After a three-game skid that included two completely lackluster efforts, a Bill Peters’ tirade in a post-game press conference and an all too familiar feeling that the season was ending early, the Hurricanes rebounded this past weekend with a pair of wins. And just like that the Hurricanes are back in playoff position and the outlook for the 2017-18 is at least potentially bright.
I would not categorize the two wins as dominant, but they were impressive because of the high level of play pretty much across the board. Both goalies played well. The defense righted the ship and was sound. The compete level returned after a few games off during the previous weekend. And the offense suddenly looked capable even if not dynamic. More significant than ratings on level of play is the simple fact that the team really needed to right the ship and collect points before the season slipped away.
So after entering last week with a feeling of despair, the team concluded the week with a solid 2-0-1 record and now enters the current week with a positive vibe and some momentum.
‘What I’m watching’ for the Carolina Hurricanes versus the Los Angeles Kings
Against that backdrop, here is what I am watching for the Carolina Hurricanes battle against the Kings on Tuesday.
1) Foot still on the gas
Even though the Hurricanes lost in overtime on Tuesday, the game did offer a much-needed change in terms of pace, intensity and compete level. That higher gear carried forward into the weekend and resulted in two wins. After a couple days off to digest the wins, will the Hurricanes return with an understanding for how to reach that higher gear? Or will they instead pause to exhale and in the process let their game slip just a little with some pressure relieved? Through 56 games, the Hurricanes have won more than two games in a row only three times. I really think that this sets up to be a ‘Justin Williams game.’ After Friday’s win, Williams was quick to point out in post-game interviews that Friday’s win meant nothing if the team did not follow it up on Saturday. I think it falls on Justin Williams and the captains to rattle the saber a bit in the locker room either after the morning skate or before the game on Tuesday to make sure players enter the game with the same hunger they had when they were sputtering. I will be watching closely on Tuesday, especially early, to make sure the Hurricanes arrive with the same intensity level that they finished with on Saturday.
2) Goaltending
There were many positive trends to come out of the set of weekend wins, but not being distracted, I continue to think that getting at least league average goaltending is a critical component for a playoff push. As such, I will be watching on Tuesday to see if the positive trajectory for Canes’ goaltending continues.
3) The offense against a big challenge
After a run of sluggish offensive play, the Hurricanes broke through a bit over the weekend with seven goals combined in two games. A more balanced set of four lines played a role, but more than anything the team just managed to finish a few. Tuesday represents a big challenge offensively. The Kings are second stingiest team in the entire NHL in terms of goals allowed and maybe more significantly present a style of play that has the potential to leave the Hurricanes frustrated. The Kings can play a physical game on the forecheck and also limiting chances off the rush. With Jonathan Quick having a strong season, if the Hurricanes settle for being pushed outside and fall into the trap of trying to play ‘beat the goalie’ without traffic to the front of the net, the game sets up to be the variety where the Hurricanes fare well in terms of shot totals but very predictably come up short in terms of grade A scoring chances and ultimately goals on the scoreboard. On Tuesday, I will be watching to see if the Hurricanes can play between the face-off circles in the offensive zone and also show a willingness to compete for ice space at the top of the crease.
The puck drops at 7:07pm at PNC Arena.
Go Canes!
Next 8 games to decide playoff picture for us. Put up or shut up time!
OTL points against good teams won’t get it done. Whatever it takes to pull out a win.
Interesting roster for tonight…
McGinn-Staal-Lindholm
Teravainen-Rask-Williams
Skinner-Aho-Stempniak
Nordstrom-Ryan-Di Giuseppe
Slavin-Pesce
Fleury-Faulk
Hanifin-van Riemsdyk
Ward
Darling
Will be curious to see if BP sticks with this beyond the first period. I do like the Aho at center experiment continuing; maybe he can spark Skinner.
I really like McGinn but he is not a first liner; not that we have a true first line beyond TSA. If nothing else that group should be physical and have a lot of net-front presence.
Hope that is the lineup… I like it for the players we have now. It’s two 2nd lines and two 3rd lines…. or 2.7 2nd lines, etc…. you get the point. I hope they have time to gel.
Lindholm at center was involved in all three goals Saturday. Why switch him back already?
Last goal corrected–it was Aho with secondary assist. Which is why I think the lines are what we see tonight. BP realizes that the remainder of the season will be much more successful if Skinner scores in bunches. If (I realize it is a big if) Aho creates better opportunities for Skinner and Stempniak as he did on the third goal Saturday, then whoa boy.
So more that what I am watching is what I am hoping tonight. Aho does his skate in-skate out-skate around thing (The Aho Pokey anyone?) and Skinner gets his best looks of the year and has his first multi-goal game in almost 3 months.
OMG!!
Peters is an idiot!!!
McGinn is at best a 3rd line player, what is wrong with this guy. I am sick of his visible favoritism for average players. He does not get rewarded for a couple goals, larger percentage of time, McGinn can’t hit net!
Aho third line, WTF!!!
Staal is 2nd line center at best.
Agree!!!!! Keep Lindholm at center or Aho 2st line center and libdholm at wing with Skinner!!!!
If we lose this game, fore Peters.
If we win, still fire him.
This is rediculous, every game he is changing lines, I played hockey, it is not required, just tells me coach does not know his personnel and their strengths!!!!
Sooooo, those are kind of just random numbers and mean absolutely nothing to hockey coaches, and does not mean anything when it comes to ice time unless BP decides it does.
Do you really think a line with Aho and Skinner is going to get shortchanged minutes? Of course not, but BP isn’t exactly trying to roll them out against Kopitar’s line either.
What is more ridiculous? Trying to establish chemistry and build skill sets by manipulating lines, or freaking out and demanding firings over meaningless line numerations?
I’m actually excited to see the McGinn-Staal-Lindholm trio, if it clicks, it’s quite possible that this is a better version of the Nestrasil-Staal-Nordstrom line, that shut down other teams while still playing good offense. At the very least, they should keep Kopitar’s line at bay.
Will be fascinating to see Aho at center with Skinner too. Ryan and Stempniak are looking more like trade bait (and more PICKS!!!) by the day. I would expect Peters to do a lot of juggling tonight playing the matchups with the Kings. We have a tendency to get taken advantage of, against the more physical teams, so Peters is clearly cognizant of that.
Here’s hoping the team keeps the momentum strong!