Ugh…Has not happened in awhile, but I just managed to lose most of the recap when it seemed to disappear into the ether. Figures it would be after a fun win with a decent number of positives.
Rather than trying to recreate it, I will just jump to the bullet points.
Notes from the Carolina Hurricanes 6-5 win over the Arizona Coyotes
1) Valentin Zykov
Playing with Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen, he had a tremendous game all around. He finished a pretty goal labeling a shot off the rush and an ugly goal banging in a rebound after setting a screen. He was a partial screen on another goal by Teravainen. And he showed a good knack for closing angles and space defensively in all three zones. Two smaller things jumped out to me. First was a sequence in the second period. He was twice parked in front of the net and had to leave to win/support the puck. In both cases, he immediately returned to the front of the net afterward. His simple ‘when at all possible just go to the top of the crease’ style of play is both refreshing and productive. The other was a two on two rush in the third period where Zykov smartly gave the puck to Aho and then stormed to the front of the net.
2) Elias Lindholm
He had two pretty playmaking assists distributing the puck from his office at the side of the net. While maybe not the traditional playmaking center who likes to carry the puck in space and then distribute it, Lindholm continues to be incredibly productive centering the puck from the side of the net to a finisher in front of the net.
3) The good and bad of Jeff Skinner
Skinner was dangerous offensively intermittently on Thursday night and scored right at the beginning of the game and then late to win it. The game was obviously a productive one offensively, but in between he had a tough go of it in terms of puck management. He had stretches where he seemed to be constantly turning the puck over trying to make something happen.
4) ‘Bleh’ from Cam Ward buried under scoring
In addition to the one bizarre goal, Ward let in consecutive soft goals in the second period being beaten from a ways out and then having a puck shot off the back of his leg and in from behind the net. On this night, the Hurricanes offense surged against an equally leaky goalie at the other end, but the night was not a particularly good one for Ward.
5) Roland McKeown
McKeown had a fairly quiet game in 15:03 of ice time which is not a horrible thing for a young defenseman.
6) Phil Di Giuseppe
Di Giuseppe had a strong night and was able to convert it on the score sheet on this night. His goal was one of sticking with it after he scored on his third shot of the shift. And he was an active part of Skinner/Lindholm/Di Giuseppe which was strong offensively all night.
7) Jaccob Slavin
His scoring ways continued with three asssists. He now has two goals in five assists in the last four games.
8) The curse of Arturs Irbe clearly lives
I know that many think my commentary about the curse of Arturs Irbe is purely in jest. Chuckle if you so choose, but little by little more are beginning to believe and understand. After Arturs Irbe recently made a return to PNC Arena for a ceremonial pre-game face-off, many thought that perhaps the curse had been lifted. I reported after the game that unfortunately it did not seem that Irbe could simply lift his own curse. And Thursday’s game very clearly sent a message from the hockey gods confirming just that. How else could you explain Cam Ward somehow getting the puck lodged in his skate behind the net, retreating to the net while he frantically tried to figure out where the puck was and then ultimately scoring on himself when he put his skate into the net? Jofa helmets…There is no way around it…We need old, bucket style Jofa goalie helmets…
Next up for the Hurricanes is a Saturday match up against the Ottawa Senators.
Go Canes!
Zykov came in and played like you would expect Zykov to play. To me, at least, he seemed like the natural fit to Aho and Turbo – playing in front of the net and powering to the net. It was so great to see him rewarded – twice. I was hoping to lose a hat to him.
It makes me wonder why he wasn’t brought up earlier in the season when so many of us wanted him and thought he would be a difference-maker.
What bothered me – the limited shifts/minutes he was on ice, and the limited minutes that the Aho line was on the ice. They were an offensive powerhouse – I didn’t see major defensive lapses although Zykov needs work on 50/50 puck battles, and at times early he was too unselfish with the puck when he had shot possibilities (Shoot Valintin! Shoot!).
Here is hoping that Zykov continues to prove that whoever wanted to keep him in Charlotte was wrong – and gets held accountable.
