The Carolina Hurricanes need a spark, and they’re waiting for center Sebastian Aho to help produce that.
It has been a rough stretch for the Hurricanes going into Sunday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Raleigh, N.C.
Carolina has lost five of its past seven games, including a 3-0 setback to the visiting Ottawa Senators on Friday.
Aho has gone eight games in a row without a goal.
“I’ve got to be better, no question about it,” Aho said. “At the same time, we’ve got to find some chemistry between the linemates, especially the nights you’re not feeling it. Find the ways to create something.”
Aho was Carolina’s leader in goals, assists and points last season. He has provided seven assists during his goal-less stretch.
“It’s not always easy, not always going your way,” Aho said. “I’ve got to be better and our line has got to be better.”
The Blue Jackets suffered a 4-3 overtime loss to the visiting Anaheim Ducks on Saturday night. They have a three-game losing streak with back-to-back defeats in overtime. Columbus needs to get back in rhythm and generate the type of crispness that benefited them earlier in the season.
“Remembering this is what is going to allow us to have success,” Columbus coach Dean Evason said.
Based on Evason’s assessment of the Anaheim game, Dmitri Voronkov, Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko might be together on a line again in Carolina.
Defenseman Zach Werenski leads the Blue Jackets in assists (21) and points (31) and is riding a four-game points streak. It’s more than the point production that has made his impact so big.
“He’s doing so many other little things correctly,” Evason said. “I’m just impressed, period, about his whole makeup. He has been getting accolades, I’m sure, from all over the place, but it doesn’t affect him. He’s the same guy.”
The Hurricanes are 7-5-1 in games when opponents have scored first.
“I think we can be a little heavier in the offensive zone,” Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal said. “We’re a little bit one-and-done, and not really getting on our forechecking.”
Carolina also has been shut out twice this season, with both of those games coming across the past six outings.
“There are times we see it, (but) not consistent enough,” Staal said. “You’ve got to create more and more.”
Despite some offensive doldrums, the Hurricanes have been steady in other areas. They’ve kept opponents to fewer than 25 shots in 15 games.
It’s important for the Hurricanes to stick to their process and not waver because of recent shortcomings. Coach Rod Brind’Amour said he doesn’t want to sacrifice defensive principles.
“You don’t want to start opening things up,” he said.
This will be the second of four scheduled meetings between the teams this season. The Blue Jackets won 5-4 in overtime on Nov. 23 at home. The Hurricanes had 36 shots on goal in that contest, marking their highest total in their past 11 games.
The Hurricanes have lost in three of their past five home games. They’re 11-4-0 for the season at home.
–Field Level Media