And just like that, the #CanesCoaster has dropped back down with consecutive losses to the Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Worth noting is that the current drop is a mere two-game losing streak, and it did come at the hands of two really good teams that are playing well right now.
In addition, yesterday offered news that Noah Hanifin had been selected to represent the team in the 2018 NHL All-Star Game in Tampa Bay.
Today’s Daily Cup of Joe touches on the All-Star selection and also offers an eclectic mix of polls with many focused on evaluating the Hurricanes relative to the top teams in the league right now.
Carolina Hurricanes polls
Please remember to click ‘vote’ after each poll response.
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Discussion questions
1) What does it take for the Carolina Hurricanes to make the playoffs?
2) What do you make of the current run of hockey against top teams in terms of measuring where the Hurricanes are right now in their effort to become a top 10 NHL team?
3) What are your thoughts on Noah Hanifin representing the team at the 2018 NHL All-Star Game?
Go Canes!
1. Consistent higher end play and better goaltending.
2. It shows we are not top tier, but we can play with them on any given night.
3. Hanifin was one of 4 players I thought were reasonable – the others being Aho, Turbo, and Slavin.
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Regarding the second poll, I am less concerned about 2 consecutive losses than I am about the 4 losses in 5 games. That is not trending right and it violates success over 5-game cycles.
1. To make the playoffs, in order of importance, I think the following needs to happen (which you’ve touched on in the article):
a. The goaltending needs to be much more consistent. And the main ingredient for that is for Scott Darling to somehow find his game (which at this point, I’m questioning if there’s even one to be found). Because Cam can’t do it alone, which I feel is what has been shown in the last three games. Cam just doesn’t have the juice to be a dominant starter, not that he ever really was. So we desperately need Darling to get it together – my hope is that the bye week will give him a chance to do that. Whatever that needs to be…
b. The defense needs to find a higher level of play (like last year) and stay there. This might be the most frustrating, and surprising, aspect of this season so far. When pretty much everyone in the hockey world thought our young defense was going to take a step up, the opposite has happened. And this needs to get fixed, either through coaching, or through the individual players figuring it out for themselves.
c. Although our offense (and power play) seems to have righted the ship over the last few weeks, I still think there’s several notches it needs to ratchet up for us to make the playoffs. A little more contribution from the blue line would sure be nice in this regard, as well as, Skinner to get on an extended hot streak. And Rask? I know it’s there, but man, let’s see it more often.
2. I think the games we’ve had this year against the elite teams has really put a magnifying glass on where we need help, compared to those top tier teams. And we all know by now what that is. We need a stud superstar that can consistently put the puck in the net. And we need at least average, to above average goaltending. Those two things really jump out, when you compare our play to Tampa, Washington, Boston, etc. And running a close third, is our lack of physicality. We just don’t have the size, or the will to compete in a physical way – this is so evident at our continued lack of net-front presence, game after game.
3. At least it wasn’t Faulk… but I think Aho was MUCH more deserving.
Hanifin being selected to the ASG wasn’t predicted anywhere that I could see. Given the criteria has nothing to do with being a star in the league, he belongs there as much as anyone on the squad. What I like is his being showcased for the league. Becoming A1 prime trade material would be ideal for the teams long term benefit. At some point RF has to trade value from defense to receive value on offense. It’s gotta be one of our young studs, might as well be Noah.