The Hurricanes are currently in last place in the Southeast Division with 33 points and a 13-24-7 record, which currently has them in the basement of both the Eastern Conference and NHL as far as the standings. One reason for this current slide may just be the fact that Carolina has not had the chance to put a consistent team on the ice; more than half way through season, only three players have played in every game, and approximately two-thirds have played in less than 40, while half of those have appeared in 20 or less games. It is tough to win when constantly juggling lineups.
As one of the best young teams in the league the past few years, the Canes have the personnel and talent to be successful, but their top scorers will need to take the teams by the horns and the rest will have to step up and help at both ends of the ice for Carolina to turn things around.
Left-winger Ray Whitney, who leads the team in points (31) and goals (13), and C Eric Staal (28 points – 9 goals, team-leading 19 assists) will be looking for additional firepower from C Matt Cullen (8 goals, 19 assists), LW Jussi Jokinen (11 goals, 15 assists), and star RW Tuomo Ruutu (11 goals, 14 assists) once he gets back from injury. In the meantime, the Hurricanes are very thin at forward, and hoping that replacements from Albany in the AHL can hold their own on the ice.
The goalkeeping will also need to improve, as Cam Ward (8-15-5, 2.91 GAA, .905 save %) – one of the league's best technical goalies – has not been living up to his normal standards, and has seemingly only been a part of the other team's highlight films night-in-night-out prior to his November injury. Since his return, Ward has played in 12 straight games and 3-1 in the New Year, with a 1.73 GAA and .944 save percentage during that span. Those are the numbers one expects from the Canes' number one keeper, and numbers which need to continue in order for Carolina to climb out of the basement in time for the playoffs in March.
Get your tickets now, because the Carolina Hurricanes are bound to turn things around and provide some very entertaining and exciting hockey moments as they make a run to the NHL playoffs during the second half of the season.
