Who Are These Guys?

Here we are, 9 points out with 10 games left to play. The Carolina Hurricanes are inching closer and closer to playoff exclusion with each passing day. After looking strong on their recent road trip, hopeful fans felt a glimmer that maybe the words "mathematically possible" were not too daunting - maybe the Canes would make the playoffs after all.  The team seemed to be finding its groove, responding to Coach Muller's exhortations, and taking each game seriously.  Then there was last night...

Who are these guys? The New York Islanders jumped onto the ice ready to compete. The Hurricanes - not so much. After blasting Cam Ward out of the net with 3 quick goals, the Islanders went up 4-0 in the first period. They had fired 10 shots before the Canes registered 1, forcing Ward to watch from the bench and Khudobin to try and stop the bleeding.


Period one ended with Carolina cutting the lead in half, 4-2.  Shot totals had evened a bit at 14-9. Visions of a 15-0 Islanders win were thankfully dissolved.  A more typical hockey game ensued in the 2nd period, with the Canes getting 2 more goals, and the Isles notching 1 more. Period 3 was hard fought defensively and the Canes eventually lose 5-4.  The final shot total was 32-28 in favor of New York. All in all, not a bad game if the Hurricanes could ignore the first 10 minutes. But they can't.

So who are these guys? Showing up for a few games, and being horribly down the next, makes it impossible to know which the is the real Carolina Hurricanes team. Even Coach Muller lamented, "It's a mystery why we come out so hesitant and afraid to play in the first period." If the head coach can't explain it, how are the fans going to be able to have any confidence in the team?  Jay Harrison said, "We clearly weren't ready to go...this can't be tolerated." I agree, Jay. Most if not all Hurricanes fans agree, too. This can't be tolerated. But what is the answer?

Cam Ward getting run after nine shots was horrid. Was it all his fault? Islanders coach Jack Capuano said, "...I don't think he (Ward) could have done anything." While the spotlight was on Cam, clearly the puck had to get through his teammates before getting past him. To be candid, defensively the Canes flat out stunk. Period.

Next up for Carolina is the Florida Panthers tomorrow night. Let's hope that the team shows up and plays hard from the opening puck-drop. Time is running out, as are the mathematical possibilities. Whatever the ingredient is that is missing from the fortitude of this team, not finding it could lead to more that JR stepping aside as general manager. It could lead to a very real scenario where we are literally asking, "Who are these guys" as the current team winds up torn down and rebuilding begins from scratch. I for one don't necessarily agree that a wholesale makeover is what the Canes need, but something is just not right.