Carolina Hurricanes: Takeaways from Big Home Win vs. Nashville

The Carolina Hurricanes extended their winning streak to 7 games last night after a huge 5-1 victory over the Nashville Predators at home. The Canes ascend to the 1st place spot in the Discover Central Division, and their record improves to 19-6-1, the best record through 26 games in franchise history.

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The Nashville Predators fall to 6th place in the Discover Central Division, and their record falls to 11-15-1.

Last night’s game was an impressive performance all around for the Carolina Hurricanes. Steven Lorentz and Morgan Geekie were standouts; Geekie specifically was granted First Star of the Game last night, and for good reason. His two goals were instrumental in the absence of Vincent Trocheck and Teuvo Teravainen. Both of these younger guys looked right at home on NHL ice, and I’m beyond excited to see what they can do for the remainder of the season.

Jake Bean was another standout, who earned the honor of Third Star of the Game. Bean has been absolutely fantastic in Jake Gardiner‘s absence, and should be a mainstay in the lineup going forward. Whether or not he will be is another story in and of itself.

James Reimer also had a very solid game, but couldn’t quite secure the shutout in the 3rd period after Nick Cousins batted one in past him.

Nonetheless, last night’s matchup was one of the most complete efforts we’ve seen from the Carolina Hurricanes this season. To put together a game that solid and successful without key contributors like Trocheck and Teravainen is incredible and speaks volumes to just how deep the Canes really are.

If the Carolina Hurricanes can keep stringing games like this together despite missing top-tier talent at just about every position, there is no ceiling to how far they can go this season. It’s a bit too early to make calls like this if you ask me, but it’s really beginning to look like this might be the season. If you don’t believe in this team at this point, I’m not sure what else to tell you.

The Carolina Hurricanes have proven that they are for real, even without key contributors. That in and of itself is an intangible that can’t be coached, and if any team is laden with those, it is 100% the team coached by the man who made a Hall of Fame career off of those intangibles.