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Carolina Hurricanes Game Day Thoughts: On the Road Again

By Matthew Barlowe

Jan 31, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goalie Steve Mason (35) stops the shot by Carolina Hurricanes forward Elias Lindholm (16) at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 5-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goalie Steve Mason (35) stops the shot by Carolina Hurricanes forward Elias Lindholm (16) at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 5-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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After two games in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes head up I-95 to take on the Philadelphia Flyers

These late season wins after all but eliminated from the playoffs are rough on Carolina Hurricanes fans.  On the one hand, nobody wants to watch their team get dominated.  On the other each win makes a top five draft pick ever more elusive.  At least there is no guaranteed franchise player this draft for the Hurricanes to miss out on.

Starting this week I was wholeheartedly on team tank and wanted to see Cam Ward start every game to achieve that goal.  That was until Eddie Lack stole my heart with his recent performances and now I can’t help but cheer for Hurricanes wins.  So screw draft 2017!

Let’s bork bork our way to a strong showing down the stretch that starts with this away game against the Philadelphia Flyers.  The Flyers lost to the lowly New Jersey Devils on Thursday 6-2 yet blanked the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-0 the game before.  So there’s no telling which team will show up against the Hurricanes tonight.

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Game Day Thoughts

  • If Eddie Lack doesn’t get the start tonight then I don’t know what is going on with the Hurricanes.  Ward was awful in both games against the Islanders, while Lack has posted a .944 save percentage in his last four starts.  He’s made the saves you asked for Bill Peters now it’s time for you to follow through on your part of the deal
  • I don’t know about you guys but the Hurricanes bottom-six, and fourth line especially, has looked much better.  Especially in the last two games.  Which strangely coincides with Jay McClement’s absence due to injury.  Who knew that replacing the team’s worst player with absolutely anybody would improve the team so quickly?  And don’t give me any crap about his penalty killing skills either.  If you can’t hack it for 95% of the game you don’t deserve to be on the ice.
  • Phil Di Guiseppe and Brock McGinn returned to the ice last night against the Nashville Predators.  Di Guiseppe had a great chance against Jusse Saros last night, but couldn’t bury it.  Personally, I’d prefer Wallmark up and Brown back at wing with McGinn on the bench. The fact they sent Wallmark down so quickly hopefully means Zykov is close to returning to the lineup.
  • Many thought that putting Jeff Skinner on the line with Derek Ryan and Lee Stempniak was less than optimal.  Skinner, like the honey badger, DGAF who he plays with, though.  His two goals included the game-winner and upped his goal total to 25.  Skinner is on pace for 31 goals this season his highest total since 2014.

Next: Top 5 Forward Free Agents

  • It looks like Steve Mason will be the starter for the Flyers against Carolina.  Like the Hurricanes, the Flyers have had their fair share of goalie issues this year. In fact, they are tied with the Hurricanes with a team save percentage of .902.
  • The Flyers have talent there’s no denying that.  Still, the Hurricanes are playing some great hockey right now.  Let’s see if Carolina can channel the spirit from the last game against the Flyers where they won 5-1.  Steve Mason also started that game as well so there is a good chance they could.
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