Points have been a deficiency for Utah Hockey Club and Carolina Hurricanes in recent weeks.
Solving it will be decisive for both teams when they meet Saturday afternoon in Raleigh, NC
The hurricanes, which will be in their final game before a two-week termination, have dropped three games in a row for the second time this season, so they hope to avoid their first four-game skid for the season.
In Thursday night’s 2-1 loss on Minnesota, the hurricanes had an advantage of 38-24 in shots.
“We really deserved to get something out of it,” said Coach Rod Brind’amour. “That’s the way it has been for us all year.”
Utah, who has a quick turn on Sunday in Washington before it begins the break in the NHL schedule, has won two in a row since a five-game losing line. Both of these positive results were 3-2 decisions in overtime, including Thursday evening at Columbus.
“When you are in these situations more often you become more comfortable and more safe,” Utah said forward Dylan Guenther. “We will be in many of these (close play) that is moving forward.”
Guenther has three goals, including a couple of OT winners, in two matches since returning to action after about a month free due to a lower bodily injury.
Utah has still gone seven consecutive matches without scoring more than two goals in the regulation.
Carolina Rookie forward Jackson Blake said that his team’s latest dip in points is frustrating, but he looks against the Utah game as a chance to remedy some of the questions.
“We have to capitalize myself,” Blake said. “I have to find ways to put it in the net. We have only scored one goal in the last two games. It won’t win you so many hockey games. We just have to find a way.”
Forward Sebastian Aho has scored four goals in the last six matches for Carolina, including Lone Tally in Minnesota.
Since the beginning of January, Carolina has been 2-for-46 on Power gigs.
“Our power play stinks. I’ll just leave it at it,” said Brind’amour. “We have to find a way to score some goals. I don’t know what the answer is. We’ll probably set up good opportunities, we just have to finish.”
Lack of production on special teams has berries on the hurricanes.
“One of the things we just have to call in is our special teams,” said defender Jaccob Slavin. “Our guy did a good job, but power play, we have to wear there and get some goals. Many times, that’s the difference in the game.”
Hurricanes has used various set -up combinations recently, even with 11 forwards in a recent game. Defender Scott Morrow was outside the lineup on Thursday.
Utah is 14-10-3 in road games.
Utah won 4-1 against Carolina at home in mid-November, with Nick Bjugstad who scored two goals. The hurricanes got a goal from Martin Necas, who is now playing for Colorado Avalanche.
Bjugstad has five goals this season, but only one in the last 19 matches.
-Field level media
