Cardiac Cane
Fansided

Carolina Hurricanes: The Path to Contention

By Thomas G

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 2: Goaltender Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on November 2, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Hurricanes 5-3. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 2: Goaltender Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on November 2, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Hurricanes 5-3. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 16: Scott Darling #33 of the Carolina Hurricanes makes a first period chest save against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on November 16, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 16: Scott Darling #33 of the Carolina Hurricanes makes a first period chest save against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on November 16, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Goaltending thoughts

Now, let’s move on to the topic of goaltending. Scott Darling and Cam Ward have impressed me, thus far.

Darling, in particular, has been thrown into a tough situation. He was one of the best backup goaltenders in the league, last year, and the Hurricanes pounced on a perfect opportunity to sign him.

His .910 save percentage, is decent. It will improve as the season progresses. But, the problem is, I just don’t know how good he will be in the playoffs. Let’s take a look at the Penguins and the Predators, from last year.

You know what carried these teams to the finals last year? What is the sparkling offense of the Pens? Was it the Preds’ unique lineup of offensive defensemen? Nope. It obviously helped, but neither of them would have  been their without the goaltenders.

Pekka Rinne had a .930 save percentage through 22 playoff games, while Marc-Andre Fleury dragged the Pens through the Caps-series. This just goes to show how crucial a great goaltender can be.

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