With 12 games remaining in the Canes season the team is
still playing very mediocre hockey after such a solid first quarter of the
year.
The team is currently on a 3-game losing streak and is 4-6
in their last 10 games played. All this
after getting a bump in play when Trouba and Denisenko returned to the lineup from
long-term injuries.
With this inconsistent level of play, along with the highly
competitive Eastern Division standings, the Canes are barely holding onto the
last playoff position in the conference.
A total of 6 players have between 69 and 73 points with only 3 playoff
spots available for these teams. With the Canes having 72 points they find
themselves right in the middle of the fight. The season hinges on this final stretch
run and considering the teams first half of the season’s strong play missing
the playoffs would be considered a disaster.
There is both good and bad news on the endorsement front,
with the team’s 16th
home win they satisfied one of their two
endorsement deals for the year. The
other deal is for Karlson to reach at least 70 points, he is currently on pace
to reach 66 pts, he will have to finish very strong in order to hit this mark.
Word out of the team coaching staff is that the top two
lines will be juggled in an attempt to re-trigger the team offense and break
out of this slump.
The team bright spot continues to be the return to his youth
of Ovi who continues to lead the team in goal scoring and tied for the lead in
points.
6/8/2022 - 252 words
