Taylor Hall, the Hurricanes and Rod Brind'Amour hit an unwelcome bump against the Capitals tonight, right as Carolina's veteran winger was heating up.
Hall left with an upper-body injury and won't return to the game. The timing stings, because he had been one of Carolina's hottest forwards.
He has three goals and five points in seven games, all of it coming over his last five, with a +5 in that stretch. One of those goals was a game-winner.
There's no word yet on how serious it is. Upper-body injuries can mean anything from a short stay to a longer absence.
Carolina came in at 5-1-1 after a 4-1 win in Philadelphia on Sunday. The team had been rolling, and the winger was a big part of it.
It's also the second scare in a week up front. Andrei Svechnikov took a puck to the face against Chicago on Saturday, though he appeared to be okay.
Rod Brind'Amour's Hurricanes wait on Taylor Hall
Hall, 34, carries a $3,166,667 cap hit. For that price, the Hurricanes have been getting production well beyond the number.
Carolina has also been busy off the ice, chasing goaltending help and working on an Alexander Nikishin trade. Losing a veteran forward adds another item to Eric Tulsky's to-do list.
The Hurricanes should take it slow. A 34-year-old winger on a hot streak is worth protecting, and rushing him back to chase October points makes little sense for a team already near the top.
Losing a hot player mid-streak is like a song cutting out right at the chorus.
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Carolina visits Winnipeg on Saturday, a game that could carry extra intrigue if Connor Hellebuyck decides to return.
The Hurricanes will get an update soon. For now, a hot streak is on pause, and Carolina will be hoping it's only a short one.
Should the Hurricanes rest Taylor Hall until he's fully healthy?
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