Carolina Hurricanes: Assessing the chances in the Metropolitan Division

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RALEIGH, NC – FEBRUARY 9: Brett Pesce #22 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates with teammates Jaccob Slavin #74 and Sebastian Aho #20 after scoring a goal during an NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks on February 9, 2018 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

How is the offense playing?

The last two contests saw the Canes post seven goals combined. Now, if that was just the level of production seen from Carolina consistently over the course of the February schedule. Carolina managed just five goals through the first four games of the month.

Of those first four games of the month, three were losses. It took a Ward shutout for the Canes to even get a win in those contests. The key to victory seems pretty clear for head coach Bill Peters now. Spark the offense, and the wins will follow.

Another thing that helped the Canes’ offense out of late is a few key players returning from injury. Mainly, since Sebastian Aho returned from his concussion suffered in January he’s caught fire. Aho has five points in his last five games, including three in the past two victories.

Derek Ryan is also contributing significantly since his return from injury. He’s gone under the radar with his 11 goals and 26 points on the year. Most of this offense is going to fall on Aho, Teuvo Teravainen, and Jeff Skinner down the stretch.

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