As the losses mount, the tension builds.
The Carolina Hurricanes are winless in their past five games after a 3-1 loss Tuesday to the Pittsburgh Penguins at PNC Arena. They’re 0-2-1 in what many considered a make-or-break five-game homestand following their mandated NHL bye week.
General manager Ron Francis said before the homestand, “These next five games will give us a better understanding of where we are.” On Wednesday, the Canes were 24-24-8 and last in the NHL’s Eastern Conference, 10 points out of playoff position with 26 games left to play.
The NHL trade deadline is March 1, and the Canes’ slide has made it more likely they will be sellers on the deadline, raising the tension level among the players.