3 takeaways as Canes fall in return home against Ottawa

It’s the third straight game the Canes have lost in regulation, as they are topped 3-2 by the Ottawa Senators as their offense could not get the puck into the net against Ottawa. As they amassed 49 shots, they could only manage two goals as they ship three to suffer yet another loss. But this one will be infuriating as there’s not much more the team could have done.

If the Carolina Hurricanes want to be a Stanley Cup contender in this league, then they need to figure out a way to get pucks into the net. Their recent scoring record is awful and it’s not good enough for a team that started 9-0 and looked like the team that was going to stomp their way to the Stanley Cup when the season started. Now, this looks like a Canes team from 2016.

In terms of panic, it’s not time to start worrying just yet. The Canes have a six-point cushion to the Pittsburgh Penguins within the division and the team doesn’t have to worry about being pushed out of the playoff spots with that kind of lead on an opponent. However, this doesn’t mean the team can slouch and relax. They will not make the playoffs if they try to take it easy between now and the end of the season.

It’s vital for the team to get back to putting pucks in the net and winning games, or else there’s a very real chance that the Carolina Hurricanes will not make the playoffs and waste one of the best starts they have ever made. This roster is too talented to do that, so something needs to change. As for now, let’s talk about what actually happened in this game as the Canes lost 3-2 to Ottawa.

A century of goals for Teuvo Teravainen

He’d been sitting on 99 for a long time, but eventually, that total ticked over. Teuvo Teravainen has finally hit the 100 goal mark for his career. It was a nice powerplay tally to get the Canes on the board in a game they had dominated and were losing 2-0. He really did help the Canes at least have optimism in this one, and he deserves credit for this. He really did his part for the Carolina organization.

Teuvo had 8 shots on goal and was just gripping and ripping the puck. He had forced a lot of great saves and diving blocks from the Ottawa Senators, but eventually, he did find his way onto the scoresheet. It was a big play at a big-time for the team, and it helped them get their tails up and force the Senators back into their own zone as the Canes pushed hard to knot this game up at 2.

When we talk about players that have been big parts of this organization for a long time, we will often find ourselves talking about the captain and the defenders. Someone that always flies under the radar is Teuvo, and he’s starting to show why the Canes pushed so hard to acquire him from the Chicago Blackhawks all those years ago. He’s been a fantastic player for this organization and you can’t ask for more than that.

Here’s to hoping he gets to 200 before too long, and that they all come with the Canes logo on his chest. He’s been a sensational player for the team despite being moved around all the time. Used to generate offense on multiple lines, Teuvo is so important for this team and it doesn’t get talked about nearly as much as it should. His importance at even-strength, shorthanded, and on the powerplay cannot be overstated.

Winning the special teams battle

Carolina managed to do something that I thought was impossible in this game. They spent less time in the penalty box than their opponent and it was a shocking achievement. Carolina was 1/4 on the powerplay and killed off all three penalties they were called for. We know the powerplay has been struggling, but the penalty kill has had enough time on the ice together to get the basic idea of what they need to do.

If Carolina played every game 4-vs-5, they might actually score more than they do at even-strength. Their penalty kill is always so aggressive and the turnovers it creates are dangerous. They haven’t managed to nab a short-handed goal yet this season, but that doesn’t mean that the team isn’t trying. They’ve come really close on several occasions just to be denied by great goaltenders. Shocking, I know.

When it comes to the Canes powerplay, they tallied in this game, but it was their first in 20 attempts. They need to figure out a way to get the powerplay rolling again because when you can score on the man advantage, it takes the heat off your ability to score at 5v5. With Carolina’s scoring issues that I may or may not have touched on earlier, they need all the help they can get.

When the two right-shot defensemen who are currently out finally return to the lineup, both units will get better. But as for the minute, they’re both looking good. You’d like more of an end result from the Canes powerplay, but that will come with time. They tallied in this one as I mentioned, so you just have to hope that the momentum carries over into the next game with the Sabres.