Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
This season has been a rough one for the Carolina Hurricanes. What started off on a pretty promising campaign has been completely derailed by injuries, whether it’s to the forward ranks, the blue line, or between the pipes. It’s probably safe to say that the one to their starting goaltender has been the most devastating.
Cam Ward sprained his MCL in the middle of a tilt back in March 3rd. He has not appeared in a game since. The Canes can pretty much trace their downward tailspin back to that point. They’ve been awful since he’s been out, though goaltending hasn’t been their only issue.
Even if they do have other issues, missing an elite goaltender is going to make rough, regardless of how strong a roster might be otherwise. Ward wasn’t having his best season, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t miss him.
Through his 16 starts, Ward had posted a 2.84 goals-against average. Not the worst, but not too great either. His save percentage was sitting at .908, which is actually better than Jonathan Quick if it’s any sort of consolation. While it’s not his best, what Ward was doing is certainly better than what Justin Peters and Dan Ellis have done.
As we close in on the end of the regular season, it’s looking more and more like the Hurricanes will not see Cam Ward again until next year. The initial prognosis was six to eight weeks. We’ve already passed the six. The eight takes us past the end of the regular season. Even if he does return, though, will it make a difference?
The Canes have already been mathematically eliminated from contention. What does it matter if Ward makes it back this year? Not like he’s on the cusp anyway, as he recently resumed skating but has yet to participate in an actual practice. Let him fully recover, get back at it next season.
