Mailbag #8: Going Through It

RALEIGH, NC. -Happy Friday, Caniacs.
Last night was frustrating, no two ways about it. For the first time this season the team is hitting a bit of a rough patch. That's okay though, these things are going to happen. Let's talk about it.

What did the Canes do to annoy the hockey gods? Was it the win streak? Did someone drink Jobu's rum? - @FuzzyFurr
First things first, I had to look up what in the world Jobu's rum is to make sure I could even touch this question. Looks harmless enough. Major League, got it. We'll proceed.
As is the case with all things in life, you've got to take the good with the bad, right? Rod Brind'Amour has pointed out a couple times lately that earlier in the year everything was going the team's way. They were getting bounces and it was all snowballing in the right direction.
One goal that comes to mind for me was Andrei Svechnikov's marker against Chicago. He was just trying to throw the puck toward the front of the net from the corner, it hits the back of a Chicago defender and goes in. That's just the way things were going. Now? The exact opposite. Within the last two weeks the Canes have been on the other end, having a goal go off the back of Tony DeAngelo and in, and then last night two times having players accidentally nudge a puck into their own net.'

I see it, you see it, they feel it, they're going through a rough patch right now.
The only solace I can provide right now is that there's no way this can last forever. I know it didn't cure all frustrations but at least they got on the board in the third. Yes, it was almost a tease, but it was some life. Especially for the power play. The power play isn't going to go 1-for-21 repeatedly. The team isn't going to only earn three goals on 89 shots often. A lot of coaches (and players) will say that hockey is a game of bounces. They just aren't going the Canes way right now. But it won't be that way for much longer.
Key guys are] out. I'm holding off on freaking out until everyone is back. Just gotta hang in there a little longer. [@Timberguy871
Refreshing take given the current climate, Nathan. Thanks for this.
Perhaps I'm too much of an optimist, blame it on me not being here during some of the more difficult times for this franchise - but I'm with you.
Similar to what I was referencing above in terms of getting the bounces, it's very possible some start to kick the Canes way Saturday, whether any of the three recent absences (Ethan Bear, DeAngelo, Brett Pesce) are back in the lineup. I'll go into more in just a second, but Jalen Chatfield and Max Lajoie have actually been more than fine.
I think we all saw given how this team played during the first month of the season that that is more of the true identity of this team, not the way the last two weeks have gone. As Antti Raanta said last night, "it's not like we're playing bad, bad hockey". Bad hockey teams don't put up 49 shots on goal. Especially two nights after putting up 40.
Can we talk about how much the defenders we lost to COVID-19 play a role in setting up the offense? Huge blow to this team right now. - @WxCane
Good observations, Ryan. There's two points regarding this that I want to make.
As I just typed out above, Chatfield and Lajoie have provided that they are capable through their first two games. Now, have they provided the same production stats as those who they are filling in for? No, but that's a little unfair to expect. They were thrown in with little heads up and both have had to play minutes. For those who are interested in the analytics side of things, the two have actually been

in both games, using data from Cole Palmer (

) and
Natural Stat Trick
, as well as Dom Luszczyszyn's GameScore Formula.
But back to your question, how many of us thought that the impact provided by Ethan Bear and Tony DeAngelo would be missed this much? Both have been outstanding for the team and they are definitely missed when they're not in the lineup. Brett Pesce, of course, is too, but Canes have become accustomed to what he brings to the table night in and night out. We discussed last week just how incredible DeAngelo's production has been offensively and Bear's ability to move the puck is very, very strong. I think we can all agree it will be welcomed when they are able to get back in.
Do you think anyone ever in existence will figure out what determines goaltender interference? - @ThesecretFinn
I think all anybody wants is a clear black-and-white answer. I know not everything can be that way, but it would be nice. We've had quite the string of run-ins with them lately, huh?
Interesting one Friday in Philadelphia and then last night too. But, as I said earlier, bounces. Just not going the team's way right now.
This is us right now, we will get through it. - @jonherring87
I have absolutely no clue what movie the attached clip is from, but you're right. Things won't be this way for the team for forever.
-
Thanks to everyone for another great week of questions. Hang in there, it'll get better.
See you tomorrow night at PNC Arena!
Not a member of Twitter? We're always happy to take questions at [email protected] as well!
Canes Mailbags are powered by Segra.