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Carolina Hurricanes: A loss that stings against the Capitals

By Anthony Galavotti

RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 28: Lucas Wallmark #71 of the Carolina Hurricanes is upended by Matt Niskanen #2 of the Washington Capitals during an NHL game on March 28, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 28: Lucas Wallmark #71 of the Carolina Hurricanes is upended by Matt Niskanen #2 of the Washington Capitals during an NHL game on March 28, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 28: Warren Foegele #13 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates with teammates Justin Williams #14, Justin Faulk #27, Jordan Staal #11 and Brett Pesce #22 after scoring a goal of during an NHL game against the Washington Capitals on March 28, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 28: Warren Foegele #13 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates with teammates Justin Williams #14, Justin Faulk #27, Jordan Staal #11 and Brett Pesce #22 after scoring a goal of during an NHL game against the Washington Capitals on March 28, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Series Lesson

It is not unbeknownst to Caniacs that most of our roster lacks old age and thus playoff experience in the NHL. Well, they got a taste of how hard a playoff series is going to be, barring they get there. The home-and-home schedule resembles as close to a playoff series as the NHL regular season allows for.

Seeing the same team twice in 72 hours , just in different arenas is pretty close. Honestly, it stinks that the Carolina Hurricanes dropped both games in this ‘series’.I get that. But, if there is a bright side, those losses have the potential to teach our young Hurricanes a lesson.

Not gaining a single point out of the two games stings the Carolina Hurricanes greatly. It puts more emphasis on the games to come, sure. But, if you are looking to be optimistic, the good thing is it happened this late in the season; very close to the playoffs.

The Carolina Hurricanes will remember how hard theses two games were against the Caps. They will remember how hard they fought for 50 minutes on March 28th and that 50 minutes wasn’t good enough. They will know that if they don’t bring their ‘A’ game for 60 minutes every night – it is likely they will get beat in playoff hockey.

The cherry on top to this is that it was the Washington Capitals that taught them this lesson. The defending Stanley Cup champs, the leaders in the Metro division, AND the potential first round matchup for the Hurricanes in the playoffs. If any team knows how to win series-like hockey this time of year, it is the Caps.

The Hurricanes now know what sort of intensity and energy it takes when you see a team multiple times in the matter of a few days. To me, if the lesson has been learned and is studied; it is invaluable to this young team, and could pay dividends come playoff time.

The Carolina Hurricanes continue to round out their regular season on Saturday afternoon with another huge game against the Philadelphia Flyers.  This is a big one, folks. Cheer loud if you are able to make it. Go Canes.

Must Read. Cardiac Mail- Postseason edition. light

Question for CC Readers: What do you think was going to be the Storm Surge tonight?

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