Carolina Hurricanes heat up as the temp drops. What’s behind the Canes’ resurgence?
With the Carolina Hurricanes winning four straight games and Sebastian Aho collecting points in bunches, that conversation now seems eons ago.
It was held after one of the low points of the season, after a home-ice loss Nov. 15 to the Philadelphia Flyers that had Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour talking about possibly “shaking up things” and captain Jordan Staal saying the team was “ho-humming” its way through some games.
Yes, that loss.
The Canes were a middling 9-7-0 at the time.
After a practice at Invisalign Arena, Aho was discussing the state of the team. He had just played more than 23 minutes against the Flyers, four of those on the power play, and did not have a point — did not even have a shot on goal in a 3-1 loss.
Aho, who had signed an eight-year, $78 million contract extension in July, was asked in an N&O interview if he was feeling the pressure to perform, to produce more points and more offense on a team that needed it.
“No, my expectations are higher than everyone’s,” Aho said. “I know when I can be happy about my game. (The contract) actually was a relief so I didn’t have to go through this year answering all the questions about it.
“But, no, I expect myself to be a better player every day and try to improve my game,” Aho continued. “Obviously, scoring goals, scoring points, don’t get me wrong, it feels great and every player wants to get as many as possible. But we’ve seen the real stuff. That’s that stuff that really drives me and this group.”
For Aho, the “real stuff” is the Stanley Cup playoffs. That’s what drives him. The Canes want to win another Stanley Cup.
“So personal points and all that stuff, I’m not saying they’re not important, but that’s the ultimate goal,” he said.
And look at them now. After the four straight wins to start the new calendar year, the Hurricanes (21-13-4) are pushing the New York Rangers, the Metro Division leaders, pulling two points closer to the Rangers with a 6-1 thrashing Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.
And Aho? Talk about a heater. The center recently was named the NHL’s first star of the week after slapping up 11 points in three games, and followed with a point in the win over the Rangers on a slick power-play pass to Andrei Svechnkov for a goal.
Aho and Svechnikov have combined for 23 points in the past five games. Aho has 21 points in his last 11 games.
“They’ve been our best players and just been on fire,” defenseman Brady Skjei said.
After that loss to the Flyers on Nov. 15 at PNC Arena, the Canes went 5-1-1. But there was the four-game losing streak on the road in Western Canada that had the Canes holding a players-only meeting.
They’re 7-1-3 since that venting as they face the Washington Capitals on Friday in their 23rd road game of the season. The power play is humming along, the penalty kill strong.
The Canes put in a spirited practice Thursday at Invisalign Arena before the flight to Washington. One downside: Forward Martin Necas was shaken up after a collision in a corner and left practice early.
After the Caps games, the Canes will play six straight at home and 11 of the next 12 at PNC Arena.
“We’ve got to keep plugging along and see where we’re at at the end of the year,” Brind’Amour said after beating the Rangers.
