Carolina Hurricanes Finish a Roller-Coaster Week Outside the Playoffs (Video)
This week the Carolina Hurricanes broke their own record for overtime losses, celebrated Eric Staal’s return by beating him, and barely showed up for the last game of the week.
Weekly Summary
The Carolina Hurricanes rolled into April in a position that no one at the start of the season believed they could be, still playing for a playoff spot. They had three games, one away and two at home, to take care of their business and hope other teams helped a little. Here’s how it went.
In Brooklyn on Tuesday Carolina faced their first must-win game of the week against an Islanders team also looking for two points after slipping in the Eastern Conference standings. Both teams played a conservative game, most likely trying to avoid the big mistake that leads to the big loss.
Goaltenders Cam Ward and Thomas Greiss were tested but held firm for the majority of the game. Carolina struck first when Derek Ryan cruised in the offensive zone and sniped the puck on the short side of Greiss. New York answered on the powerplay in the third period when Anders Lee tipped a point shot past Ward.
Related Story: Hurricanes setting records...in overtime
Much like the certainty of death and taxes, Carolina played the Isles to overtime. The extra five minutes of 3 on 3 hockey yielded no goals and it was off to the shootout. The Islanders scored the only goal in the shootout and took the extra point. It was yet another overtime loss for Carolina, but at least they set a new record for overtime losses, breaking their previous mark.
The other New York team was next on Friday at PNC Arena. The Rangers had won the ten previous match ups and needed this game to clinch a postseason berth. There was another thread to this game as well as Eric Staal made his first return to Raleigh since being traded to the Blueshirts at the trade deadline.
In terms of getting a bang for your buck this game had just about everything you could ask for. There was drama, lead changes, a third period comeback and a quality PNC Arena atmosphere. During the first television timeout the Hurricanes paid tribute to their former captain with a nice video package and a standing ovation. Take a few minutes and watch the video,
courtesy of the Carolina Hurricanes
.
The game was one of the best of the season for the Canes as well. Just before the tribute, Eric Staal had a great chance in the slot but was robbed by his friend Cam Ward. Besides that Staal chance the Canes dominated period one and went into the intermission with a 1-0 lead.
scored his first career goal off a brilliant
dump into the zone which he aimed into the corner purposely to set up Brown. Just watch the video.
The second period was all Rangers however, with Mats Zuccarello scoring, followed by a beauty from Rick Nash. Justin Faulk tied it at two with a wrist shot, but a nasty snipe by a speedy Chris Kreider gave the Blueshirts a second intermission lead.
In the third period the Hurricanes battled hard and did something they haven’t done in a long time. They found a way to beat the Rangers. Skinner scored with a redirect out in front to tie it and Victor Rask scored the game winner after Justin Faulk saved a puck at the blue line and rifled a shot on net and Rask cashed in the rebound. The Hurricanes won 4-3.
More hurricanes: Hurricanes are scoring in the community too.
Despite the fantastic result on Thursday, Carolina failed to maintain the momentum at home on Saturday. Skinner scored in the first period with what can only be described as vintage Jeff Skinner tenacity and skill. However, besides that moment of excellence, the game was plague by defensive breakdowns and weak offense from the Hurricanes. Led by a Brandon Saad hat trick the Jackets left Raleigh with a 5-1 win that eliminated Carolina from playoff contention.
The Carolina Hurricanes won’t be playing in the playoffs again and that is frustrating for Caniac Nation. Even though that reality is familiar for Canes fans, the reaction to this season has not been one of anger and disappointment but rather bright optimism.
The Hurricanes were playing very good hockey, winning key games down the stretch, and in playoff contention in April, something that hasn’t happened since 2010-11. By all accounts, this season was a very big success for the Carolina Hurricanes and the franchise’s future.
Cane of the Week
Jeff Skinner – 3 Games, 2 Goals, 1 Assist
At the moment the Carolina Hurricanes are without a captain. Jordan Staal and Faulk are the recognized leaders by being the two alternate captains, but they haven’t displayed as much leadership of late. Instead the load is being carried by non other than wizened old veteran, at least on this team, Jeff Skinner.
Since Eric Staal’s departure he has tallied 15 points in 16 games, which is best on the team over that stretch. Skinner has also exhibited some good two way play. He is on track to finish with positive ratio (+2) for the first time since his rookie season. He’s also been leading with his play, as evidenced by the assist on Brown’s goal above and this one from the loss against Columbus on Saturday. Watch his footwork!
Skinner and Eric Staal sat next to each other in the locker room for nearly six seasons. Staal is the only captain Skinner has ever known in the NHL, and it has clearly rubbed off on the former rookie of the year. Now that Staal is gone Skinner is now the longest tenured Carolina Hurricane forward in the locker room (that’s weird to say) and is looked to as leader. It is really impressive to see Skinner step out of Staal’s shadow and assert his potential claim to being the face of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Next: Five Reasons the Hurricanes Have Hope Next Season
The Forecast
Tuesday 7:00 pm @ TD Garden against the Boston Bruins
Thursday 7:00 pm @ PNC Arena against the Montreal Canadeins
Saturday 7:00 pm @ BB&T Center against the Florida Panthers
Alas, another Canes season is coming to a close. It has been a crazy ride this year but there is still some hockey to be played. These last three games will be important for the young Hurricanes to prove to Coach Peters and the front office what they have. First the Canes visit Boston, where last time rookie Noah Hanifin had himself quite a night in his hometown. Thursday is the Canes last home game of the season as they face the visiting Montreal Canadiens. Our season concludes against the playoff-bound Florida Panthers and the ageless Jaromir Jagr.