The Carolina Hurricanes went 0-3-0 this past week bringing the teams current losing streak to four games. The team dropped contests to the Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, and New Jersey Devils. The current losing skid has dropped the team to last in the Eastern Conference with 19 points. This is the third losing streak of at least four games for the team this season.
Offense unable to finish
Throughout their current four game losing streak the Carolina Hurricanes haven’t had to worry about getting pucks on net. In every game they’ve out shot their opponents, in some cases having double and almost triple the number of shots of their opponents, yet in each of those games they’ve only managed to score a single goal. It’s this lack of efficiency and quality scoring chances that has been the root of the problem for the Hurricane’s offense this season.
Despite the high volume of shots and the talent of the players on the squad the desired results have yet to come with anything close to the consistency that the team needs in order to be successful. The tight defense and goaltending of Cam Ward and Anton Khudobin have kept the team in many games but the club hasn’t been able to close games out or answer back when faced with a deficit .
Ward carries the load
Cam Ward was Head Coach Bill Peters’ choice to start in net during each game this week. The goaltender played well despite the results being less than what he and the team were looking for. Ward stopped 62 of the 68 shots he faced this week with a 91% save percentage. It will be interesting to see going forward what if any changes Peters makes going forward regarding his goaltenders. It’s possible that he’ll continue to ride with Ward or we may see Anton Khudobin get some more ice time next week. Ward has been in net for all eight for the Hurricanes’ victories this season and has given the team a chance to win most nights. Despite the wins not coming he seems to have begun to rebound from a disappointing 2013-2014.
Luck remains foreign
If there was ever a play that could perfectly summarize the Hurricanes season thus far it came against the Lightning Thursday night. With only 30 seconds remaining in a tied game the Lightning were pressuring in the offensive zone. Nikita Kucherov looked to center the puck to a teammate but had his pass deflected off the skate of Ron Hainsey pass Ward into the net for what became the game winning goal. Despite great energy and effort from the team, something that had been lacking in its two previous losses, the Hurricanes once again again came out with a loss in the standings.Undetermined by the results, players and coaches are still confident in the club’s ability to salvage the season.
What lies ahead
The team will look to get one back in the win column against the struggling Philadelphia Flyers before traveling to Montreal and facing the Canadians to conclude their current road stand. The Hurricanes will then be returning home to face the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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