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Carolina Hurricanes: 5 players who need to step up in November

By Andrew Miller

RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 29: Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes scores a goal and celebrates with teammates during an NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks on October 29, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 29: Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes scores a goal and celebrates with teammates during an NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks on October 29, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – OCTOBER 29: Corey Perry #10 of the Anaheim Ducks scores the winning goal on Scott Darling #30 in a shootout during an NHL game on October 29, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – OCTOBER 29: Corey Perry #10 of the Anaheim Ducks scores the winning goal on Scott Darling #30 in a shootout during an NHL game on October 29, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

1. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Goalie. Carolina Hurricanes. Scott Darling. 109

We’re witnessing the beginning of the Scott Darling era in Raleigh. With Eddie Lack gone and Ward now officially moved into the backup role, this starting job is Darling’s for the taking. That is something he never got the opportunity for in Chicago behind Corey Crawford.

While Darling had some very solid efforts in eight starts in October, he does need to step it up in November. The NHL average in save percentage right now is .909. Darling has a save percentage of .897 so far.

The Canes need a goalie to at least finish with a save percentage above .910 to get a real boost into playoff contention. He does not need to play at the level of Sergei Bobrovsky, Carey Price, Martin Jones, etc., but at least be above average.

Next: Ranking every season in the history of the Carolina Hurricanes

General manager Ron Francis put his trust in Darling, bringing him over from the Blackhawks and signing him to a major contract extension during the off-season. You can see Darling getting more comfortable with the Canes, which hopefully continues in the coming weeks.

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