One might figure that the Hurricanes have been firing on all cylinders to start the 2021-22 season based on the perfect 4-0-0 start, but I actually do not see that as being the case. On the offensive side of the puck, the Hurricanes have been finishing at a high rate more so than just completely dominating play, and on the defensive side of the puck, Frederik Andersen’s play in the last three games has made the team look better than it deserved defensively.
By no means am I suggesting that the Hurricanes have not played well thus far, but I do still think there is room for improvement. That is the focus of today’s Daily Cup of Joe.
Puck management advancing the puck up the ice
Despite winning and a good goals against total, I actually think the Hurricanes blue line has been intermittently sloppy defensively especially with regard to safely advancing the puck out of the defensive zone. Andersen erased four or five bad turnovers that led directly to high-quality scoring chances against in Saturday’s win, and that problem has been there in previous games too.
Blue line scoring
Despite the team scoring at a good pace, offense from the blue line has been slow to materialize. The defensemen have not scored a single goal yet, and also have only six assists at even strength. It is very early in the season, but could Dougie Hamilton have placed an Arturs Irbe-like departure curse on the team?
Penalties
Much like stretches of the 2020-21 season, the Hurricanes are giving up too many power play opportunities again. The penalty kill has been a strength for the team, but that is not a well that a team wants to go back to too often.
Closing out wins strong
The Hurricanes have been good at running out to leads that make the game seem safe but have not been great about finishing strong. Too much, they have pulled up a bit short of 60 minutes and relied on Frederik Andersen to hold the fort without enough help in the latter part of the third period.
What say you Canes fans?
1) Do you agree with my areas for improvement despite the 4-0-0 start?
2) What, if anything, would you add to the list?
Go Canes!
Well put. Yes, the games have been a lot closer than one would think by just looking at the score. the results could’ve been quite different if Anderson had not come up big.
A win is a win is a win, but this streak has not been powered by dominant and flawless performances (something that is probably barely possible in the NHL, there is significant parity).
One thing I would add to Matt’s list; scoring from the 4th line.
I believe that they have one goal so far (from the first game). They’ve done the 4th line job quite well, but we were hoping they would also chip in some scoring. 1 goal in 4 games is a bit on the low side, even for a 4th line.
Lawrence in particular seems to be on a cold streak.
I wonder if they’ll give Seth Jarvis a look on that line for a couple of games. Kid has played well and should get extra motivation out of seeing NHL action, and I think it’s worth a gamble. Also wonder if they put Brendan Smith in for Ian Cole for a game or 2. Smith played well in pre-season and Cole has been “meh”.
I would’ve loved to see D with Hamilton resigned and Smith and DeAngelo added, though Bear looks just fine and could settle in (Hamilton’s deal is about 1.5 mill too high and, more importantly, 2 years too long).
1. Yes puck management exiting the zone is #1. Everyone wants that, and it is interesting to watch different teams strategy for accomplishing the objective. Tampa – the two-in-a-row Stanley cup champion – uses an approach that looks a little different than other teams. When gaining possession in the D zone, it is common for a puck carrier to turn towards the wall, reverse direction and reset the attack, moving the puck side to side similar to soccer in changing the direction and pace of the attack. Since defenses collapse towards the middle, there is usually space there. Clearly they have good team communications for when there is space available. I haven’t noticed if it is only for a line change, given the way the camera follows the puck on TV.
2) Agree with Breezy, the fourth line is doing a good job on possession but could use a goal here and there. Aside from Martinook jumping on a bad turnover for an unassisted score, the fourth line hasn’t generated many chances. We should at least find out if Jarvis can give them a spark.