Carolina Hurricanes Graze Bottom of NHL, but Rebounded this Week
Every week, Cardiac Cane will make a complete wrap-up of the Carolina Hurricane’s week for the 2015-2016 season.
Preseason 11/30-12/6
Summary:
If this week in the Carolina Hurricanes season had a word to describe it, that word would probably be ‘inconsistent’. That word comes with negative connotations, and there certainly were negative moments this week, but this week was more than that. By the weekend, Caniac Nation was foreseeing a doomed season. There was plenty of evidence to support it as the team was dead last in the NHL on Friday. Yet, out of ashes of an early regular season death, the team showed there is still some fight left in this squad. If nothing else, our belief that the Hurricanes are consistently inconsistent were realized this week. Here’s how it played out.
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Way back on Monday, the team face-offed with the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Having not won at MSG since the beginning of the decade, the ‘Canes were up against it. They didn’t do themselves any favors, going down 2-0 at the end of the 1st, conceding two powerplay goals. Jordan Staal rallied back in the 2nd. Then Cam Ward forgot how to play goalie. He gave up his first of many soft goals this week to Chris Kreider and then passed the puck directly to Kevin Hayes who dished to Derick Brassard for goal number 4. Even though Victor Rask and Chris Terry added two more goals, both of which were nice plays on the rush, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Rangers.
The boys came home on Thursday to play the New Jersey Devils. Bill Peters must have forgot to tell everyone except Brad Malone there was a game that day. Malone was the only Hurricane to register a goal and showed the most effort all night, dropping the gloves in the 2nd period with Jordin Tootoo. Eddie Lack was peppered and gave up 5 goals, some of which he might want to have back. Still, the team in front of him looked pathetic and very deserving of last place in the NHL, the position they found themselves the next day.
The front office made some major personnel changes the next day. Phil Di Giuseppe, Brock McGinn, and Jaccob Slavin were recalled from Charlotte and Kris Versteeg was sidelined for the game on Saturday.
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Puck Prose
Everything looked horrible going into Saturday’s game against one of the best teams in hockey, the Montreal Canadiens. Amazingly, everything clicked against the Habs. In the first, Jeff Skinner scored on the powerplay with some filthy hands in front of the net after Daniel Carr scored his first NHL goal for Montreal. The second period was back and forth, with both teams adding another goal, with Carolina’s from Joakim Nordstrom. It was 2-2 going into the 3rd and about mid-way through the period the ‘Canes were awarded a powerplay. On the man advantage, youngster Brett Pesce fired a puck on net and Skinner swatted in the rebound for the winning goal.
It was quick rest for Carolina since their next game was at 5pm the next day against the upstart Arizona Coyotes. The Hurricanes did a nice job limiting Oliver Ekman Larsson, Max Domi, and Anthony Duclair, but still conceded 4 goals on only 23 shots. Cam Ward gave up another two soft goals, notably the first goal and the third goal. However, the ‘Canes managed 5 goals on Sunday. First was Versteeg, who was back in the lineup, followed by a tenacious goal from Jay McClement. Elias Lindholm forced a turnover at the offensive blueline and dished to Eric Staal for goal three. Ron Hainsey tied the game late in the 3rd and Justin Faulk saved the day with his 9th powerplay goal of the year to win with only 17 seconds left.
Somehow, the Carolina Hurricanes managed to end the week at 2 wins and 2 losses. This wild week had extreme lows, but as the new week approaches, there is some optimism. Even with the successful weekend, the issue of goaltending must be addressed. Ward looks uncomfortable with even the simplest of chances. Look for Eddie Lack to rotate into net much more frequently going forward.
Cane of the Week:
Jay McClement – 4GP, 1G, 1A, +0
For the entire week, the 4th line of McClement, Brad Malone, and Chris Terry was very solid for the Carolina Hurricanes. Since I can’t pick three, I have selected McClement. The former Maple Leaf scored his first goal of the season against Arizona. His goal was a prime example of the effort he has shown the entire week. He beat the icing, retrieved the puck, shot on goal, and then slapped in his own rebound.
McClement’s game isn’t pretty and he won’t contribute much offensively, but he embodies what coach Bill Peters wants the entire lineup to play like. In a week that saw the fan base question the entire lineup, McClement came prepared every game, even when his teammates didn’t.
Next: Carolina Hurricanes Win A Barn Burner Against Arizona
The Forecast:
Tuesday 8:30 pm @ American Airlines Center against the Dallas Stars
Friday 10:00 pm @ Honda Center against the Anaheim Ducks
Saturday 9:00 pm @ Jobing.com Arena against the Arizona Coyotes
Carolina will look to keep the momentum going into a 4 game road trip. Starting in Dallas, the Hurricanes are to do battle with Tyler Seguin and the Stars. The Stars have been an offensive juggernaut, so hopefully the ‘Canes defense holds up.
Next, it’s a journey to Southern California and the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks have been disappointing, so they will be hungry for points. Finally, the week wraps up with a rematch with the Coyotes. Let’s go Hurricanes!