While the end of game tends to be what is most evaluated by observers, Carolina Hurricanes is looking for a way to produce better start.
The suddenly inconsistent hurricanes are hosted for Calgary Flames on Sunday at Raleigh, NC
“We always seem (start slowly),” said Carolina coach Rod Brind’amour.
Both teams played Saturday. Carolina lost 3-1 to Edmonton Oilers, while the flames lost a 3-0 decision earlier in the day at Florida Panthers.
The hurricanes were in another early hole.
“Many of our games have recently been slow,” said Carolina Captain Eric Staal. “I would love to see that desperation just outside the bat. It’s hard to get back in this league and I liked our desperation at the end, but it must be the whole game. It must be better all the way.”
The coarse first periods have contributed to the Hurricane image which includes losses in six of their last eight matches.
“You want us to start better, especially with how we have played lately,” Hurricanes said forward Sebastian Aho. “Guys work hard and we always get to our game, but we have to take it from the first shift.”
The flames also have problems and absorb 3-0 closures in the last two matches.
“I just felt we were a slow team,” said Calgary coach Ryan Huska.
Calgary has gone for more than 124 minutes without scoring goals since Jonathan Huberdeau recorded his 22nd goal on the Tuesday evening season in a 3-1 victory in Washington.
“We expect more from ourselves,” Flames said forward Mikael Backlund. “I know we have much more in us.”
The flames have dropped five of their last seven matches (2-4-1). Of their last 11 defeat, they have scored more than two goals in a game only once.
“It’s not a good position to be in,” Backlund said to score. “The only way we get out of it is to play as we can.”
Calgary is 1-2-0 so far on a sex game.
The hurricanes were 1-for-4 on power play against Edmonton. In addition, they allowed the Oilers to score a short -handed goal. It was the third short goal that Carolina handed over this season.
“Three power plays and if you don’t score goals you don’t score, but give up one too, it hurts,” Aho said.
Still, there was a bright place on special teams for the hurricanes. They have scored power-play goals in back-to-back games for the first time since the end of December.
Aho has seven points (five goals, two assists) in the last seven games. He has a team high 58 points (22 goals, 36 assists).
Saturday’s loss for Carolina only marked her second home in regulation since January 4. Defender Shayne Gostisbehere from Hurricanes registered his 400th career assistant.
The hurricanes are expected to go back to Pyotr Kchetkov in goal per normal rotation.
The Hurricanes defeated Flames 4-2 in Calgary when the team met at the end of October. The game -winning goal in that game was credited to Martin Necas, who has since been traded at Colorado Avalanche.
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