The Carolina Hurricanes Can’t Stop Winning in December
December is typically a cold month, but the Carolina Hurricanes are red-hot.
When the month began, the top spot in the Metropolitan Division was well within the control of the New Jersey Devils, while the Canes lingered several points behind. Now, the Hurricanes have a six-point advantage over the second-place Devils.
It’s been a month to remember for sure, and it came at the perfect time for the Hurricanes. November saw them struggle through a 2-4-4 stretch. Yes, they were picking up points, but they were not winning hockey games.
Carolina turned things around with wins in their final two games of November, and that kick-started a December that has seen them do almost nothing but win games.
The Hurricanes are the hottest team in the NHL.
An overtime loss against the Anaheim Ducks on December 6 is the only blemish on an otherwise perfect month. With nine straight wins on their resume, the Canes have won 11 games in total this month.
Those wins haven’t come against bad teams either. They’ve taken down another hot Metro team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, twice, and they’ve defeated the Devils and Dallas Stars, both teams that are or were leading their divisions.
During their current nine-game winning streak, the Hurricanes have outscored their opponents 32-17. A lot of games have been of the one-goal variety, but great teams find a way to win those games, and that’s exactly what the Canes have been able to do.
In total, Carolina has won 13 of its last 14 games and is on a 15-game point streak that began on November 25. The team has one more game in December before it can claim a full month of earning at least one point in every game.
Rod Brind’Amour’s team has been getting contributions from all of its players throughout this streak and all season long. Captain Jordan Staal has been especially hot as of late with eight points (three goals and five assists) in his last five games.
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The Hurricanes will host the Florida Panthers to end 2022 and will be tested immediately in 2023 with six of their first seven games coming against Metro opponents. I have a feeling the Canes will be up for the test.