A change in the calendar has brought a change in fortunes for the Carolina Hurricanes. The team has started 2015 with a pair of 2-1 victories. The wins have instilled a new sense of confidence in the team that may propel them throughout the second half of the season.
The Hurricanes ended the year with a deflating 2-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, a game in which the Hurricanes controlled most of the pace before giving up the game winning goal with less than two minutes remaining in the 3rd period. They were able to rebound however with a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. The team would repeat its efforts two nights later against a potential playoff team in the Boston Bruins. The results against Boston as well as the division leading Penguins serve as just another reminder of what the team can do if the talent can find a way to finish games.
Staal streaking
The captain has led by example scoring in each of the last 3 games including the shootout winner against
the Bruins on Sunday afternoon. He was also able to score the game winner against the Flyers. Staal’s goal scoring burst has been just what the Canes needed with their offense continuing to struggle to score more than 1-2 goals a game. It’s beginning to become apparent that this is the scoring style that the team will continue to use going forward so expect them to lean even more on Staal to keep them afloat as his presence will be needed down the stretch.
Change in net brings same results
For weeks it seemed like Cam Ward and Anton Khudobin wouldn’t ever be able to win a close game. This was especially true for Khudobin who went winless in his first 10 starts despite his solid play. The goaltenders each claimed wins in their first starts of 2015, however. Ward made 23 stops against the Flyers while Khudobin made 19 against the Bruins including all three shootout attempts. Both players have seemed fresh despite the team nearing the midpoint of the season and each have given the team quality minutes. If both can continue their recent play and get some help from the front lines then the team may have a chance to string together some more wins. Having two solid goaltenders is a luxury for head coach Bill Peters and his staff and should allow both plenty of chances to start as the season progresses.
Penalty Kill continues its success
The Hurricanes went into Sunday’s game against the Bruins with the sixth best penalty kill in the NHL at 85.7% and went one-for-one. The team extended its streak of not allowing a powerplay goal for seven straight games and it’s last 20 tries.
What’s next for the team
The Hurricanes travel to Nashville Tuesday night for a matchup with the Predators. If the team can pick up the victory then it will be their first win streak beyond two games since the first week of November. The team then has a home game against the Buffalo Sabers before finish the week traveling to St. Louis to take on the Blues.