Carolina Hurricanes: Three Keys to Success on the Road vs. Blue Jackets
The Carolina Hurricanes take to the road again tonight to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. Here’s what the Canes need to do to walk away with a ‘W’.
The Carolina Hurricanes look to rebound tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets after being shut out 2-0 by the Washington Capitals earlier this week.
This season has been an absolute roller coaster for the Canes so far; scoring comes in droves (even from the 3rd and 4th lines), then completely dries up. The Carolina Hurricanes’ goalies look impenetrable for a solid run of games, then let up a few softies a few days later. The defense will play incredibly stout games in their own end one game, then let players walk in or take a ton of high-quality shots the next.
Consistency is key, especially in the Metropolitan Division, which has shown to be the most competitive division in the NHL. The main problem is that the Carolina Hurricanes have been wildly inconsistent, and have been on arguably the streakiest tear in franchise history.
Tonight, as with every other night at this point in the season, the two points on the table are incredibly important. The Carolina Hurricanes find themselves in the first wildcard playoff spot after 46 games played, and teams like the Philadelphia Flyers and the Columbus Blue Jackets are just chomping at the bit to unseat them.
Here is how the Carolina Hurricanes can begin righting the ship and hopefully start a trend of winning games against Metropolitan Division opponents tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
1. The Return of Bo Time
Okay, this is getting ridiculous. The Carolina Hurricanes’ powerplay has been all but non-existent the past few games, despite getting their fair share of chances.
The Carolina Hurricanes’ powerplay has slipped to being tied with the Vegas Golden Knights for 8th best in the league at 22.1%. 8th best in the league sounds a lot more prestigious than it really is; the Canes have lost more games due to failing to convert on several powerplay opportunities than they’ve won by converting on them.
The Columbus Blue Jackets currently have the 12th best penalty kill in the league, sitting at 81.8%. This is by no means an underachievement, but the Carolina Hurricanes are going to have to start scoring on the man advantage if they want to win games.
Teams are seemingly beginning to take notice of the Canes’ lackadaisical efforts on the powerplay, which usually ends up in teams taking more physical penalties against the Canes – if the Canes aren’t going to respond with their own physicality or on the scoreboard, why not?
2. Stop. Taking. Penalties.
This is, yet again, getting ridiculous.
Penalties have been absolutely eating the Carolina Hurricanes alive. There’s just no way around it.
Regardless of the quality of officiating the Canes receive night in and night out, they just have to stop taking penalties.
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The Canes have the 10th best penalty kill in the league right now, but that (like the powerplay standings) isn’t really saying much.
The Canes have lost more games from letting up powerplay goals than they have won from killing them.
This must sound like a broken record at this point, but trust me. I am right there with you. I shouldn’t have to be writing about the Canes’ taking needless penalties in January 2020, but here I am, and there they are.
3. Superstar Scoring Drought Has to End
Andrei Svechnikov has scored 6 points (3g, 3a) in his last 10 games. In his last 5, he has scored 2 points (1g, 1a). This is wildly out of character for the Russian phenom.
Sebastian Aho has also scored 6 points (2g, 4a) in his last 10 games. In his last 5 games, Aho has scored 0 goals, and 3 assists. 16 days into 2020, and Sebastian Aho is still goalless in this decade.
Teuvo Teravainen has even cooled off lately, posting 7 points (2g, 5a) in his last 10 games, but only 2 points (1g, 1a) in his last 5 games.
I could continue, but you get the gist. The Carolina Hurricanes have been largely dependent on their 3rd and 4th lines to generate a significant portion of the scoring lately, while players that normally carry the team’s scoring efforts have been nearly invisible.
I, personally, think a line shakeup is sorely needed; more than a few players are performing under expectations and it is costing the Carolina Hurricanes in the standings.
Teravainen has been relatively solid, and hasn’t been as streaky as Aho or Svech, but all three of them need to rediscover their game as soon as possible, especially if they hope to prevail against the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight.
Game Notes
- Puck Drop: 7:00pm EST
- Location: Nationwide Arena
- TV: NHL.TV, Fox Sports Carolinas
- Radio: 99.9 The Fan
- Uniform: Road Whites
- Potential Lines:
- Svechnikov – Staal – Foegele
- Niederreiter – Aho – Teravainen
- Dzingel – Haula – Necas
- McGinn – Wallmark – Martinook
- Slavin – Hamilton
- Gardiner – Pesce
- van Riemsdyk – Edmundson
- Potential Goalie Matchup:
- Carolina Hurricanes: Petr Mrazek
- Columbus Blue Jackets: Joonas Korpisalo
2. 113. Prediction. 3. 109
Trending. 5 Bold Predictions for 2020. light