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

1. Continue Possession

By far, possession was not the problem two nights ago against the New York Rangers. When you have the puck, you control the game. If the Hurricanes can continue that possession, they will have better chances of winning.

The Andrei Svechnikov, Sebastian Aho, and Warren Foegele line has shown promise in their forecheck. Svechnikov has looked good, but hasn’t registered a point for two games. Aho scored one of two goals in the game against the Rangers.

The line held an offensive-zone siege multiple times two nights ago that continued to break the Rangers defense, but ultimately not Lundqvist. If they can repeat that possession, they could find better luck against Craig Anderson or Anders Nilsson.

Aside from Lundqvist playing lights out last night, if possession works, why couldn’t the Hurricanes win last night? Which.. brings us to the next key of the game.

2. Net-Front Presence

Yes. Take out the goalie’s eyes, and no, not gouge Anderson or Nilsson’s eyes out, but block his view. Lundqvist had a confident night against the Hurricanes, because he could see almost all near 50 shots he got. Every save he made, he became even stronger.

Although a high quantity of shots on goal can be great, feeding weak shots to a goalie can make that goalie want to make the highlight reel of the night all about them. Do not allow Nilsson or Anderson to get that fame.

Erik Haula gets to the front of the net, like no other Hurricane has on this team in a long while. With him being out with an injury, it’s evident that the net-front presence is not the same as when he was here. The powerplay lines had to be mixed up and the roles have to change.

Haula’s injury is a big hit to this team’s powerplay and even-strength net-front. The only imaginable players who can fill this role is Nino Niederreiter and Jordan Staal, who must play this role better.

Staying in one spot and barely adjusting is lazy and allowing defenders to easily cover you. Players who get dirty in front of the goalie must move around, be unpredictable, and make any puck that gets to the slot a nightmare.

3. Losing Streak Motivation

A team losing three games in a row is never pretty. Two of those three games being close enough, one of which that should’ve been a confirmed win.

The New York Islanders just only recently got their 10-game win streak broken, by the Pittsburgh Penguins who now have also surpassed the Hurricanes in the Metropolitan Division, the Washington Capitals continues to be the best in the division. No matter if the Hurricanes want to keep up or not, the league keeps moving.

The Hurricanes simply need to outwork and outperform the Senators. They have a much stronger team, when it comes to star skill and better depth on all four lines.

Simple tweaks to small things like net-front presence and winning puck battles to continue possession, with a nitty-gritty desperation playstyle will do wonders for the Hurricanes.

Being better conditioned under Rod Brind’Amour, they need to use that endurance to their advantage. Brind’Amour has said after the game with the New York Rangers that the game was played well, but the results weren’t good.

Expect a good game from Eetu Luostarinen, who looked good against the Rangers and will seek to impress to attempt to stay with the group from Raleigh. Hard work is rewarded with more ice time, he should be able to earn that respect early in the game.

Game Notes

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Potential Goalie Matchup

Carolina Hurricanes:

Petr Mraz

Both the Senators and Hurricanes will play a desperate game to fight for their spot in the standings, it should be a high-scoring game and a prediction will see a close win for the Hurricanes.

Question for Cardiac Cane Readers: Will the Hurricanes finally break their losing streak tonight?