Carolina Hurricanes Have Trouble Scoring, Drop 2 of 3 this Week
Every week, Cardiac Cane will make a complete wrap-up of the Carolina Hurricane’s week for the 2015-2016 season.
Regular Season 10/19-10/25
Summary:
The Carolina Hurricanes have a goal scoring problem. It is painfully obvious. Only two teams have scored fewer than the ‘Canes, and they are Pittsburgh Penguins and the snake bit Anaheim Ducks. If Justin Faulk wasn’t playing, Carolina would have zero powerplay goals on the season. Jeff Skinner, Elias Lindholm, and Jordan Staal have a cumulative total of 3 points through 8 games. Something needs to change offensively for the team as a whole. Poor offense last season was blamed on below average shooting percentages across the board. It was assumed that shooting percentage would trend upward this season, but so far it hasn’t. Goals are required to win games and the easiest answer to Carolina’s early season woes is to put the puck in net, any way possible.
As the introduction probably eluded to, the theme this past week for the Hurricanes was offensive incapability. However, that didn’t mean the ‘Canes didn’t come out victorious. The squad came into their clash with Colorado having never won in Denver as a hockey team from North Carolina. That changed on Wednesday. The game wasn’t exactly exciting to watch. Neither team were successful on the powerplay or at even strength. With regulation time ticking down, Cam Ward truly said “No” on Matt Duchene to keep the game level with a save of the year contender. Victor Rask won the game with a nice play in 3v3 overtime, securing the 1-0 victory.
Live Feed
Eyes On Isles
In the Staples Center on Friday, the offensive issues peaked. Despite putting up 40 shots, Jonathan Quick still managed a shutout. The powerplay looked non-existent at times and there were few great scoring chances for the ‘Canes. Tyler Toffoli was red hot, scoring in the 1st period to open the scoring and then again to seal it in the 3rd. The play of the game was early in the 3rd period when defensemen Ron Hainsey tried to make a hand pass to a teammate, but instead gifted a goal to Kings star Anze Kopitar.
With Cam Ward taking the first part of the back to back situation, Eddie Lack got the start against the San Jose Sharks. To the Hurricanes credit, they played better in San Jose, but still only managed two goals. Faulk converted on the powerplay in the early 2nd period. Back from injury, Riley Nash scored at the end of the same period with a really nice individual play from behind the net. Despite the improvement, the story was Eddie Lack’s inability to hold on to pucks. On 3 separate occasions, Lack failed to cover the puck, leading to a goal for the Sharks. The game ended with a score of 5-2. Former Washington Capital Joel Ward scored a hat trick.
On a good note, 2013 3rd round draft pick Brett Pesce made his Hurricanes debut on Saturday. He didn’t look out of place on the blue line.
Finally, with his goal on Saturday, Justin Faulk has the most powerplay goals scored by a defensemen on the young season, with all three of his goals coming on the man advantage. He also leads the team in goal scoring.
Cane of the Week:
Cam Ward – 58 saves, 3 GA, .951 S%
The role of scapegoat shifted away from Ward to the Hurricanes’ offense this week. As the game against San Jose showed, this week could have been a lot worse without Ward between the pipes. First, against the Avalanche, Ward was show stopping. With only two minutes left in a tied hockey game and Matt Duchene cruising through the slot, Ward swatted the puck away incredibly. It was a world class desperation save. His acrobatics rescued the ‘Canes from a sure loss. Forgotten in the mayhem of that first save was his huge save in overtime. Jarome Iginla walked in and Ward stuffed him, leading to the eventual Rask winner.
Ward put forth another really solid outing against LA, unfortunately his stat line didn’t show it. It difficult to blame the goaltender when his d-man passes to Anze Kopitar in the open slot. Ward remained strong in relief at San Jose. He firmly cemented himself as the clear number 1 goalie this week. Hopefully he maintains his good form to close out the road trip because the ‘Canes need him. Right now, he is the biggest reason the team is staying in hockey games.
Honorable Mentions: Victor Rask, Justin Faulk
The Forecast:
Tuesday 7:30 pm @ Joe Louis Arena against the Detroit Red Wings
Thursday 7:00 pm @ Barclays Center against the New York Islanders
Friday 7:00 pm @ PNC Arena against the Colorado Avalanche
The Hurricanes are probably very tired of having to play the Red Wings, but they have to for the third time in three weeks on Tuesday. Winner takes the season series. Thursday brings the New York Islanders and the Hurricanes first ever visit to Barclays Center. Finally, the week closes with the ‘Canes returning to Raleigh. Still looking for their first home victory, they’re going to face a Colorado team that will want for revenge after losing in overtime this past Wednesday.