24-22-7: At Least We Got Two Goals, Right?

The Rangers pulled out one of their classic scripts on Monday night - get a lead, get a penalty, fall apart - as they fell to Pittsburgh 4-2 at the Garden. It always hurts losing to Cindy and company but the Blueshirts manage to do it in spectacular fashion time after time after time. Luckily this one wasn't on a hat trick like the last two matchups, although Chris Conner (who?) came quite close. But yet again a Ranger rally is subverted by their own stupidity and incompetence.

New York opened with a dreadful effort through the first period but escaped the frame only trailing 1-0. They battled back with two goals to take the lead but a terrible Marian Gaborik penalty opened the door for the Penguins and they waddled through. Two quick goals later, the Rangers were back behind the eight ball and rolled over. After the match Mr. X from the Blue Seats pulled out one of his favourite sayings, "they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory yet again."

Notes (I have to come up with a better gimmick than just 'Notes' - that's boring - how about My True Blue Views? Spilled Beer? Ice Chips? Feel free to chime in in the comments):

*Do you think John Tortorella plays 'duck, duck, goose' to come up with his line pairings? Just a thought.

*When your team is struggling to put together wins, you want them to play simple, straight-forward hockey. In the third period Brandon Dubinsky made a blind drop pass to no one that started a Pittsburgh rush. He looked to the sky upset and seemingly in shock but that is what he gets for being cute. Too often the so-called talented players are being too cute with the puck.

*It must be noted that Torts gave the Rangers Sunday off without practice while the Penguins played and won a tough 2-1 game against the Flyers. And yet the Rangers were the ones who looked tired, slow and sloppy on the ice ...

*In trying to think of good things coming out of this loss, I came up with two: the Rangers scored two more goals than they did in their last two games and I never have to wear that damned Rozsival jersey ever again. What happened to the player who was so good late in that Blues game? Does he have to get hammered by a big check to wake up for a little while? If that is the case, I know several people more than willing to hit him ...

*Hank shouldn't have let the go-ahead goal in but, let's face it, he was under siege all night. The guy has to feel like the folks in the Alamo at this point. He is surrounded and alone, taking shot after shot after shot. It used to be that a 2.32 gaa was pretty damned good but on these Rangers, it is about 2.32 too high.

*Marc-Andre Fleury had missed the last five games with a finger injury, so you would think the Rangers would want to crash his net and make it difficult for him to get any rhythm in his return. You would think that, right? Apparently the Rangers didn't.

*Hey, Fleury made that one glove save look awfully impressive, didn't he? Classic Ricky Henderson over-embellishment and now we will be stuck with seeing that damned 'highlight' in Versus melts for months to come. (Thanks to Sergeant Bob for the ballplayer comparison.)

*Speaking of 'highlights,' Donald Brashear had a board-rattling hit. Of course, it was meaningless and certainly did nothing to erase the gaffe that led to the first goal against but, hey, he got some applause (not from me). When your team is struggling to score goals, well, you want to add Brashear to the lineup instead of Erik Christensen, the guy who put up points when Prospal went out. That's smart coaching, right? Eric Godard, by the way, played less than a minute, Brash played more than five and yet Godard got a shot on net, Brash did not. So much for adding offense.

*Prospal, by the way, has been virtually useless since returning from said injury. Maybe he rushed back too fast, maybe the Olympic break will help him get his game in order, who knows? Whatever it is, he is a shadow of the player he was before he went down and this team needs him to be a top line talent.

*It is hard to say that Chris Drury is the shadow of a player he was at any time during his Ranger career as he was never particularly good but he has been outright terrible of late and Torts rewarded him with a ton of ice time and point on the power play. He can't win a big faceoff if his life depended on it right now and I just hope that some kind of mysterious 'injury' pops up so he has to beg off from Team USA so he doesn't embarrass himself (and the team) on an international level. As I've said before, he will go down as the worst captain in Ranger history.

*Almost six minutes straight of power play time and the Rangers managed what, three shots? Is Perry Pearn still on the payroll? It was tough watching them struggle to get over the blueline and then panic with the puck once they did but they didn't allow any shorthanded goals so at least they had that going for them.

*Just as I asked anyone listening in Section 329 if they thought that Torts threw Anisimov on the first line as a F-you to Larry Brooks, Arty scored. I think that, and his second goal on the jam-in, were the ultimate F-you to Brooksie. But now it will take several more performances like tonight to truly prove Brooks (and I) wrong that Arty needs time in Hartford.

*Torts made a colossal mistake taking Avery away from Boyle and Voros and sliding him alongside Dru and Cally. Not even Avery could spark the two slumping Olympic-bound players and, in taking him away, Torts broke up a solid unit that was the Blueshirts best of late. The thought has to be that Sean would get more and better chances with more and better linemates but, let's face it, Boyle and Voros have been playing at a higher level of hockey than Dru and Cally the last three games (but I must admit that Cally's defensive play to stop the third period shorty breakaway was pretty great).

*Speaking of slumps, it is quite sad when Enver Lisin is getting better scoring opportunities than Marian Gaborik. Sure Lisin isn't covered as tightly, but since when has that been a problem for Gabby?

*For those of you calling foul time and time again when Avery got bumped, punched, slashed, whatever throughout the game, did you really think that the officiating would do him any favours on a national broadcast against darling Cindy? Really?

*Loved seeing Cindy skating down the ice in the third period with his arm around the ref's waist begging for a call. Some things never change; water's wet, the sky is blue and Cindy is a crybaby.

