2017-2018 Carolina Hurricanes Season

[MillionDollarCam]

Good start to the game for the boys!!!

Filthy goal by Slavin!

[MillionDollarCam]

The Canes had a YUGEEEEE 7-3 win over the Kings tonight.

A couple of notes from the game.

- Justin Faulk became the 10th defenseman in NHL HISTORY to record a natural hat trick and the first Canes defenseman to record a natural hat trick. Faulk's hat trick was the 5th hat trick by a Canes defenseman in their history.

- The Canes recalled Checkers captain Patrick Brown who is statistically on pace for his best professional season. Brown has recorded 6 goals, 14 assists, and 20 points in 44 games this year.

The Canes are still hanging on to the final wild card spot in the east with Columbus on our heels. If there was ever a time for a big win streak, it's now. The Canes next four opponents are metropolitan rivals in New Jersey (X2), the New York Islanders, and Pittsburgh.

[lightsout]

The next four are absolutely point must-haves. Regulation losses only make staying in the hunt hard. 

If we can survive this week with NJ and NYI, we will be solidly in the 7th seed and possibly the 6th if Philly falters. We're still in striking distance of Pittsburgh as well, so we need these next four, preferably as regulation wins.

[MillionDollarCam]

The wheels have fallen off for the Canes. Ron Francis has been "reassigned" and Dundon is actively looking for a new general manger.

On the plus side, there are reports that the Canes may be preparing to throw a huge offer at John Tavares once the season is over and free agency opens up.

[MillionDollarCam]

9 seasons and counting... Maybe next year, maybe next year.

[cookinbrak]

Another season of finishing 8 points out.

[RealBitsOfPanther]

Inconsistent goaltending continues to be this teams downfall. 

[lightsout]

A season of mediocrity yet again. 

The good:

Aho and Teravainen show massive improvement and continue to prove their worth. Aho could be an All-Star selection next season if he can continue his trend of improvement. 

D is good. Everybody craps on Faulk, and sure he can make some boneheaded plays, but he makes up for it with goal scoring or by creating chances for everybody else on breakout passes. Hanifin continues to get better and better and will probably be even more of a presence in front of the crease next season.

Skinner has stabilized. He isn't completely made of glass anymore it seems. When he's hot, he's deadly. 

Young talent in Charlotte. A lot of guys (Zykov, Foegele, Saarela,  Necas namely) proved they can play with the big boys and I am very excited about seeing what Dundon requires of the next GM. 



The bad:

Darling. Not a bad goalie...but not the answer. We have two solid options in Nedeljkovic and Booth in Charlotte. Nedeljkovic showed promise during the 2016 season when he got called up. Maybe he can be the answer.

Coaching. Bill Peters has to go. He's not a terrible coach, but he has no idea how to push this talent to the next level. This team, as it is structured, IS a playoff team. We can't respond when we are getting scored on, and that is a coaching issue. If the goalies aren't standing on their heads, and if we're not hot out of the gate, it's usually a loss. This can't be case moving forward. Time for fresh blood.


Oh well. 9 season drought. Maybe next year.