Meanwhile, Ryan proves he doesn’t even belong as a 4th line center – each player on that line was a -3. Compare JoNo with Ryan with the few games he was on a 4th line centered by Rask.
Is Lindholm the strong center Skinner needs??
Finally, even though there were 5 goals scored against us (4, actually, minus that freak of a goal) I didn’t see the lapses in the defensive zone that has been our bane of late (if not all season).
There is still time for a winning streak, eh?
Definitely agree that he needs to work on puck battles. I don’t know how to describe the way he battled for pucks in the game yesterday, but it was really weird. He didn’t seem like he was engaged or trying hard along the boards to win the puck. He seemed tentative which makes me think he was sort of feeling things out and not quite confident yet. He looked like he was very delicately poking at the puck to try to get it from the other player. Like I said it was weird and I don’t know how to describe it.
I’m glad Zykov has had such a positive impact, his I’d a skill set we desperately need, however there is nothing lost in patient a development, save maybe a better shot first round exit and a worse draft pick. I hope the kid does real well. He has a great start.
Though now that you mention it I still voted to fire Bill Peters. He’s a good smart hockey guy, but it seems like he’s lost some in the locker room, and a fresh vision might help. But then I am an opinionated fan as always. Heck I wouldn’t mind a late season tank, and I know none on the team want to do that.
Guess it’s all about perspective. I suppose April hockey would have been fun. But it will be next April too, if Zykov comes in with 20 goals and we get a higher draft pick to add to our very solid prosprdct pool. And… you know…the goaltending.
This is where I roll my eyes. If we bitch and moan about 9 years not being in the playoffs then a first round exit in the playoffs is still – guess what? – being in the playoffs. Monkey off back. Difference in draft pick negligible.
True, but I’m not the one bitching and moaning. I personally couldn’t care less about a first round exit. I’m all about the Process. I accept that I am the weird one in this fanbase, but I legit roll my eyes at nine years of playoffslessness, because that’s just not a big deal to me. I’m more of a big picture focus than present time though. And I still get to see TT and Aho dominate. I’m good with it.
In the sense of what you just wrote, you and I are much more on the same page.
Make it three. I am optimistic again.
1. A new line is born: the TAZ line. Much like the devil, it spins (Aho and Teravainen like to stop then go in the other direction) and leaves destruction in its wake with Zykov in front of the net. I am with tj in that he fits with Aho and TT. But closer to fogger in that I think all the success in the AHL might have been why he looks ready.
The most important point about that line was Aho at center. I know others “are not sold” on Aho as 1C, but for me he is the player who drives the offense. Zykov’s goals were great in that he was near the net, but the reason he found the puck there was the playmaking of Aho.
2. The 2C.
3. Agree. Though if he stays, I actually think a Skinner/Lindholm/Rask line might be extremely effective. It would balance Skinner’s strengths with two responsible line mates–who coincidentally demonstrated chemistry playing together last year in the World Championships.
4. Not a great first two periods–but some key saves in the last. Also, the first goal is mostly on the officials. Either they lost sight of the puck and the play ends or it being lodged in equipment means the play ends. Really strange, but appropriate given the way some goals have been scored against Carolina this year.
5. I am ok starting 2018-19 with McKeown.
6. Good night, but he just doesn’t have the game to be more than 13th forward next year.
7. Slavin needs to be given the role (along with Pesce and Hainfin) of driving offense next season. The lack of D scoring was a big negative this year.
8. Worth a try.
Circling back to yesterday’s conversation (so fogger’s point about players within the organization):
Teravainen/Aho/Zykov
Skinner/Lindholm/Rask
Foegele/Necas/Williams
McGinn/Staal/Roy
Key points: Aho is the 1C. The three together should all be 20+ goal scorers. Foegele is the fastest and most responsible of the prospects, his speed should match up with Necas while Williams give the line experience and stability. The “fourth line,” I think everyone knows I think that is quickly becoming an outdated concept, can be the defensively disruptive line while still offering offense. Staal still gets 16-17 minutes a night due to special teams. In the four Charlotte games I have seen this year, Roy uses his size/reach well in all three zones. Staal and Roy would make every foray into the Canes’ zone a real battle for opposing teams’ best lines. McGinn could continue to put big hits on the likes of Crosby, Hall, and Matthews.
