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Carolina GM: ‘In five of our losses, we clearly were the better team’

Jakub Voracek, Cam Ward

Jakub Voracek, Cam Ward

AP

Carolina GM Ron Francis believes his team deserves better than a 6-10-2 record.

“The frustrating thing for us is that in five of our losses we clearly were the better team but did not win,” Francis told the News & Observer. “That’s 10 points. That’s the difference of where we are in the standings and where we could be.

“I also know if ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we’d all have a Merry Christmas. This is an outcome-based industry and you have to win.”

We touched on the Hurricanes’ scoring issues last week. Statistically, they’ve been one of the best puck-possession teams in the NHL. Right up there with Los Angeles, Montreal, Chicago, and Washington.

But there’s more to hockey than simply possessing the puck. The key is actually doing something with the puck. (It’s sort of like that Seinfeld bit about rental-car companies. “You know how to take the reservation; you just don’t know how to hold the reservation.”)

Another key is goaltending, which Francis admits “needs to be better.” Neither Cam Ward nor Eddie Lack have been very good. In fact, Carolina is tied with Calgary for the lowest team save percentage (.880) in the NHL.

The ‘Canes host Toronto on Friday.