At the 54-game point of the season, Carolina team is still
struggling for both consistency and to establish an identity. Much of the season thus far as consisted of a
struggling offense, weak defense, and goaltending that is just not living up to
its billing.
Other that a 8 game unbeaten stretch earlier in the season,
the team has struggled to maintain an above .500 winning record. The only bright spot has been the PP as it has
performed all year at a top-5 percentage all year.
Now for the negatives, starting in net, Varlamov has been extremely
inconsistent. One game he will play like
an all-star with a .950 SA, then the next night will not be able to stop a
beachball. The result is an overall SA
of a paltry .889. Backup goalie, Svedberg,
has been solid when given the chance with an overall SA of .920.
The top two lines have been juggled all season in an attempt
to find a winning formula. The result is
that all six members of the top two lines currently are the top 6 point
producers on the team, lead by budding 21 year-old Vilardi. Rookie Adam Masherin has been a bright spot on
the third line with 28 points.
On the backend, no one player stands out and it has been played
by committee. Which has worked keeping
the team in the top ten of the league in SA. Offense from the blue line has not
come as easily this year as the last.
The team currently holds onto the final playoff spot in their
conference, but not comfortably whatsoever.
8/10/2021 - 246 words
