CarolinaHurricanes.com
In addition to signaling the start of a new NHL season in the Triangle, it offered an opportunity for redemption and closure from a crushing loss to the Lightning back in April.
However, that is not how the game played out.
With all the work that the team has put in during training camp to revamp its defense and offensive set-up, coming up way short in a 5-1 loss was not part of the plan.
Last season's Calder Trophy winner, Jeff Skinner provided the lone bright spot for the Hurricanes as his goal in the first period was the only time that 18,680 Caniacs would really be able to cheer.
X's & O's - #CanesWhiteboard
The team played the first period exactly to plan and you could see it as drawn out on the #CanesWhiteboard:
1) The team was executing its Quick-touch Breakout well:
2) Cycle-low Offense generated 18 shots in the first period of play:
Trouble maintaining consistency
After one period of play, the Hurricanes led 1-0 and the air was electric with optimism as the team's 18 shots on goal had many expecting to see more goals in the coming periods.
But then the Lightning struck and took advantage of the 'little' thing that the Hurricanes have been apt to to lose focus on consistently - not scoring on rebound opportunities on the offense and not covering the trailing forward that picks up the rebound after goalie Cam Ward makes the initial save on the defense.
That is how the Lightning tied the game 1-1 as Ward was surrounded by Tampa Bay snipers Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos who left Ward sprawling as the puck bulged the twine.
The remainder of the game was comprised of choppy play peppered with man-down and power play situations that provided ample opportunities to score, but to no avail.
Finishing 0-5 on the power play will not lead to a successful outcome in most games.
Looking ahead
In order for the team to truly make strides towards improving in 2011-2012, it will be critical for the team to continue its work on quick puck movement and non-stop skating.
Both of these areas have shown to be effective, but have not been consistently executed for three full periods.
Secondly, and most importantly, this team must learn how to collect rebounds on both even-strength and power play situations to score goals.
If anything, believe it or not, this is the team's biggest problem and weakness, and has been for quite a while.
Raleigh Sports Examiner recent news:
Carolina Hurricanes rookie Faulk makes NHL debut during tough 5-1 loss
Carolina
Hurricanes rookie defenseman Justin Faulk stepped onto the ice at the
RBC Center in front of a sold out crowd of 18,680 people and made his
National Hockey League (NHL) debut against the Tampa Bay Lightning on
Friday...
