Hurricanes Falling Into Tropical Depression

One of the biggest questions surrounding the Carolina Hurricanes this season has been whether the team would be able to maintain its winning ways despite its scoring woes. Heading into the stretch drive to the playoffs, however, the Hurricanes could not be playing much worse.

It was thought when forward Johan Franzen returned from injury that the Hurricanes offense would better complement the sterling defense and goaltending that the Hurricanes had seen all season. Franzen did score the Hurricanes last goal. However, that was three games ago.

"I'm not going to play 'Captain Obvious' and tell you that we need to play better," head coach Lindy Ruff said after Saturday's loss. "We suck right now."

"Whaaaat haaaaappened?" Nick Kypreos breathily heaved Monday on Sportsnet's Hockey Central lunchtime show.

"Wow. It must be bad if 'Doom and Gloom' actually talked about our team on their show," general manager Kevin Lacy said, referring to Kypreos and host Daren Millard. "God forbid those guys ever talk about anyone who is actually playing well."

In what seemingly should have been the easiest stretch of competition this season, the Hurricanes lost three consecutive games to the Detroit Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets, and New York Rangers -- all of which are merely biding their time toward the McJesus/Eichel sweepstakes. The most recent effort saw the Hurricanes get shut out by their division rival, the Washington Capitals. It was the fifth time the Hurricanes went scoreless in their last 12 games.

Rarely short for words, Lacy was asked if moves would be made in lieu of Saturday's trade deadline in order to spark the team. "We already made some moves earlier in the season."

"The funny thing is, we're probably where most people thought we would be in the standings now anyway. It's just the way we've reached this point has got to be frustrating for our fans, considering our start."

The Hurricanes have seen themselves fall from being atop the Lemieux Conference standings to being in 8th place in just one month. On the brighter side for the Canes, they have a six point lead on the 9th-place Florida Panthers and expect forward Carl Hagelin to return to the lineup tomorrow night against the league-leading Calgary Flames.

With the Charlotte Checkers, the Canes AHL affiliate, continuing to steamroll the rest of the league with a mind-boggling 29-3-1 record, it remains a possibility that some players could be recalled to change Carolina's fortune.

Alternate captain Henrik Sedin, who has not scored in 19 games, is trying to remain positive through the whole ordeal. "Let's hope this is our one bad stretch for the season and then turn it on all the way to the Cup."

One would hope Sedin has the right idea because if the Canes do not shape up soon, the only trophy they will be competing for in June is on the links.