The Hurricanes took another hit on the wing Tuesday night when Taylor Hall left their game against the Washington Capitals in the second period with an upper-body injury.
Carolina was already trying to manage life without captain Jordan Staal and star winger Seth Jarvis, so Hall’s exit only added to the pressure on a forward group that has been stretched early. The team announced the injury during the game.
Hall has been a steady part of Carolina’s top unit since last summer’s Stanley Cup run. He played alongside Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake in the playoffs and produced 19 points in 19 games as that line drove the Canes through the postseason.
That same trio has opened this season together and has kept doing damage. Through seven games, Hall has five points, with three goals and two assists.
If the Hurricanes need to replace Hall for any length of time, the most likely call-up options are Bradly Nadeau or Felix Unger Sorum, both of whom are in Chicago with the team’s AHL affiliate, the Wolves. One of those prospects was expected to have a shot at Jarvis’ top-line spot after training camp, but instead head coach Rod Brind’Amour has used William Carrier there.
Carolina entered Tuesday’s matchup on a roll, having won five in a row after opening the season with losses to Washington and Florida. That stretch pushed the Hurricanes to 5-1-1 and back to first place in the Metropolitan Division.
The night also carried another layer of significance at Lenovo Center. It was the final regular-season visit there for Alex Ovechkin after the NHL’s all-time leading scorer said last week that this will be his last season in the league. The game also matched the two teams viewed as the favorites to finish on top of the Metro.
In Other News...
Hurricanes Suddenly Face An Early Test They Did Not Want
Jordan Staals absence lands as a jarring early-season hurdle for a Carolina group that usually prides itself on stability down the middle. Rod BrindAmour confirmed the captain will miss one to two months with a calf tear, and the Hurricanes are already adjusting their forward structure around it, with Mark Jankowski moving to a new line and expected to stay there.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi has also been shifted back to center as Carolina tries to keep its balance intact through the stretch ahead. In goal, Pyotr Kochetkov is projected to start against the Washington Capitals, another small sign that the Hurricanes are trying to steady the ship while one of their most important leaders is sidelined. [Read more 🡒]
Hurricanes Suddenly Face A Major Problem Without Their Captain
The Hurricanes are suddenly staring at a stretch they did not expect to navigate without Jordan Staal, their captain and one of the clubs most reliable centers. Staal is expected to miss one to two months because of a calf tear, a hit to Carolinas structure that goes beyond the box score and reaches into the way the team handles tough minutes, faceoffs and late-game situations.
For a group built on depth and detail, losing a player with Staals role forces everyone else to absorb more responsibility almost immediately. The timing is especially awkward with the season still taking shape, and it leaves Carolina trying to protect its rhythm while waiting for one of its most trusted voices to work his way back. [Read more 🡒]
Hurricanes Fast Start Is Being Fueled By Unexpected Names
The Hurricanes early push has come with a few expected stars doing their part, but the bigger surprise has been the lift from some lower-profile additions and depth pieces. Carolina is 5-1-1 through seven games and riding a five-game winning streak, with Sean Walker, Mark Jankowski and William Carrier all giving the lineup a boost in different ways. Walker has settled in quickly on the blue line, Carrier has chipped in five assists, and the overall start has helped the Hurricanes build momentum without needing every answer to come from the usual names.
Jankowski has been the most eye-catching of the bunch, finding the net in a way that has given Carolina a useful scoring layer deeper in the roster. Walkers passing has also stood out, including one especially productive night that showed just how much offense he can add when the game opens up. For a team trying to keep its fast start rolling, the encouraging part is not just that these players are contributing, but that they are doing it in ways that can change the look of the Hurricanes attack. [Read more 🡒]