Cardiac Cane
Fansided

Carolina Hurricanes: 3 ways to continue momentum from win over Pens

By Andrew Miller

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 04: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the third period during the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on January 4, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 04: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the third period during the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on January 4, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 04: Justin Faulk #27 of the Carolina Hurricanes handles the puck against Phil Kessel #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on January 4, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 04: Justin Faulk #27 of the Carolina Hurricanes handles the puck against Phil Kessel #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on January 4, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) /

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.

Home/Analysis