Of course, I think like everyone else that a free agent will be brought in or a trade made. But these lines provide a view of a different (and I think more competitive) Canes.
Now that is a shockingly intriguing lineup, even without the additions. Necas is the real wild card. If he’s ready, then it’s game on. If he needs another year, I don’t think it’s a big deal though.
I love your lines with the exception of Roy. I am higher on Roy than most and I think he could be ready for next year, but I’m not ready to pencil him in yet. So I might go with Williams with Staal and someone like Wallmark or Kuokkanen with Necas. And as much as I like those lines I’m not sure how ready those guys will be and I doubt with the pressure to make the playoffs that the new GM will want that many rookies on the roster. I think it’s too early to say Zykov will stick on the top line (we’ll see) and that Necas, Foegele, and Roy will be ready to go, but we can hope. We’ll have to see in camp/preseason how ready those guys are. It’s hard to wait on these guys to develop because we see so much exciting potential that we want to see realized now.
And I meant to add in my comment that I’ve been wanting to try out Skinner/Lindholm/Rask as a line because, as you mentioned, Lindholm and Rask have had success in the World Championships with Rask playing right wing to Lindy’s center.
Well now. Might it be that we have found our scoring catalyst? Jimmy Rutherford never had any luck with Russians. Apparently, Ronnie didn’t inherit the problem.
Watching this kid playing with our Finns is just plain fun!
And did anybody notice the change in Mssrs Skinner, DiGiuseppe, and Lindholm?
Scoring from two lines? Who’d a thunk it? Wow!
Can we extend this to playing against the better teams? We will see. Next we play home and home against the Senators. Hey! Wait! Didn’t they trade an army of prospects and draft picks (and lest we forget, Kyle Turris) to obtain the scoring catalyst of all scoring catalysts, Matt Duchene?
This should be interesting. How are the Sens doing? Did Duchene set them ablaze with scoring fervor?
Has there ever been a case in NHL history where the addition of one talented player has turned a team around so completely as was expected of poor Matt Duchene?
I think not.
There were those who said that Joe Sakic was a bad GM because he was unrealistic in his asking price for Duchene.
Yet, in the end he got his asking price. Hmmmm!
But wait! He not only got his asking price, but once the scoring catalyst departed, the team got better. They started scoring goals like crazy and WINNING! I guess maybe Joe Sakic knew stuff that we didn’t know. Maybe he isn’t a bad GM after all.
Maybe Ronnie had a few hole cards he wasn’t showing. Maybe he wasn’t a bad GM. Maybe he just had a bad sense of timing. Maybe we should see if this group of players he so carefully assembled can win like we want them to.
Maybe the circumstances are not ideal. But I believe the players are.
I don’t think Ron had the chance to show what he was really trying to do which is unfortunate. And I do get why fans were frustrated with him. I think he just needed that last year or two (at most) to complete the rebuild.
Yeah baby!!!!
If I’m TD, I’m asking why Zykov (and maybe Foegele) weren’t brought up sooner. I’m assuming RF makes these decisions. There really is no defensible answer to me. A healthy organization promotes from within and rewards success, even if it means sitting a higher-priced player.
I’d be happy to defend player development to you, if you’d like. He needed to get better defensively. And now he’s holding his own. Another summer of work, and he can be well prepared for a spot. The only thing that it hurt was our prospects for this particular season, which we already know Ron didn’t care that much about. I think he’ll be vindicated in a few years personally, once all this young talent has time to flesh out, but we’ll see. I see both sides of the argument, and yours is quite valid, I’m just on the other side of that line.
I have to agree that Ron letting Zykov and others stay in Charlotte made a difference in their development and they (and soon the Canes) will really benefit from it. It’s like letting Aho stay in Finland or Necas in Czech Republic, even though Zykov and Foegele were older prospects I think the extra time is helping them all out a lot. So when we make our call ups the players are actually ready to play or close to it.