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Carolina Hurricanes Game Day Thoughts: Devil of a Time

By Matthew Barlowe

Jan 3, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; New Jersey Devils defensemen Jon Merrill (7) goes down to block a shot against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The New Jersey Devils defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; New Jersey Devils defensemen Jon Merrill (7) goes down to block a shot against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The New Jersey Devils defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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In the last stop on their four-game road trip, the Carolina Hurricanes take on the New Jersey Devils

Nothing is quite as stressful as watching the scoreboard for a game that otherwise wouldn’t really matter.  What’s worse is that since those teams know the severity of leaving without points the hockey itself is unwatchable as well.

Take the Detroit Red Wing and Tampa Bay Lightning game last night.  After one period, the shots were eight for Tampa and six for Detroit.  Having to cheer for the Red Wings were bad enough, but having to cheer for them while being bored at the same time?  No thanks.

So I turned it off and caught up on some Designated Survivor.  The analysts are calling it a bad decision but what do they know?  Didn’t matter, though. I kept checking my phone for updates as regularly as a diabetic takes their insulin.

Of course, the Red Wings disappointed in overtime, but that’s nothing new this season just ask their fans.  But the Penguins?  I had faith in you guys and you blew it as well.  On the bright side, though, it was literally impossible for me to think any less of your franchise so the Penguins have that going for them.  Maybe Pittsburgh can make it up to the Canes a week from this Sunday.  We all knew this wasn’t going to be easy.

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Game Day Thoughts

  • The Carolina Hurricanes have yet to beat the New Jersey Devils this year.  Going 0-2-1 against the team earlier in the season.  While the Devils weren’t in there clear tank mode at that time, the team was definitely nothing to write home about.
  • With the wins last night of Tampa and NYI, the Hurricanes sit five points behind the Islanders with one game in hand.  Four points behind Tampa Bay with 2 games in hand.  Boston didn’t play so they still remain five points behind the Bruins with 2 games in hand.
  • Tonight’s game against the Devils is the last on the four-game road swing that has seen the Hurricanes go 2-0-1.  Even with that record that’s only eleven wins on the road this season. If this team wants to make the playoffs next year they have to win more games on the road.
  • Perennial Vezina candidate Cory Schneider has been less than stellar this year.  His .911 SV% will be the first time Schneider will end the season with a save percentage below .920 since 2010.  The Hurricanes must take advantage.
  • Last I checked the Canes playoff chances are at six percent.  The wins by Tampa and the Islanders might have knocked those down a bit.  Not very good chances for sure, but there is still a little bit of hope.
  • Taylor Hall might be playing through some injuries.  This is good for the Carolina Hurricanes because Hall is one of the best offensive players in the league.  With the Devils position though any chance to sit Hall and lose more games should be taken advantage of by Ray Shero.  Letting your franchise star potentially injure himself further is just straight idiocy

Next: Under appreciated Hurricanes Players

  • With Eddie Lack’s performance in Montreal, one would think that any idea of there being a goalie controversy a laughable idea.  With only two back to back games left in the season Cam Ward should only get two more starts with the way Lack is playing.  This means I expect Cam Ward to start tonight in New Jersey.
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