Back to the Future

Well whaddya know. The Carolina Hurricanes actually look like a playoff-caliber hockey team. After a disappointing shoot-out loss Monday night to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Canes squared off against a very strong Pittsburgh Penguin team, which was a win away from securing the Metropolitan Division crown. No way the Carolina would beat the Pens in Pittsburgh, right? Not so fast. The Canes left the Steel City with a 4-1 win, having turned in a very solid performance against one of hockey's big boys.

Carolina came out flat as has been their norm for weeks. But instead of mailing it in after Chris Kunitz' goal in the first, they tied it up on a Justin Faulk goal a few minutes later. The Canes were playing much better and appeared more focused than they were at the beginning of the game.

The 2nd period belonged to the young guns; one could argue the future of this franchise. With two assists by Jeff Skinner, Elias Lindholm drilled in two goals and put the Canes up 3-1. Skinner was playing unusually well front to back all game. It is easy to love Jeff

Skinner, and even easier to get frustrated with him. When he shines like he can and did last night, his subpar play at times is hard to tolerate. Jeff Skinner is definitely past of the future success of the Carolina Hurricanes - if he can be coached to play with heart every night.

Elias Lindholm is a freakishly good talent. Yes, he is young. But I am convinced that alongside Nash and Skinner, Lindholm can be a part of the Canes' future as much as Skinner. His on-ice flashes of footwork and ability to go top-shelf with ease make him a real threat to score. As with Skinner, can he be coached up to the full development of his talent as he matures? Will he be with Carolina long-term? If so, I think the Hurricanes have a solid block on which to build.

Anton Khudobin was excellent in goal, stopping 30 of 31 shots and notching his 17th win. He definitely has to be included in conversations about the Canes' future. Cam Ward is by no means, "old," but Khudobin is proving himself to be a solid force in-goal. He stopped 11 in the 3rd period when the Penguins were really getting after it.

Jay Harrison is a keeper, in my opinion. Canes fans have to love his grit. He hit Sid the Kid a bit too hard and they were on. Crosby had him pinned but Jay was not rolling over for the Penguins' captain. If the refs hadn't come when they did, Harrison would have landed some serious blows to #87. Harrison is showing real heart for this team, and is not afraid to scrap it up.  He could be another important piece of the future.

So while it looks like there will be no playoffs for this year's edition of the Carolina Hurricanes, the play of late by the younger members of the team could be the boost they need for the future. If true to form, however, the front office can make moves that upset the potential playoff apple cart for next year. So we will watch, wait, and hope that good things are ahead for the Canes.