Carolina Hurricanes: What went wrong this season?
![RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 17: Carolina Hurricanes players unite after scoring a goal in the first period during the game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Carolina Hurricanes on March 17, 2018, at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 17: Carolina Hurricanes players unite after scoring a goal in the first period during the game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Carolina Hurricanes on March 17, 2018, at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/edc612c4547f6bfa649c628d297b74373dfb7bcdecd9e0d11c4816dad9b8919e.jpg)
Losses when it mattered most
Stating that the Canes have choked down the stretch, when they were in good playoff position entering the February slate of games, does not even come close to describing the way the fans feel. The frustration boiled over a long time ago and it’s getting worse now.
Over the past 14 contests, the Canes have only won three. Their most recent loss, coming on March 17 against the Philadelphia Flyers, was yet another home loss at PNC Arena where the Canes blew a lead in the third period.
The embarrassing home collapse against the Bruins was just a microcosm of what the Canes showed on the ice over the past two months. Some stretches of time passed where the Canes showed an added jump in their step with nothing ever lasting beyond two or three games in a row.
Only a few days could remain before the Canes are officially eliminated from the playoffs for the ninth season in a row, still the longest active streak in the league. This is a vastly different trend for the Canes than the last few years, where they collapsed in the final weeks instead of getting red hot and just falling short.