Cardiac Cane
Fansided

Carolina Hurricanes: 10 thoughts after first quarter of the season

By Andrew Miller

RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 24: Derek Ryan #7 and Jeff Skinner #53 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate Ryan's goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period of an NHL game on November 24, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 24: Derek Ryan #7 and Jeff Skinner #53 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate Ryan's goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period of an NHL game on November 24, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 11
Next
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 24: Linesman Greg Devosrki #54 separates Justin Williams #14 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Nikita Zaitsev #22 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during their game at PNC Arena on November 24, 2017 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Toronto won 5-4. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 24: Linesman Greg Devosrki #54 separates Justin Williams #14 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Nikita Zaitsev #22 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during their game at PNC Arena on November 24, 2017 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Toronto won 5-4. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

3. The team needs more energy

Something that has been missing for the Canes the entire season is the resilience to follow through in the third period. When Carolina won the Stanley Cup in 2006 and made a run to the Finals in 2002, the Canes were at their best in the final period.

It was good to see the Canes put forward such a spirited effort in the third period, with three goals in the loss to the Leafs. However, the problem of getting too far behind and not having enough energy through the second period caused that defeat.

Peters might not have the energy needed to get this team playing for him. We’ll see how the Canes respond to these two straight costly losses moving forward. Yet, Peters is not the type of head coach to wear his emotions on his sleeve.

Anything needs to give for this Canes team to start playing with a more spirited effort on a game-by-game basis. Fix that, and the Canes instantly become a contender in the Metro and make the playoffs in 2018.

Home/Analysis