Sept 18, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goalie Eddie Lack (31) watches the play during training camp at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
The Carolina Hurricanes have not had many goalie controversies since the beginning of the Cam Ward era back in 2006, but over the past few seasons, the long-time team cornerstone has been on the hot seat.
Nagging lower-body injuries and the increased level of competition surrounding Cam Ward since the beginning of this decade have turned many lovers into haters, and with the addition of Eddie Lack this offseason, Ward may be playing out his final days in Carolina.
Lack has played in 82 games over the past two seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, posting a record of 34-30-9 with a 2.43 goals against average and .917 save percentage. All of those numbers rank higher than those of Cam Ward, which leads many to believe that Lack is the team’s future in net and not Ward.
Since joining the club, Lack has started two preseason games, posting a 22-save shutout effort in two periods played against the Capitals last Monday, and he allowed 2 goals in 40 minutes of play against the New York Islanders on Saturday.
Two great outing from Lack has made him the favorite to win the starting goalie job, and Cam Ward’s incredibly rocky game against the Penguins last Tuesday, a game in which he allowed 6 goals in under 30 minutes, has only risen Lack’s stock.
Over the next three days, the Carolina Hurricanes will play their final two preseason games of 2015. Eddie Lack will start for Carolina on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals, the same team he shut down just over a week ago, and Cam Ward will get the nod in the team’s final preseason game on Friday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Both games will be on home ice.
Another great performance from Lack will likely seal his fate as the starting goalie of the Carolina Hurricanes, and a poor performance from Cam Ward on Friday will likely also confirm Lack’s role entering the 2015-2016 regular season.
There still remains many question marks as we near the October 8th regular season opener in Nashville, but who will be in net for the Hurricanes on that day is still one of the most biggest.
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