Injuries to Eric and Jordan Staal have left the Carolina Hurricanes woefully undermanned at center and contributed to the team's disappointing 0-2-2 start.
The gaping hole in the depth chart, however, has provided 25-year-old center Riley Nash with a splendid opportunity to perform in a high-responsibility role.
So far, he's performed at a higher level than ever seen before.
Nash has scored three points in four games in 2014-15, won 37 of 57 faceoffs and set a career high with 21:20 in ice time against Buffalo.
He's assumed a regular top-six role in the absence of both Staals and prospered in it. In the ugly shootout loss to the Sabres, Nash was clearly the best player on the ice, not only registering two points and dominating the faceoff circle but also winning a plethora of puck races and board battles.
Considering the near invisibility of Elias Lindholm and lack of production from Nathan Gerbe in the first week of the season, Nash has been one of few bright spots in Carolina's offense. He's been just as strong defensively, as evidenced by the vast decline in his Corsi against (shot a ...
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Article written by Mark Jones
Center Riley Nash Thriving in Larger Role on Carolina Hurricanes in 2014-15
October 20th, 2014 by Mark Jones Leave a reply »
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