*I don't know if anyone else did but I booed Dan Girardi every time he touched the puck in the first period. My point was made, and he admittedly got better as the night went on. He can be so solid and so important to this team but to see him stand by when teammates are getting creamed can not be tolerated and can not be forgotten.

*Marc Staal had a small stretch in the game where he was the best player on the ice. He jumped into an attack at the right time, he made a big stop and had back-to-back big checks.

*Chris Higgins keeps on trying; too bad he can't convert that to scoring. But he did do some nice penalty killing work tonight.

*I'm not sure if it is the state of the team of the state of the economy that caused it but the Garden was not close to capacity yet again. It is especially sad when you consider household name Crosby was playing and many people not being able to watch at home as it was exclusively on Versus. And, to boot, many season ticket holders clearly dealt their tickets away to Penguin fans as there was a huge contingent of bandwagon fans in the house.

*PHW Three Stars
3-Sidney Crosby - two assists.
2-Artem Anisimov - two goals.
1-Chris Conner - two goals.

Scotty Hockey Three Stars
3-Pascal Dupuis - Ol' Eyebrows himself was strong on the Pittsburgh penalty kill, started the rush that got the Pens the go-ahead goal and potted an empty netter. It is amazing how well he plays in MSG when he isn't wearing a Ranger jersey.
2-Conner - Who?
1-Sergei Gonchar - I am definitely loathe to give him too much credit but he is among the elite blueliners in the NHL and is everything that Wade Redden and Michal Rozsival are not. Like them he isn't particularly physical but he makes really smart plays with and without the puck.

24-22-7: At Least We Got Two Goals, Right?

The rollercoaster ride of an NHL season is often a blend of exhilarating highs and frustrating lows. For the fans of the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2022-2023 season, it has been no different. In this article, we will dive deep into the Hurricanes' performance during their 24-22-7 season, examining the highlights, challenges, key players, and answering frequently asked questions about the team.

Riding the Season's Highs

The season began with a sense of optimism in Raleigh as the Hurricanes aimed to build on their previous successes. The team boasted a talented roster, a passionate fan base, and a hunger to make a deep playoff run. In the early weeks of the season, the Hurricanes showcased their offensive prowess, scoring goals at an impressive rate. Players like Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, and Dougie Hamilton were leading the charge, providing highlight-reel goals and dazzling assists.

One of the season's standout moments came when the Hurricanes faced the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning. In a thrilling showdown, the Hurricanes emerged victorious, sending a clear message to the league that they were a force to be reckoned with. The atmosphere at PNC Arena during that game was electric, a testament to the unwavering support of the Hurricanes' faithful.

Navigating the Challenges

While the Hurricanes experienced many highs during the season, they were not without their fair share of challenges. Injuries to key players, including goaltender Frederik Andersen and captain Jordan Staal, tested the team's depth. The Hurricanes' ability to weather these setbacks was a testament to their resilience.

Another hurdle the team faced was a series of frustrating losses in close games. Whether it was overtime heartbreak or one-goal defeats, these results left fans scratching their heads. It highlighted the fine margins in the NHL and the importance of capitalizing on scoring opportunities.

The Key Players

Sebastian Aho

Sebastian Aho continued to be the Hurricanes' offensive catalyst, consistently among the team's top point producers. His combination of speed, skill, and hockey IQ makes him a dynamic force on the ice. Aho's leadership and ability to come through in clutch moments make him a cornerstone player for the Hurricanes.

Dougie Hamilton

Dougie Hamilton's impact extended beyond just the defensive zone. As one of the league's premier offensive defensemen, Hamilton's ability to contribute both defensively and offensively made him invaluable. His booming shot from the point and ability to quarterback the power play were instrumental to the team's success.

Andrei Svechnikov

Andrei Svechnikov's development continued on an upward trajectory. Known for his incredible puck-handling skills and penchant for scoring highlight-reel lacrosse-style goals, Svechnikov added flair to the Hurricanes' attack. His physicality and ability to create scoring chances made him a fan favorite.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What were the Hurricanes' playoff prospects during this season?

As of the current standings, the Hurricanes are in the playoff picture. However, securing a playoff spot in the competitive NHL is always a challenging task, and the team will need to maintain their performance to ensure postseason hockey.

2. How did the goaltending perform during the season?

Goaltending was a mixed bag during the season due to injuries. Frederik Andersen, when healthy, provided stability in the net. Alex Nedeljkovic stepped up when called upon and showcased his potential.

3. What areas of improvement do the Hurricanes need to focus on?

The Hurricanes need to fine-tune their defensive play and maintain consistency in close games. Capitalizing on scoring chances and improving their special teams, particularly the penalty kill, will also be key.

4. Who are some promising young players in the Hurricanes' system?

The Hurricanes have a pipeline of talented prospects, including Seth Jarvis, Jack Drury, and Xavier Bourgault. These young players represent the team's future and add depth to the organization.

5. What is the fan atmosphere like at PNC Arena?

PNC Arena is known for its passionate Hurricanes' fan base. The "Storm Surge" celebrations after home victories have become iconic and add to the electric atmosphere during games.

In conclusion, the 2022-2023 season for the Carolina Hurricanes has been a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with thrilling victories and frustrating defeats. As the team continues to push for a playoff berth, fans remain hopeful that the Hurricanes will build on their strengths, address their challenges, and embark on a successful postseason journey. After all, in the NHL, anything can happen, and the Hurricanes are determined to make their mark.