Finally Some Winning...... But is it Too Late?!?!?

Caniac's Still Waiting 

2015 has been a complete turn around for the Carolina Hurricanes; they are starting to look like a team that should have showed up back in September. The Carolina Hurricanes are currently in 28th place in the league with 37 points and hold a record of 16-25-5. At the current pace the Hurricanes are on pace to get roughly 65 or less points on the whole season which will not get you into the
playoffs once again. To put that number into perspective; Anaheim has played 46 games (same as the Hurricanes) and has 66 points that is leading the whole league.

When the calendar flipped and the key pieces returned to the line-up so did the Hurricanes, for the month of January they hold a record of 6-2-1. For many long-term fans this is not usual; they are a team that is always playing better hockey in the second half of the season. This season is one of those unique ones that it doesn't matter what the team does in the spring because they had such a horrible first half that they cant dig out and go for that playoff push like previous season.

The Hurricanes are just trying to salvage some part of the season; players are really starting to click and make themselves look good for other teams that might need them for a spot into the summer. Some players that have found a stride in the month of January are Eric and Jordan Staal, Brad Malone, Jay McClemet, Patrick Dwyer, and Anton Khudobin.

Brad Malone 

With Jordan Staal returning to the line-up on December 29th it has sparked not just team but his brother Eric as well. Eric Staal has found his confidence and scoring touch that everyone has known for the past 10 season. With both Staal's on a line that makes Carolina a bigger and stronger team. The 4th line of Brad Malone- Jay McClement- Patrick Dwyer are the strongest of this team and the only line that has not been touched since they found their scoring touch. Brad Malone came over from Colorado and brought a physical game with him. Once he got that first goal the flood gates opened, he has 3 goals now and is piling on the assists.

The goal tending is the one things that has not been called into question this season for the Hurricanes; both Cam Ward and Anton Khudobin have been amazing. It took Dobby a little longer to get his first win of the season but since then he has won 5 of his last starts in net. We might be seeing some players leave to head to a playoff contender but that is part of the business and Ron Francis has already said that he will only made the trade if it makes our team better.

With the All-Star break upon us now, this gives the Hurricanes some time to heal up and get ready to continue playing good team hockey. Hurricanes return from break with a 7:30 start at PNC against the Tampa Bay Lighting.