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Carolina Hurricanes: Keys for Metro Success

ByJeb Bohn|
RALEIGH, NC - MAY 14: Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes leaves the ice following warmups prior to Game Three of the Eastern Conference Third Round against the Boston Bruins during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 14, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - MAY 14: Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes leaves the ice following warmups prior to Game Three of the Eastern Conference Third Round against the Boston Bruins during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 14, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
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Islanders forward Matthew Barzal
SAN JOSE, CA – JANUARY 26: (13) New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal (13) skates with the puck at the NHL All-Star Game on January 26, 2019, at SAP Center in San Jose, CA (Photo by Matt Cohen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

New York Islanders

One of the biggest surprises of the 2018-19 season was the New York Islanders.  After losing franchise center John Tavares in free agency, the Islanders and their fans needed a reason to hope.  New coach Barry Trotz delivered, quickly installing his system and getting his players to buy in.  As a result, the Islanders led the NHL by allowing only 191 goals.

Conversely, the Islanders were 22nd in the league offensively, scoring 223 goals.  Matthew Barzal, Josh Bailey, Brock Nelson, and Anders Lee (the top 4 scorers) are all back for 19-20.  Joining them is Derick Brassard, coming off of a 3 team, 23 point season.  If Barzal continues his progression and the team gets more offensive support, they could find themselves back in the playoffs.

The big change comes in goal.  Robin Lehner, coming off his best overall season (25W; 2.13GAA; .930SV%; 6SO) and taking home the Jennings and Masterton trophies, departed for Chicago.  In comes Semyon Varlamov after 8 up and down seasons with the Colorado Avalanche.  There’s no question that Varlamov is a talented goalkeeper, however, he comes with two question marks: consistency and health.

Over the last two seasons alone, the Russian goalie has missed time on 5 different occasions.  Hip and knee issues have hampered him for much of his career.  The Islanders do have a solid backup in Thomas Greiss, but a healthy Varlamov could help them immensely.

Keys for the Hurricanes:

  • Drive the play – The Hurricanes have enough speed and offensive depth to mount a sustained attack against the Islanders’ strong defensive scheme.  The key is not to overextend and allow Barzal and company to generate offense in transition.  The Islanders may not be the most offensively talented team in the league, but the Carolina Hurricanes must respect their transition game.
  • Precise puck movement – Varlamov and Greiss are skilled goaltenders that are going to stop most shots when they’re allowed to get set.  The Hurricanes need to execute precision passes to open of the defense and get the goalie moving.  With Varlamov’s lower body history, it stands to reason that you want to force him to move laterally as much as you can.
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