Cardiac Cane
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Svechnikov Drought A Concern For Canes

By Glenn Brewer

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 15: Philipp Grubauer #31 of the Seattle Kraken stops a shot by Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period of their game at PNC Arena on December 15, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 15: Philipp Grubauer #31 of the Seattle Kraken stops a shot by Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period of their game at PNC Arena on December 15, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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The lone All-Star player for the Carolina Hurricanes continues a concerning streak as he has not recorded a goal in 2023.

The Canes head to our nation’s capital tomorrow to play their second game since the All-Star break.

The Valentine’s Day contest will mark just about a month and a half of not lighting the lamp for Svechnikov, who currently sits with 19 goals. The same number to start the 2023 calendar year.

Winning Games Despite Goal Drought

The question that concerns most Caniacs is can this team win long-term if Svechnikov continues to be unable to put one past the opposition goaltender.

Despite not scoring goals, Svechnikov has been able to put points up as he has 6 assists in the last five games.

With scoring being top heavy on this team, Svechnikov will need to score to keep up with the better teams. Losing Max Pacioretty puts an emphasis on the previous statement.

The Hurricanes have been able to win games as a good team does by playing solid team hockey on both ends of the ice. This is what Rod Brind’Amour demands and it defines this Carolina team.

The Metro Division leaders can win close, low scoring or  high scoring games because of the versatility they have in their depth.

Come the spring, the oppositions will be focusing on the top scorers and defensive matchups will be the focus. This is just how playoff hockey works as we have seen.

In year’s past this favored the defensively sound Canes roster but it will be even harder for Svechnikov to get high quality scoring chances.

It is obviously concerning but as long as the team can win, the spotlight will be off of Svechnikov.

Luckily many goal scorers are streaky and this could just mean that the 22 year old is about to go on a heater.

Ultimately, this team can win with or without Svechnikov’s goals but the better the opponent, the harder it will be to advance past a team like the New York Rangers, who can score at will.

The longer this drought goes the more pressure Don Waddell will have to acquire a sniper at the trade deadline.

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