In the "Ward" Zone

Cam Ward in the pipes. His turn after Khudobin's multi-game run. His chance to re-establish himself against the best team in hockey. Not quite. The Carolina Hurricanes stretched their winning streak to -5, and Ward stretched his return into an ugly 5 goal rout by the Ducks. Allowing 3 goals on the Ducks' first 12 shots was not the way Cam wanted to get out of the gate. It was ugly. It was fast. It was Western Conference hockey at its current best, and it was Carolina Hurricanes hockey at its current normal.

Coach Kirk Muller said that they considered taking Ward out after the 3rd Ducks goal, but decided to "let him play through it." He also acknowledged that it is tough for Cam to find his rhythm when "the other guy's been playing so well." Anton Khudobin has been getting the lion's share of starts, which does put Ward at a disadvantage as far as trying to find the "it" that is currently missing from his game.  Canes TV play-by-play voice John Forslund summed it up pretty well this morning on 620AM with his analysis that Ward's physical or mental sharpness has not been right all year. Whatever "it" is, will likely only be recovered for Cam through more consistent action in-goal.

This is in no way an indictment on Cam Ward for last night's loss. It was a team effort, one that is still desperately trying to find a way to produce early (any) offense that will infuse confidence. The team has not scored a power play goal in 9 games. That will not produce playoff contending results. One glance at the Ducks' offense, as compared to the Hurricanes power play and the difference is obvious. Hockey's current top team is set up, passing sharply, shooting at every opportunity. The Canes power play by comparison is chaotic, not organized, and sloppy. Witness the too-many-men on the ice penalty they incurred during a power play in the 2nd.

One more road game in this lengthy West Coast trip for the Hurricanes tomorrow night versus San Jose. Let's hope for a better result.