After a scorching hot 5-0 start to the season, the Carolina Hurricanes have struggled to keep up the momentum, most recently in a 2-1 loss to the Boston Bruins. Going 2-4 in their last six games, the Canes have been unable to capitalize on their hot start.
In their first match of a two-game road series, the Hurricanes (7-4) were expected to compete with a Bruins (7-7) team that had staggered to open the season. Instead, the Canes faltered, opening the door for Boston to make a statement win against a top-tier team.
The loss drops Carolina’s away record to 4-3, an area they struggled with last season and hoped to change. It was still a fair performance from the Canes offense as they outshot and won more faceoffs than the Bruins, but failing to execute on passes and stick moves led to too many — four more than the Bruins — and continued to leave scoring opportunities right at the net.
From early on, it was clear that it would be an offensive stalemate as neither team could tally on the scoreboard through the first two periods. Bruins forward Casey Mittelstadt drew first blood within the first two minutes of the third period. A second Boston goal from right winger Viktor Arvidsson put the Hurricanes into scramble mode, forcing them to pour everything into the offensive end.
Unfortunately for Carolina, Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman was on point, allowing just one goal — a shot from defenseman Alexander Nikishin towards the tail end of the third period — and was a brick wall for the entire match.
The Hurricanes’ hot start has been all but squandered, due to both injuries and poor offensive execution. Too many passes and unnecessary stick moves got away from the Hurricanes, turning into costly turnovers and losing any semblance of momentum. Star forwards Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis had a tough time against the Bruins’ defense, unable to bail the Hurricanes out of the tough situation as they’ve done in past games.
Aho couldn’t find the back of the net, getting as close as the crossbar but couldn’t put it in, missing all three of his shots. For someone who has been marked as the de facto leader for multiple years, he has to be more involved when the Hurricanes are in losing situations, but he was nowhere to be found.
The Canes continued their struggle with converting on power plays as they couldn’t capitalize after a holding penalty against Jesperi Kotkaniemi early in the first period. The Hurricanes’ special teams couldn’t spot holes in the Bruins’ defense, and couldn’t figure out Swayman until it was too late. An early power play conversion would have set the tone for the Hurricanes, preventing the Bruins from gaining any momentum going into the crucial third period.
The Hurricanes have much to work on after the loss, and look to get back into the win column against the New York Rangers inside Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
