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Carolina Hurricanes: 5 takeaways from loss to Blue Jackets

By Andrew Miller

RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 10: Derek Ryan #7 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Alexander Wennberg #10 of the Columbus Blue Jackets struggle for possession of the puck during an NHL game on October 10, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 10: Derek Ryan #7 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Alexander Wennberg #10 of the Columbus Blue Jackets struggle for possession of the puck during an NHL game on October 10, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – OCTOBER 07: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Jeff Skinner (53) skates in a timeout during a game between the Minnesota Wild and the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC on October 7, 2017. Carolina defeated Minnesota 5 – 4 in a shootout. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – OCTOBER 07: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Jeff Skinner (53) skates in a timeout during a game between the Minnesota Wild and the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC on October 7, 2017. Carolina defeated Minnesota 5 – 4 in a shootout. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Jeff Skinner still comes through in the clutch

The only Canes goal came from the heart and soul of this team in Jeff Skinner. He’s the only playing still wearing the “A” on his jersey after Jordan Staal and Justin Faulk were named co-captains.

Skinner’s goal came with less than two minutes to go in the third period, and it was unassisted. He found a hole in Bobrovsky to send the game into overtime. It was the second straight time that the Canes scored a goal late in the third period, ultimately sending the game into overtime.

You can see the added versatility that Skinner brings to the Carolina attack with his puck handling ability that the opposition has to respect. One of the keys to the power play working better for the Canes is getting Skinner going on the man-advantage.

In order for Skinner to reach the 40-goal mark this season, he’ll have to continue his hot streak that emerged at the end of the 2016-17 season. He was held off the scoreboard in the first game but came through against the Blue Jackets.

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