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Carolina Hurricanes: 3 Keys to Break Losing Streak vs. Senators

By Tony Trotmann

OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 12: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Nino Niederreiter (21) sets up between Ottawa Senators Goalie Anders Nilsson (31) and Ottawa Senators Defenceman Maxime Lajoie (58) during third period National Hockey League action between the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators on February 12, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 12: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Nino Niederreiter (21) sets up between Ottawa Senators Goalie Anders Nilsson (31) and Ottawa Senators Defenceman Maxime Lajoie (58) during third period National Hockey League action between the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators on February 12, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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OTTAWA, ON – FEBRUARY 12: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Nino Niederreiter (21) sets up between Ottawa Senators Goalie Anders Nilsson (31) and Ottawa Senators Defenceman Maxime Lajoie (58) during third period National Hockey League action between the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators on February 12, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON – FEBRUARY 12: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Nino Niederreiter (21) sets up between Ottawa Senators Goalie Anders Nilsson (31) and Ottawa Senators Defenceman Maxime Lajoie (58) during third period National Hockey League action between the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators on February 12, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Carolina Hurricanes have lost three in a row in regulation to teams below them in the standings. They now see the Ottawa Senators, who are worse than their last three opponents.

The Ottawa Senators host the Hurricanes tonight and they need to turn their ship around, if they want to get into contention with the big boys of the Eastern Conference. They sit second to last in the Atlantic Division, with 11 points, compared to teams in the 20s like the Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs.

They hoisted a victory over the Los Angeles Kings two nights ago in overtime, with an overtime goal from Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who has been hot as of late. Pageau has a goal in his last three games, leads the Senators in goals with 7 and plus-minus with 15. Connor Brown leads in assists at 10 and points at 12, he’s second to Pageau in plus-minus with 4.

The Hurricanes have, for the most part, outplayed two of their last three opponents in games against the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers. The Hurricanes have not went into intermission with a lead since November 1st against the Detroit Red Wings. Untimely goals beat them against New Jersey, Henrik Lundqvist stole the game for New York.

The Hurricanes dominated possession, faceoffs, and shots, yet could not score more than 2 goals and ultimately gave up 4, to lose the game to the Rangers. With that many chances, this game should’ve been a blowout.

Some tweaks to the Hurricanes game could finally see a victory break this long losing streak. Here are your three keys to breaking that losing streak against the Ottawa Senators.

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