighty-two games is a long season. He’s never played that, ever,” Canes captain Justin Williams said. “So first year there are ups and downs. At the end of the year everyone’s stats are back to zero and he’s been great.”

Foegele, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound left wing and native of Markham, Ont., was drafted in the third round of the 2014 NHL draft. In September, it wasn’t initially clear whether he would make the Hurricanes’ roster. But Foegele earned a spot after the preseason.

“From day one it’s been rewarding to see a guy come to camp, not really sure where he would fit in and just — you’ve got to keep him and you’ve got to play him,” Canes coach Rod Brind’Armour said. “He’s earned his ice time. He works hard, he does what you ask of him.”

Foegele, who often deflects credit from himself to his teammates, hopes to continue to make a contribution as the Hurricanes head back to D.C. for Game 5 on Saturday. The Hurricanes will need him, especially if Svechnikov and Ferland continue to miss time. Foegele said these were the moments he has dreamed of all his life.

Just as they did during the regular season, his teammates and coaches believe in him, too.

“He works his tail off,” Williams said. “He’s big. I feel like he’s kind of built for the playoffs. He’s been a horse for us and I know he’s going to continue to be.”

This story was originally published April 19, 2019 at 8:11 AM.