Thoughts From My Couch

It was a December to remember for the Carolina Hurricanes. History was rewritten in many different ways as the team put together one of the most remarkable months ever. For many, November was a low point for the team after going on a five-game losing streak and not getting the results we're accustomed to seeing from them under Rod Brind'Amour. In December, this fanbase wouldn't have to worry about losing much. The most impressive part of these streaks was that they did it largely without Sebastian Aho in the lineup with an injury that forced him out for seven games. The end result was a month full of winning and fun for everyone involved and emotionally invested. Here's a look back at December for the Hurricanes.  The Month in Review Through Headlines 12/1 at St. Louis- "It's a Marty Party"- Martinook notches his second-career hat trick, including two goals in the third period, and Kochetkov earns the win in relief in a 6-4 victory over the Blues. 12/3 at ...

The Hurricanes head into their final contest of 2022 trying to add to their division lead, extend their winning streak and close out what has been an excellent calendar year for the team. In 87 regular-season games this year, the Canes have 55 wins and 123 points. They've won their last nine games and with a win tonight, they'd set a new franchise record with their tenth-straight victory to add to their growing point streak. They returned from their holiday break with a convincing victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. The Canes took it to Chicago early with Martin Necas and Jesper Fast scoring in the first half of the first period and with Jordan Martinook adding to the lead in the third period, the team rode a 24-save shutout from Antti Raanta to win their ninth in a row as their lead in the division grew to six points. Standing in their way of history tonight is the Florida Panthers. Though they have struggled at times this season, they always seem to find a new gear against t...

As we enter the final week of 2022, the Hurricanes look to complete what has been an excellent December. To this point, the Hurricanes have only dropped one point in 11 games and they made franchise history on Friday night before their break for Christmas. They took an exciting route to get there but the team beat the Flyers 6-5 at PNC Arena to earn points in their 14th-straight game to set a new benchmark for the franchise. Six different Hurricanes scored and the Staal line combined for eight points as the team held on despite leading 6-2 entering the third period. Antti Raanta earned his third win in a row to complete the back-to-back after the team beat Pittsburgh in overtime the night before. Sebastian Aho returned to the lineup after a seven-game absence and Brady Skjei drew back in after missing the Pittsburgh game. Though they set one new mark on Friday night, they still are chasing history in their final two games of 2022. With eight wins in a row coming into tonight's game...

There is a lot on the line tonight, yet there is nothing on the line at the same time. After a thrilling victory in overtime last night over the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Hurricanes have tied the franchise record with points in 13 straight games. No team in franchise history has made it to 14 straight. The 2016-17 team lost 3-0 to the Dallas Stars in their chance at 14. The 2020-21 team lost 3-1 to the Nashville Predators in their attempt. This team has already eclipsed those teams in one respect. Their win last night made them 11-0-2 during this historic stretch, which is more points (24) than the other two runs (22). The Canes really had to gut out their win over the Penguins. They fell behind late in the first period but responded 15 seconds after Pittsburgh scored with goals from Martin Necas and Jalen Chatfield in 17 seconds to take a 2-1 lead. That lead would last for most of the second period before Pittsburgh scored while short-handed late in the period to tie it. Though the Pen...

The Canes are on the verge of tying history as they aim to extend their point streak to 13 straight games. It's been done twice in franchise history, by the 2016-17 team (9-0-4) and the 2020-21 Central Division team (9-0-4). This team has been on a roll for almost the last month. They're 10-0-2 in their last 12 games and have won six in a row as they leapfrogged the New Jersey Devils by beating them 4-1 on Tuesday night to complete a perfect four-game homestand. Jesperi Kotkaniemi got the ball rolling 20 seconds into the game but the Devils were the better team for most of the night. Fortunately for the Canes, Pyotr Kochetkov was playing like Superman. With goals in the second period by Jordan Staal and Teuvo Teravainen, a dagger from Stefan Noesen in the third period, and 37 saves from Pyotr Kochetkov, the Canes emerged victorious. The Canes now sit atop the Metropolitan Division, two points clear of the Devils and four points ahead of tonight's opponent. It doesn't me...

Coming off what might have been their biggest win of the season, the Canes are back at it with their eyes on the top of the division. With points in their last 11 games and wins in their last five, the Canes have gotten hot at the absolute right time. They've followed up a near-perfect road trip with an equally as impressive homestand with six of a possible six points in their pocket. They've beaten three playoff teams by one goal each in three different ways. The Seattle game was pure domination that was only kept in check by an excellent goaltending performance by Philipp Grubauer. They found a way to outscore one of the best offensive teams with a 5-4 overtime victory over Dallas. On Sunday night, the Canes dug in and came from behind in the third period to earn a tough win on the back half of a back-to-back. Down 2-1 in the third, Brady Skjei and Jordan Staal scored roughly five minutes apart to put the Canes ahead and the defense did the rest in a 3-2 division victory over...

Two of the hottest teams in the Metropolitan Division are on a collision course tonight in Raleigh. It's a quick turnaround for the Canes after an emotional and hard-fought 5-4 overtime victory last night over the Dallas Stars. Antti Raanta made his return to the lineup and despite allowing four goals, I didn't think he played terribly. The power play scored twice in the first two periods and moved the puck very well. Five different Hurricanes scored a goal on Scott Wedgewood and four players finished with multi-point nights. The atmosphere inside of PNC Arena was amazing for over 60 minutes and helped will the team to victory. The win gives the Canes four in a row with points in each of their last ten games. The team has returned from the road and put together two very solid performances. This is going to be a huge test, especially with how tight the last meeting was. It'll be a dogfight and I'm very interested to see if the team looks tired at the beginning of the gam...

The momentum seems to be moving in the Canes' direction in December. They've been playing some phenomenal hockey. The Canes have points in their last nine games, have won seven of their last eight, and are on a three-game win streak with arguably their best player in the lineup. After picking up 11 of a possible 12 points on the road, the team returned to PNC Arena for their first home game in almost three weeks and while the scoreboard only read 3-2, the Canes truly dominated the Seattle Kraken for the majority of the game. Andrei Svechnikov's 16th goal and Derek Stepan's first of the season staked the Canes to a 2-0 lead after the first period, Stefan Noesen added a goal on a penalty shot early in the second, and the Canes looked to be cruising. Seattle broke through to break Pyotr Kochetkov's shutout streak at just over 150 minutes and would score a leaky goal in the third period, but it wouldn't be enough as the Canes held on. Kochetkov wrote himself into th...