For anyone who did not check in earlier today, I posted a Tim Gleason tribute for his return to Raleigh. You can find that in the archives if you missed it.
Going into the week, the Carolina Hurricanes had won 4 straight and were looking at a reasonably normal Tuesday/Thursday/Friday schedule. Then the team spent nearly 48 hours in a hotel during the blizzard in Buffalo, missed the Tuesday game and returned Wednesday to practice and try to get back on track for Thursday’s game. These odd situations are unpredictable and always seem like they can go either way. This time it obviously went in the Canes’ favor. Unfortunately the lead in to Thursday’s game is unrepeatable because it sure worked.
The Canes were dominant on the forecheck early and were able to sustain pressure across all 4 lines. The 1st goal came on a solid effort with participation from all 3 forwards on the 4th line when Boychuk dumped the puck cross corner for Lindholm to chase down and pitch to Sutter who then found Boychuk for a nifty backhander. The 2nd goal came on the power play after a solid shift by the 3rd line ultimately resulting in Drayson Bowman drawing a penalty. The Canes never really let up and were just leaps and bounds better 5-on-5 all night eventually running to a dominant 6-1 win.
A few notes:
--Zach Boychuk. This was easily his best game as a Hurricane. He brought the offense originally expected of him with the backhand finish and a nice feed to Liles 2-on-1 for another goal. More significantly, he continues to play with the hunger for the puck of a 4th-liner (which he is) who desperately wants to stay in the NHL (which he clearly does). He has been playing well anyway, but he might also be spurred to an even higher level with the return of Lindholm and Nash and Tlusty getting closer. He is again auditioning for an NHL job either with the Canes or otherwise for the other 29 teams if he has to go back across waivers.
--Welcome back. After a brief sabbatical to play in the world juniors, Elias Lindholm had a solid return notching a goal and 2 assists.
--Forward position is getting deeper. With Bowman continuing to play solid hockey, Boychuk rising up and the hope that the WJC tourney returns Lindholm with confidence and ready to rise up, the team is getting deeper.
--John-Michael Liles. He just continues to fit in and look comfortable. The goal is a bonus but the bigger thing is that he has been able to parachute into a new situation/lineup and hold his own. His plus 7 in only a few games is not sustainable, but he does have upside especially on the power play as he settles in. The huge side bonus that comes with Liles is that he is a tremendous mentor for Murphy who is about 760 NHL games behind but on a very similar path in terms of style of play. It is becoming a regular occurrence to see Liles chatting with Murphy at the end of shifts.
--Jordan Staal. His consistency level is tremendous right now. He scored today, but even on slower nights he is just playing a much better brand of hockey than last year.
--Jeff Skinner. Nothing to see here. Slow night. Only 1 goal. Yawn. He did also have an assist.
--The standings. Washington won, so the Canes are still in 4th in the Metro, but the win did bring the Canes to even (with a game in hand) with Toronto which puts the team in the 8th and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference if the season ended today.
The Flyers are playing real well. The Rangers are winning more. The Blue Jackets are finally healthy and looking to climb. The Capitals are still right in the thick of it. The Devils are only 2 points behind the Canes. And by no means are the Islanders left for dead at this point. The key for the Canes is not to get content and take the foot off the gas, but instead to keep playing desperate especially early.
Next up is Canes brunch tomorrow late morning with a boberry biscuit at Bojangles by virtue of the power play goal and free queso at Moe’s from the Lindholm tally. And the half-price Papa John’s offer is well-timed for Friday dinner or for the Canes game tomorrow night in Columbus.
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