Carolina Hurricanes: 3 ways to continue momentum from win over Pens
Needing some points to keep a hold on the last wildcard spot in the conference, the Carolina Hurricanes could use a Jan. 6 win over the Boston Bruins.
The Carolina Hurricanes notched the biggest win of the 2017-18 campaign, so far, by shutting out the Pittsburgh Penguins on Jan. 4. That win moved the Canes above the Pens in the Eastern Conference wildcard race, for the playoffs, putting them one point ahead. Yet, there’s still a ton of work left to be done.
Pittsburgh should put it all together at some point. NHL fans can see how the Washington Capitals caught fire in the middle of the season, behind the pace of Alex Ovechkin. Moreover, the Metropolitan Division is extremely competitive, with many of the same teams at the top from last season.
Not only are the Caps still at the top, the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers still look to seal up playoff berths as well. Right now, the Canes have 46 points. That puts them in the final wildcard spot in the East. Yet, the Pens, New York Islanders, and Philadelphia Flyers are all hot on Carolina’s trail.
Only nine points separates the top team from the bottom in the Metro. Meanwhile, the Atlantic Division has a much greater spread, of more than 30 points, between the top team (Tampa Bay Lightning) and the bottom team (Buffalo Sabres).
The Canes have a chance to increase security on the hold on a playoff spot in the East, on Jan. 6. With a win over the Boston Bruins, on Jan. 6, the Canes could move within one point of the Jackets in the Metro standings. Building the confidence gained from the 4-0 win over the Pens, on Jan. 4, is key.
Here’s 3 ways for the Carolina Hurricanes to continue the momentum from the win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
3. Keep the top forward line going
The top forward line for head coach Bill Peters put together a tremendous outing in the win over Pittsburgh. Sebastian Aho notched two tallies to help seal the win. Teuvo Teravainen also found Aho for one of the best goals of the season for the team so far.
Some tic-tac-Teravainen happening over here. 👀 https://t.co/1OPdnM4XQ2
— NHL (@NHL) January 5, 2018
Outside of the two goals and one assist from Aho, the other two players on the first forward line put up a combined three points. Jordan Staal notched one assist, and Teravainen had one goal and one assist.
Carolina needs this top line to stick together and provide the top source of offense the rest of the way. When Aho and Teravainen are at their best, its one of the best duos of two young forwards present in the league.
With 33 points in 40 games, Aho leads the team in points, and Tervainen is not far behind at all. Teravainen has just one point less than Aho. Although, Staal does have some catching up to do. This line is dangerous and needs to keep it up for the Canes against the Bruins.
2. Cam Ward getting another shutout
It took a while for the Canes to get the first shutout of the season, 40 games in fact. Yet, it was not the high-profile off-season acquisition from the Chicago Blackhawks, Scott Darling, that accomplished the feat, but the supposed backup.
Cam Ward stopped all 21 shots the Pens threw his way in the 4-0 victory. He’s earned the starting spot for Peters between the pipes and is projected to get the start against the Bruins. Ward’s only slip up in the past few weeks came in the overtime loss to the Caps on Jan. 2.
Having a hot goaltender is something the Canes have rarely got the luxury of possessing since the 2009 run to the Eastern Conference Finals (also with Ward). Of all things that could keep the momentum going for the Canes, keeping a hot goalie is the most important.
However, if Darling gets going anytime soon, the Canes will have a really good problem on their hands. Two goaltenders, that both have a lot of playoff experience, could jolt this team into the top three in the Metro.
1. Blue line stays together as a unit
Inconsistent play from the blue line at the beginning of the season cost the Canes on multiple occasions. It also made it tough for Darling to get comfortable in the starting role, and hopefully it continues to improve from hereon out.
The improved play from Justin Faulk and the breakout season from Noah Hanifin are two of the major reasons for the strength that is the defense right now for Carolina. Faulk is now second among Carolina’s defensemen in points, with 11.
A real positive story for the Canes this season is Hanifin. He leads all Canes defensemen, by far, in points. His 20 points, and seven goals, puts him in the picture for a spot on the Metro All-Star Team next month.
Next: Preview, predictions vs. Bruins on Jan. 6
Jaccob Slavin and Brett Pesce are also playing better as the top defensive pairing. Pesce is also generated more opportunities in the offensive zone, which is helping everyone else around him. All these are positive signs for the team heading into the stretch run of 2017-18.