With the schedule offering a second try after a disappointing holiday home stand for Thanksgiving week, the Hurricanes started this one off right with a 4-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres.
I caught only the second period which was well-timed with five of the six goals during the period. Having caught only part of the game with the rest waiting on the DVR when I return home, I will be brief with my notes/recap.
If you caught the entirety of the game and have a few minutes to share, I (and I am sure others too) would appreciate others’ perspective in the comments.
Notes from the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres
1) Sebastian Aho starts it
I have been positive on Aho’s play for a couple games now even the tough game on Tuesday, so it was good to see him net a goal.
2) Justin Faulk
His offensive game for the 2017-18 season thus far has been odd. His game has not looked significantly different from last year in the sense that still plays with a shoot first mentality each and every game, has a propensity for joining the rush and think the game well offensively. But the goals and points just had not come, and 34 games is too much to just call it bad luck.
So his two goals on Saturday were a huge contribution in the game at hand, but maybe more significantly could prove to be Faulk’s ignition switch offensively.
3) Cam Ward
It is hard to pass judgement on his game having only seen part of it, but he looked fine in the second period and did not allow any goals in the two periods that I did not see. That sounds like a nice continuation into a transition point as his first (or arguably second) game as the #1.
4) Scott Darling
I said a couple weeks back that I thought the best thing for him could be a run off games off not as punishment or any kind of weird mind games but rather just to reset mentally and start fresh when he next starts a game. I guess that could officially be underway now. Most interesting will be to see if Peters goes back to him in half of the Friday/Saturday back-to-back. Regardless, I think the break could prove to be a positive.
Though I do think it makes sense for the team to ride Ward for a bit while he is playing well, by no means does this mean that Darling will not be a factor. He was a good goalie prior to arriving in Raleigh. He has had good games in Raleigh. It is just a matter of him getting in the right place mentally, starting fresh and finding the higher level of play that is within him.
5) #CanesCoaster swings up
Though it was only four days ago, the loss to the Maple Leafs suddenly feels like it was months ago. In addition, the Hurricanes have now won five of six, and though it is only three games, the Hurricanes are perfect at home in December. The streak has the Hurricanes within two points (adjusted for games played) of both the Islanders and Rangers for the two wild card playoff slots.
Up next is game two of three at home this week against the Canadians on Wednesday night coming out of the Christmas break.
Go Canes!
Good things happened last night.
Getting Faulk back as an offensive catalyst would make the team significantly better. If Faulk did indeed begin his return to form, that per se would make last night’s game huge.
One of the other important things occurred after the game. I watched the entire broadcast, so I saw Peters’ comments. He mentioned that Aho “looked really good” at center. From my perspective he was stating that playing Aho at center (which is on the Christmas wish list for most of us here at C&C) is close to a permanent thing. It likely won’t happen if the winning continues at its current pace. But it sure sounded like that will be the first option the next time the team needs to change things up.
In addition to Faulk, the D was more involved in the attack. The first goal demonstrated that Pesce and Slavin are not only shutdown in the D zone but can be key contributors on the scoresheet.
The PP is looking more like middle of the league than bottom and the PK is showing signs of regaining the form from the past two years.
All in all things are looking up.
One other comment. Ward was also interviewed after the game. When someone mentioned his “best of career” success in the past 8 starts, his first response was to acknowledge his bad outing in the first Toronto loss. A real example of being a leader on this team. Cam has been a favorite target of fan ire for a while now. I would guess in the locker room he is seen as a big positive for the team.
Ward- it seems when he doesn’t have the pressure to be the number 1, he plays better. He struggled as the number 1 outside of 2009. He wasn’t the starter in ‘06.
Darling- Maybe he needs a season of split starts to prepare him for a 50-55 game season. Ward is playing well enough for Darling to get 38-41 starts.
Fleury- I hope he doesn’t lose confidence. He was playing well for a rookie. Now is sitting in the press box while Dahlbeck is playing his best stretch as a Cane.
Ward and Darling both play their best when rested, so an obvious though non-traditional solution presents itself.
I was unable to watch the game last night and hope to catch the replay tomorrow at noon.
But I did have an odd idea, and that is Slavin returning to form may be a big key to the season. He hasn’t been bad, but last year he finished +23. This year he was -9 after The Toronto game, a pace to finish -22. That is a -45 goal swing. What?
Nasheville was the first time in a long stretch (maybe the first Edmonton game?) that he appeared to be in last years form. His gaps, speed, positioning, ability to take the puck away, etc, looked more like a +23 pace. I will watch him closely in the replay to see if Nashville was an anomaly or if he is “back”.
Sometime these young guys with a fat new contract look like they have it duct taped to their body and it weighs them down lol.
Why is Phil D still up and getting playing time? Why not bring up someone who can contribute I don’t what else a Zykov or Saarela have to do to get a look.
Zykov and Saarela are two different types of players. I think Zykov has play here to replace PDG. He scores goals the right way – in front of the net (often on the PP). Saarela will eventually be the playmaker/sniper the Canes can use soon. And Wallmark is probably the most NHL-ready player in the AHL, but he is a natural center. And Foegele is a big body who is strong on the puck and finishes well.
And I think what we may be seeing is Peters’ stated preference for players who are proven to be able to play at the NHL level and not “might be able” to play. Francis was recently on record saying he thinks it is a good thing that we can let these players continue to “develop”.
Personally I think that is short-sighted. I think anyone of those 4 – if properly slotted – would represent upgrades over our current lineup.
Let’s not praise our PK too quickly. I think my daughter who was also there said it best, “Buffalo’s power play is so bad, it makes ours look great.” The Buffalo PP looked like the Keystone Cops on ice.
I agree with Asheville – Slavin (and Pesce) looking a lot better in the D zone taking away time and space.
Finally, Matt, you called it – the player most likely to make a difference short term. Ward. Without a doubt, he is stepping in and playing up. I do see Ward in net on Wednesday and then they split the weekend back-to-back (effectively making Ward the starter since TOR). Darling was too impressive in Chicago to not have that success translate here consistently (although he has had great games and highlight reel saves as a Cane). I am hoping a rest and reset has him back to form after this weekend.
The talent pipeline is quickly becoming a good problem.
I am still not sure if the Canes are “buyers” at the trade deadline. The options will likely be a veteran 40-50 point scorer. Yet that is exactly Stempniak. If he regains his health, then why give up prospects.
In addition, I agree with tj that the Checkers’ options would all be ready–and as tj identifies, they offer a wide-range of skills. I see the value in getting youngsters some professional experience. But as was mentioned on NHL radio today, the league is becoming ever more of young players’ league. Look at the success Boston is having with McAvoy, Pastrnak, DeBrusk, and Carlo.
One or two more youngsters might be just the thing that most teams are looking for at the deadline.
I am “all in” if young guys give us the best chance to win…. and I believe they might. But we have to call them up to find out.
And, the financial and contract situation is solved.
And I also have to say seeing Mark Recchi and Doug Weight take the ice in ’06 made me. Relieve that the canes could win the whole thing.
Recchi and Weight occupy a special place in my heart and brain, but if the data indicates fresh legs are a better option, I am all in.