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Carolina Hurricanes: What went wrong this season?

By Andrew Miller

RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 17: Carolina Hurricanes players unite after scoring a goal in the first period during the game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Carolina Hurricanes on March 17, 2018, at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 17: Carolina Hurricanes players unite after scoring a goal in the first period during the game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Carolina Hurricanes on March 17, 2018, at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – FEBRUARY 24: Scott Darling #33 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates in warm-ups prior to an NHL game against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on February 24, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The Wings defeated the Hurricanes 3-1. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – FEBRUARY 24: Scott Darling #33 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates in warm-ups prior to an NHL game against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on February 24, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The Wings defeated the Hurricanes 3-1. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Scott Darling’s confidence dropped

Cam Ward is having a decent year as the starting goalie for the Canes. The story with Scott Darling does not ring as true. Carolina brought in Darling to take over as the long-term No. 1 goaltender, and serve as one of the faces of the franchise.

Making a big commitment to a potent backup goalie always serves as a risky move for any NHL team. However, the Canes, and the fan base, were ready to move on from the Ward tenure. Eddie Lack appeared as a failed attempt in net too.

As the season went along, Darling continued to decline. At this point, he’s carrying a save percentage well below .900, and also posted a goals against average well above the league average. There is still a chance for him to right the ship, but that clock is ticking too.

In total this season, Darling registered a record of 11-17-7, .888 save percentage, 3.08 goals against average, and zero shutouts. He’s nearly .200 percentage points below Ward’s save percentage, and the same can be said for his goals against average.

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