The Hurricanes have an overwhelming number of home games this November and they've gotten off to a lackluster start. Last weeks game against Tampa Bay (Tuesday, Nov1) was a strong effort by the team. Jeff Skinner & Chad LaRose each notched 2 goals; it was a great start to the month.
Both Friday (Capitals) and Sunday (Stars) were a dismal effort by the entire team. With Washington they were trailing, but once Skinner's goal was whistled no good, something changed. What we were hoping to be a good energy, just turned into more mistakes. They needed that goal to pull them to even-strength, but instead it pulled off their focus. They were outplayed Friday much like they were on Sunday. Granted, both the Capitals and the Stars lead their respective divisions, but the Canes needed to want to win. Where did the heart of the team go?
Rutherford has said there will be a change. What will we get? A new forward in exchanged for one of our defense men? Someone else to make our blue line efficient? Some new faces from Charlotte? Only time will tell what's next for the Hurricanes.
Here are some things to mull over:
- Skinner is 22nd in the league with 14 points, the next highest is the injured Jussi Jokinen and Chad LaRose with 9 (making them 90th and 93rd respectively).
- Skinner has 6 goals and is 19th in the league. Both LaRose and Ruutu have 4 goals and are next highest.
- Skinner another team-leading stat by having 8 assists (28th in the league). Jokinen has 6, both LaRose and Pitkanen have 5.
- The issue? Skinner is -7 with +/-. So while he does a good job to convert, he's on the ice when a lot of goals are scored by the other team. Worse? Pitkanen is -10 and Staal is -16. Staal is last in the league at 681st for his dismal +/-. Skinner is 666th- geez that's a bad number.
While we are huge Jeff Skinner fans, this is a problem. We want Jeff to be a star, but he shouldn't be leading the team as he is. There needs to be a greater group effort. Staal also needs to find his footing. I understand that there are ups and downs when playing sports, but Staalsy needs to get out of this rut. We rely on him a lot and he needs to get his mental game back so he can lead the team once again.
This weekend reminded us that we are fans in good times and bad. Even when your team loses (and damn, does it hurt to watch your boys lose), you have to support them. Neither N nor I were at the games this weekend and we're grateful we weren't. That being sad, we still watched the games. I had to walk away and even shut off video feed off for the Stars game (I still listened to the game on the radio), but we will always support them in good times and bad. I don't like seeing our fans turn on our boys by booing or yelling during the game- I don't know if I could have handled being at the Stars game in person. Even though I can't always make it through watching a whole game, I am still a fan. Here's to hoping the Canes can get better and get the support from their fans that they deserve.
On the plate this week:
- Canes at Devils, Tues 7pm on VS
- Canes at Rangers, Fri 7pm on FSCRs
Next home games:
- PENGUINS at CANES, Sat 7pm
- Flyers at Canes, Mon 7pm
We're excited about Saturday. Always nerve-racking to have your two favorite teams face off though.
Until Next Time,
L
No comments:
Post a Comment