No, I am not talking about Channing Tatum from 22 Jump Street, I am talking about Jeff Skinner on the Carolina Hurricanes.
In case you have forgotten Jeff after a few injuries, and a quiet year last year, Skinner is finally healthy and back to his scoring ways. With two hat-tricks in three games, he now has 14 goals on the season.
Skinner’s first goal last night he flew down the right side of the boards, and after a quick stop at the top of the right circle, he fired a shot through the 5-hole of Neuvirth. His 2nd goal is one we have been seeing from him a lot lately. He helped win the face-off, then sent the puck to the point, then he bolts straight to the net, and in the crease he bats the puck out of the air to score. He has been crashing the net a lot lately getting the dirty/gritty goals, something he did not do early in the year. Also, it helps that his hand eye coordination has allowed him to get multiple goals by batting the puck out of the air. Finally, his 3rd goal yesterday was by far the most impressive. From the right boards again, he dangled his way into the slot, and before he collided into a Flyer, he miraculously fires off a wrist shot so quick Neuvirth didn’t even have a chance to make the save. Every goal he scored last night was a thing of beauty, and this added great entertainment to the game.
Skinner’s whole demeanor lately has changed. After a slow start to the season, because of being stuck on line 3 with line-mates that consisted of Riley Nash, Chris Terry, and Brad Malone for most of the season. Now he is finally playing beside scorers like Rask and new assist man Di Giuseppe. Skinner is finally able to start producing like he is expected to with offensive minded players around him.
I was not originally a fan of the situation Skinner was put in at the start of the year (line 3), but after last night’s game, I have to admit it was a great move by head coach Bill Peters. Last night Skinner’s offense of course was impressive, but to me it was his defensive positioning in both the offensive and defensive zones that truly stood out.
Defensively in the offensive zone he was able to intercept a lot of passes creating offense for both him and the Canes. After a steal he would shield the puck and either dump the puck behind the goal, or fire a shot on net to create some chaos for the Flyers.
In the defensive zone he seems more aware of when to cover for his defenders, or when to jump into a passing lane. This really helped out Lack and the defenders on the team. The Flyers were peppering Lack, and with Skinner being in the right place at the right time to help when needed, is a nice bonus for the team.
The time he has spent on line 3, with more defensive minded players, has clearly rubbed off on him. This has turned Skinner into a complete player. Coach Peters has to be ecstatic with the quick growth of Skinner, and the lesson Bill was trying to teach Jeff, is nothing short of a great coaching effort on his part.
Finally, lately Skinner’s name has been in a lot of trade rumors, and it is really yet to be seen if the Canes are at all interested in trading him. One thing is for sure, the NHL is fully aware of the scoring prowess that Jeff Skinner possesses, and no one is happier than the Canes. With Mr. December (Skinner has 27 goals in 50 games in the month of December) helping the Canes earn a point last night, they are now within 6 points of a playoff spot. The Hurricanes are slowly catching up to the struggling Penguins, and with the inconsistent play of the other teams in the east, the Canes have a slim chance. Although, it’s not crazy to think the playoffs can be found by the resurgence of Skinner, and a new and surprising high powered offense of the Hurricanes.
Nik Ceraso
Blogger • 
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