Cardiac Cane
Fansided

Carolina Hurricanes: Why is Scott Darling playing his best when it does not matter

By Andrew Miller

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 30: Scott Darling #33 and Valentin Zykov #73 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate after the Hurricanes defeated the Washington Capitals 4-1 at Capital One Arena on March 30, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 30: Scott Darling #33 and Valentin Zykov #73 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate after the Hurricanes defeated the Washington Capitals 4-1 at Capital One Arena on March 30, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 30: Scott Darling #33 and Valentin Zykov #73 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate after the Hurricanes defeated the Washington Capitals 4-1 at Capital One Arena on March 30, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 30: Scott Darling #33 and Valentin Zykov #73 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate after the Hurricanes defeated the Washington Capitals 4-1 at Capital One Arena on March 30, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Is there any way for the Carolina Hurricanes to get this type of goaltending out of Scott Darling into the start of next season?

Only two games remain on the 2017-18 regular season slate for the Carolina Hurricanes, before the course of the off-season takes place. Yet, the Canes do have some things to work on before the regular season officially concludes after a home matchup with a top team in the Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division, the Tampa Bay Lightning.

With the playoffs out of the picture at this point, the Canes gave more starts to the newly acquired former Chicago Blackhawks netminder Scott Darling. In his past three starts, Darling has not posted a save percentage lower than .911, which is about the best stretch of performances he’s posted in the second half of the season.

Darling played especially well in a thoroughly impressive 4-1 road victory over Metropolitan Division foe, the Washington Capitals. In that win, Darling stopped 20 of 21 shots on goal from one of the best offensive teams in the NHL.

At one point a few weeks ago, Darling was sitting at a low point of production posting a save percentage below .885. He’s looking to continue this type of confidence and overall standout performance through the off-season and into next year.

Among the two games left this season, Darling should get the start in at least one of them. The other matchup, outside of facing the Bolts, is a road meeting with another Metro foe in the Philadelphia Flyers. As a team with some pretty consistent goaltending issues themselves, the Flyers are a good opportunity for Darling to lead the Canes to a victory in the spoiler role.

Furthermore, as the deserving starter in net this season, Cam Ward should get the other start in one of the last two matchups. Even though Darling is playing very well right now, Ward should still be a key piece of Carolina’s roster in 2018-19.

Here’s a look at what Scott Darling has done for the Carolina Hurricanes recently, and if it will have affect on what he can do next season.

Home/Editorials