The Carolina Hurricanes’ 2-1 shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. on Tuesday added another bend in the road along the team’s journey through the regular season.
It seems like there is no straight path for many teams in the NHL to follow at this time of the season and the Hurricanes are taking as many twists and turns as any.
However, the road that Carolina is following currently is leading to a smoother ride with more positive results and destinations than the bumpy one they were on earlier in the season that led to too many losses and making many feel like they wanted to abandon the trip altogether.
Do it for the fans
Believe it or not, there are bright spots that have flashed along the way recently.
Since Christmas day, the Hurricanes are 5-5-2, which includes a 4-1-1 record at home.
When coach Kirk Muller first took over the team just after Thanksgiving, the team’s play continued to show poorly at home as it posted a 2-4 record before December 25th.
At that time, many people surrounding and following the team were wondering how much worse it would get.
However, since that time, the Hurricanes have managed to show an improved level of play at home that has helped to make it easier for their season ticket and mini-plan holders to see that they are playing differently and working hard to earn wins.
The good news
The team’s past five games in particular have shown results that Muller has been working to produce since he took over in late November – sustaining 60 minutes of consistent play at both ends of the ice.
The team earned five points out of a possible 10 with three one-goal losses to the Flyers, Capitals and Penguins, and all in games that could have gone in their favor.
Before that span of games began, a bleaker outlook had them possibly losing all five games; so chalk it up to the resiliency of this team to not give up and particularly so against some the of the NHL’s most offensively-talented teams.
Carolina's identity has been slightly re-forged and is exhibiting added character traits from more players who are extending beyond their roles to show who they really are – they are tired of being pushed around.
Look no further than Tim Brent to tell you that.
Band of brothers
Injuries have hit the team which is to be expected of a team that plays the grinding lunch pail-style that the Hurricanes do.
However, missing Jeff Skinner for 16 games has required a lot of adjustment and increased burden to create offense from a very limited talent pool of goal scorers; almost like squeezing a grape when there is nothing left except the skin.
Somehow though, the Hurricanes have ventured on, not leaving anyone behind, and with many others stepping up to carry the responsibility and physical burden to finish their journey together.
At this point, no one can fault this team for the character and resolve it is showing in taking the bumps, bruises, cuts, broken noses and everything else it has endured in stride.
Every player on the roster is showing that giving up is not an option, even with 34 games remaining in the regular season.
As captain Eric Staal put it, “right now, we’re just searching for any win.”
The Hurricanes’ journey continues at home against Washington on Friday night.
Follow the Raleigh Sports Examiner on Twitter @pksport
New! The Carolina Hockey Network
Get Carolina Hurricanes news from the Raleigh Sports Examiner daily: Just click the Subscribe button
Comments