It is Friday evening. My two boys just went to sleep and my wife is out for a glass of red with her sister. She rarely gets out these days, so I am happy for her. I am writing this while watching my other favorite team, the North Carolina Tar Heels play their first basketball game of the season. They are playing Lipscomb University out of the Nashville area. Before getting to the Hurricanes, I have to talk about this game right fast. When you see Lipscomb on the schedule, you automatically assume a win. Not that Lipscomb is awful, not by any means. They are always well-coached and usually loaded with three-point threats. Not to mention some dude who led the nation in scoring last year, so they have that as well.
The Heels look like a very talented version of last year. They always seem to give up the three pointer. Collapse down low, the ball goes back out, and teams always seem to hit the three against us. It is frustrating as a fan because it is quite predictable. Against an ACC team, if we play like this, we lose. And, as I type this, UNC is only winning by 5 points, and is lucky they are not losing. Harrison Barnes is legit. McDonald has a smooth shot, and Drew II and Zeller should provide some leadership, but you can tell it is the first game of the season. We have a long way to go.
Now on to the Hurricanes. After 16 games we are right where I thought we would be: Inconsistent. We are 8-8, a picture of mediocrity and inconsistency. How is this for inconsistent? Tuesday night we beat Edmonton 7-1. That is a touchdown plus the point after. In hockey. we scored more than the Panthers do on Sunday. Everything went right. On Thursday, two days later the Philadelphia Flyers came into the RBC Center (after playing Pinehurst #2 for some team building exercises). The Flyers own the Hurricanes. We have not beat them in regulation in 17 games, and have lost 8 in a row or something like that. This night, after demolishing Edmonton 7-1, the Flyers won 8-1. That is a touchdown plus a safety for those wanting to stay with football (Zeller playing strong, not gonna let the Heels lose this one. Good leadership there).
So after that embarrassing performance, we sit at 8-8 with a game tomorrow night against Montreal. We just cannot seem to play really well two games in a row. There are bright spots though. Jeff Skinner has been one of the best stories in the league this year. He is the youngest player in the entire NHL, and is leading all rookies in scoring by almost double. The former figure skater has been sensational. Sure, he makes errors, but he is 18. You know, like born in the 90′s. His skating is effortless and he is tied for points with captain Eric Staal for the team lead.
Speaking of Staal, he has not disappointed, although I want him to start scoring more goals. But you can tell he is embracing being captain, and should prove to be a great captain for years to come.
Cole and Samsanov are both enjoying decent seasons after awful campaigns last year. There are plenty of bright spots, to be sure.
Here is what I think we have to work on, with 66 games left (plenty of time, clearly).
- Defense – it continues to be shaky in front of Cam Ward. They make great plays, but too often give up easy goals, shots in dangerous places, and just have mental lapses
- Consistency – everyone has off nights, but we are so young that we really need all four lines contributing, and we need the “veterans” to lead the way
- Keep shooting the puck, and keep building speed through the middle of the ice. Speed is our game, we have to use it.
Tomorrow night we play Montreal, and we have to bounce back from an awful performance.
Peace
Paul
* With 1:25 left in the game, the Heels are up 10, and, barring a miracle will win their first test. Barnes has 14 points, but for me, Marshall, another Mickey D’s all-american, has been great! The pass first, and maybe think about shooting later has shown poise, speed, and scoring touch as well.
