Carolina Hurricanes Remain in the Playoff Hunt Despite Up and Down Week

Every week, Cardiac Cane will make a complete wrap-up of the Carolina Hurricanes’ week for the 2015-2016 season.

Regular Season 1/11-1/17

Summary:

A couple days late, but still here; it’s time for another weekly wrap-up for the Carolina Hurricanes. The week started very strong, seeing the Hurricanes vault into a wild card spot. Yes, that really happened. However, a sour tasting thrashing at the hands of the Penguins on Sunday tempered the excitement. Here’s how it all played out.

This past week’s games began and started with the Penguins. In the first go around, the Hurricanes outplayed their divisional rivals and got good fortune because of it. In what was probably Eric Staal’s best game of the year, the ‘Canes top line scored all three goals for the road team. Staal, Elias Lindholm, and Kris Versteeg dominated Sidney Crosby’s line. Staal scored the first followed by a ridiculous pinball goal from Versteeg. The game went 2-2 into overtime. Jeff Skinner won the game for the ‘Canes with a powerplay overtime goal.

Lindholm didn’t receive a star of the game but deserved one. The Swede had 3 assists and was very physical on the forecheck. This was the only game this week Lindholm showed this level of play. He continues to tease his potential, then follow it up with an unimpressive stretch.

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Game two of the week might have been the best game of the season for Carolina. The Hurricanes went into St. Louis and beat the Blues 4-1. Carolina struck first with a Skinner goal. Early in the 3^rd, Brett Pesce blasted in a powerplay goal. Four minutes later Brock McGinn scored his 3^rd goal of the season. Skinner stripped a Blue of the puck, deked and fed the rookie. The Blues managed a goal, but another ‘Canes talley from Riley Nash was plenty to sink St. Louis. In every facet of the game, Carolina was in control. On this night the team not only looked playoff caliber, but maybe even better.

Things began to drop off in the next contest against Vancouver. The ‘Canes squeaked out a point in the overtime loss, but the level of play was not as high as it was in St. Louis. Down 1-0 in the 1^st, Kris Versteeg scored on the powerplay with a rocket from the wing. In the 2^nd, Bo Horvat scored his 3^rd goal against Carolina this season after he sniped it past goalie Cam Ward glove high. The point was saved when John-Michael Liles threw it into the slot with 2 minutes left. The puck hit a Canuck stick and went in. Considering the ‘Canes put up 40 shots, it was probably deserved. Horvat must like playing Carolina, because he scored once in again in overtime to win it.

The most important news from the game against Vancouver was the return of Nathan Gerbe. He had been out with an injury for months. His return has forced coach Bill Peters to juggle lines that have been clicking. Also, Gerbe’s return made the ‘Canes return Brock McGinn to Charlotte.

The final game this week was not fun for Caniac Nation. Away in Pittsburgh, the Hurricanes never were in control. What was particularly interesting was the way the ‘Canes lost. Being one of the best possession hockey teams in the NHL, Carolina looked awful coming through the neutral zone. Even when the managed to get into the Penguins’ zone, they never managed to sustain pressure. Goaltender Eddie Lack never seemed to get a break. When the ‘Canes needed the powerplay to give them a boost, it couldn’t. Versteeg hit the post on one occasion, but it was never going to be enough. The Pens won 5-0. Hopefully this game is an anomaly and not a sign of what’s to come.

Cane of the Week:

Ron Hainsey – 4GP, 1A, -1

It was difficult selecting a standout this week. No player was truly on top of their game for every contest. In the end, Hainsey seems like a good choice. The 34 year old has been vital part of the Hurricanes blue line this season. His guidance to Justin Faulk the last two seasons has been evident. That same leadership also seems to be rubbing off on guys like Pesce, Hanifin, and Jaccob Slavin.

Hainsey’s value can be summed up by his two major contributions this week. His only point of the week came in the game against St. Louis. He collected the puck in his own end. Noticing Riley Nash making streaking through the neutral, Hainsey smartly drew the defender towards him only to make a brilliant saucer pass to Nash in stride. Nash then buried the chance. Then, in the game on Sunday, Hainsey was the Hurricanes best player. At 2-0, Hainsey looked like he was a goaltender making block after block. He kept the game closer than it really was. With a high desperation level, “The Ronster” makes sacrifices for his team and does so without getting much glory. This week was a perfect example of that. There is no better role model on the Carolina Hurricanes.

Honorable Mentions: Jeff Skinner, Andrej Nestrasil, Kris Versteeg

Next: Phil Di Giuseppe Back Up With Hurricanes

The Forecast:

Thursday 7:30 pm @ Air Canada Center against the Toronto Maple Leafs

Friday 7:00 pm @ PNC Arena against the New York Rangers

Sunday 6:00 pm @ PNC Arena against the Calgary Flames

A three day break should give the ‘Canes enough time to recuperate after getting walloped in Pittsburgh. Once the layoff ends, the squad have three very winnable games. First, Carolina pays a visit to Toronto. The rebuilding Leafs have changed to a more structure team under new coach Mike Babcock, so don’t expect a lot of goals in this one. Then is back to Raleigh for two games in three days. It’s the Rangers on Friday, at team looking to recapture their early season dominance, then the Flames on Sunday, who without Johnny Gaudreau might be last in the league.

Every week, Cardiac Cane will make a complete wrap-up of the Carolina Hurricanes’ week for the 2015-2016 season.

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Schedule