The Carolina Hurricanes come back home down 2-0 in the series. Who do the Canes need to step up in order to even the odds?
The Carolina Hurricanes have finally joined the playoff race after 10 tough, agonizing years of inconsistency. The team has had multiple winning and losing streaks throughout the season, however they find themselves down 2-0 in the series to the defending Stanley cup champions.
How can the Hurricanes expect to comeback against an elite Washington squad? There is no question that this team is special and could make some noise in the playoffs. Let’s take a look at the 5 players I think will have the biggest impact on a potential playoff run.
5. Teuvo Teravainen
Teuvo Tervavainen has been the second best player on the canes this year by a wide margin. The Finnish winger has been excellent for the canes this year, posting 21 goals and 55 assists (76 points) which is best for 2nd overall in points right behind Sebastian Aho’s team leading 83 points.
Teravainen also is second on the team with a plus/minus of 30, right behind Brett Pesce’s 35. Teuvo has had the look of the Canes second best forward all season long. The canes will need Teuvo to come up huge for them in the playoffs if they want to go far.
4. Jaccob Slavin
Jaccob Slavin is one of the most underrated defensemen in the entire NHL. As the hurricanes top and most reliable defense-man, Slavin has posted numbers of 8 goals, 23 assists through 82 games which is relatively good for a defensemen.
However his impact does not solely rely on his point production, Jaccob leads the hurricanes in time on ice per game (23:02), as well as leads the team in blocked shots with 133. Slavin does a lot of the dirty work and the canes will need him to step up his defensive play and help keep the puck out of the net.
3. Justin Williams
Justin Williams has been nothing short of magical this year. Williams at the age of 37 is third on the team in points (53) and second in goals (23). However, just like Slavin, his impact is felt more across the board. At the beginning of the season Rod Brind’Amour named Justin Williams the captain as many saw coming.
Since he has received that honor, Justin has created a new atmosphere in the hurricanes locker room since returning to his old team. Williams is largely responsible for the hurricanes strong record since January 1st as you can tell he has rallied the troops.
Every time the captain touches the ice, you notice a difference in pace and effort in the entire lineup. Not only is he a strong leader and scorer, but he does not mind sacrificing his body to block shots as he did so earlier in the season when he took a puck to the face and left the game early.
Williams has accumulated an assist and has had a plus/minus of -3 so far through two games against the Caps. If Justin can get hot and rally the troops, the Canes will almost certainly start winning more games.
2. Sebastian Aho
Sebastian Aho is the Carolina Hurricanes best player plain and simple. He leads the club in goals (30) and points (83) and is third on the team in plus/minus (25). The Hurricanes would not be anywhere close to the playoffs without the young Finnish stud.
Sebastian was switched from left wing to center this past summer and has flourished in the role setting career numbers in goals and points. Sebastian has not played up to himself lately but it is likely due to his increase in minutes as he is averaging 20:09 time on ice per game this year compared to last year when he averaged 17:55.
Last night, Aho began to look like himself as he scored his first career playoff goal as you can see here:
No angle, no problem for @SebastianAho pic.twitter.com/Ph8BfFwkUU
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) April 13, 2019
The Carolina Hurricanes will really need Aho to continue to do Aho-like things if they want to keep up with Alex Ovechkin and the Caps’ hot start.
1. Petr Mrazek
What a signing Petr Mrazek has been for the Carolina hurricanes this year. Mrazek has been a journeyman in the NHL throughout his career but it looks like he has found a new permanent home in Carolina. Mrazek leads the hurricanes goalies in games played (40), wins (23), GAA (2.39), Save % (.914) and shutouts (4).
Statistically, Petr Mrazek has arguably been the canes best goalie in 10 years. No other goalie has had 4 shutouts for the hurricanes in a single season since Cam Ward did in the 2011-2012 season when he had 5. Mrazek has also been on a tear as of late. In his last 15 starts before the playoffs, the goalie has been 12-3-0 and has had a eye popping save % of .943.
If you look at Petr’s stats through his 2 games in the playoffs (7 goals allowed), you might think he has been struggling. However, not all goals have been his fault. Oftentimes, it has been due to defensive breakdowns or the canes abysmal special teams units. Mrazek has made many key saves to allow the Canes to be able to even stay competitive with Washington.
Mrazek will likely sit game 3, although if the Canes want to succeed, they’re going to need him to continue his stellar play.
Honorable mentions: Nino Niederreiter, Jordan Staal, Andrei Svechnikov
Which Canes player do you think needs to step up in order to win games 3 and 4?