Gold: Canes look to snap slide in Boston

By Adam Gold radio host 99.9 the Fan

The Carolina Hurricanes have left the ice on the losing end just 13 times in 44 games this year. Only Colorado has “lost” less. The Panthers and Lightning have been beaten 15 and 16 times, respectively when you add in overtime/shootout losses.

So, let’s not be so hangdog after Tuesday night’s 4-3 loss to the Senators.

To answer your obvious question, yes, the Hurricanes have seemingly been worse against the non-playoff teams this year. Carolina has played teams currently inside the playoff line 18 times with a 14-3-1 mark, a points percentage of .806. Against those currently on the outside looking in, the Canes are 17-7-2 in 26 games. That’s good for a .692 percentage.  There’s nothing wrong with that number, of course, as it’s a higher percentage than 10 of the 16 playoff teams have in all games played.

But, if you’re lamenting the fact that the Hurricanes have appeared to “play down to the level of their opponent”, you also have to accept the other part of that story. They also play “up” to the best. And, to extend that line of thinking, the playoffs feature matchups against PLAYOFF TEAMS, so maybe it’s not such a bad thing.

It’s natural to think about what might have been were it not for losses to Ottawa (twice), New Jersey, Columbus, and Seattle. But, warm your Hurricanes soul with thoughts of wins over the Bruins (twice), Rangers, Lightning, Golden Knights (twice) and Flames (twice). So, flush Tuesday night, embrace the challenge of the next four games and let’s move on.

Oh, one more thing. I know Rod Brind’Amour talked encouragingly about the team’s push in the final 30 minutes. And, there’s no doubt that the Canes were at their best, especially in the 3rd period and could have drawn even. But, this is one of those rare times when I disagree with the head coach.  When it’s 4-0 before we’ve hit the 23-minute mark of the game I’m inclined to ignore the almost comeback.

Now the Hurricanes head into Boston to face a Bruins team that will be angry after blowing a 2-goal lead in a home loss to the Penguins. In addition, they’ve had no answers for Carolina this year. The Canes shut Boston out in Raleigh in the 6th game of the season, 3-0. But, that was just the warm up act to a 7-1 beating in Bean Town three weeks ago. The Hurricanes pumped in 5 1st-period goals in an utter humiliation of the home team as six players registered multiple point games.

The Bruins will be without their two best players as well. Patrice Bergeron left Tuesday night’s game with the Pens after a collision with Sidney Crosby and will be out of the line up with an upper body (likely concussion) injury. And, well-known pest and self-glossed Lamboughini, Brad Marchand was handed a 6-game suspension after a bizarre episode in which he punched Pittsburgh goaltender Tristan Jarry in the helmet in the closing seconds.

Marchand was given a match penalty which comes with an automatic suspension pending review by the commissioner. And, as he was being escorted off the ice by the linsemen, he added to the comedy by poking Jarry with the blade of his stick. A Bruins squad that is already dealing with the aborted comeback of goaltender Tuukka Rask and minus Bergeron and Marchand is very compromised heading to tonight’s game.

Or, considering the Hurricanes history against teams lower in the standings, maybe that’s a good thing for Boston.

Teuvo Teravainen will take the warm up tonight and rod Brind’Amour is hopeful that he’ll be able to play. Remember, Turbo was injured in Carolina’s blowout win over the Rangers last month. He missed the next game with the Devils but returned for wins over the Golden Knights and Senators (yes, the Canes CAN beat Ottawa), averaging 19 minutes per night in the two victories.

However, he sat out the final two games before the All Star Break with the hope of giving his lower body injury more time to heal. Well, it’s already two weeks since his last game, so let’s hope we see number 86 on the ice. Also, Ian Cole is going to jump back in the line up after being a healthy extra against the Senators. Who draws out of the mix will be decided when they figure out if Teravainen plays.

Vegas says…

Carolina -145. O/U: 5 ½ goals.

Coverage begins on 99.9 the Fan at 6:30 with Storm Watch starring Alec Campbell. Mike Maniscalco and Tripp Tracy follow with the live play-by-play just after 7:00. Make sure to follow the Canes Corner Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. A new episode drops the #MorningAfter every Hurricanes game.