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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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Flyers goalie Carter Hart scrambles to make a save against the Carolina Hurricanes
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 06: Carter Hart #79 of the Philadelphia Flyers dives across his crease as Samuel Morin #5 and Ryan Hartman #38 look back into the net against the Carolina Hurricanes on April 6, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Hurricanes went on to defeat the Flyers 4-3. Tonight’s game is the last of the Flyers’ season. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)

Philadelphia Flyers

The 2018-19 season bore witness to the Flyers dropping 16 points in the standings, missing the playoffs for the third time in five seasons.  New GM Chuck Fletcher (hired in December of 2018) went out after the season and hired Alain Vigneault to replace Scott Gordon (who replaced Dave Hakstol shortly after Fletcher became GM).  Vigneault, who has 648 wins in 1216 games, brings plenty of experience to the Flyers.

Philadelphia finished the 18-19 season 18th in goals for (241) while allowing the third most goals against (280).  Fletcher set out to address both areas over the summer.  Up front, he signed Kevin Hayes to give the Flyers a reliable #2 center.  While Claude Giroux didn’t hit 100 points again, he did manage a very respectable 85 points (22g; 63a).  Sean Couturier matched his 17-18 output (76p) in two fewer games.  He should be a lock for 30+ goals and 70+ points once again.

Fletcher also made a couple of moves to add veteran leadership to the blueline.  Justin Braun was brought over in a trade with San Jose on June 18th.  Braun, 32, has typically been a reliable defender, though last season saw him post the worst plus/minus (-14) of his career.  Four days prior, Fletcher shipped Radko Gudas to the Washington Capitals in return for Matt Niskanen.  While neither move puts their defense over the top, both are solid, veteran pieces to compliment the Flyers’ young defensemen.

Goaltending, long the bane of Flyers fans, could very well be on the road to salvation.  Philadelphia utilized eight goalies last season and Carter Hart posted the best numbers (16W; 2.83GAA; .917SV%) of the lot.  If he can pick that up this season it will bode very well for the Flyers.  He’ll likely split time with Brian Elliott.  Elliott, in a season where he lost 3 months to a lower-body injury, struggled, going 11-11-1 with a 2.96GAA and .907SV%.

Keys for the Hurricanes:

  • Keep those four lines rolling – The Carolina Hurricanes arguably have the most forward depth that they’ve ever had and head coach Rod Brind’Amour loves using all of his lines.  The Flyers’ depth isn’t equal so the Hurricanes can exploit matchups to keep the pressure up.  The Flyers finished last season with the 26th ranked penalty kill (78.48%) and 23rd ranked power play (17.09%), so the Hurricanes can play aggressively.
  • Take your shots – The Flyers gave up 33 shots per game on average, 10th highest in the league.  The Carolina Hurricanes racked up 2822 shots last season (34 per game average), placing them at the top of the league.  If the Hurricanes, with their reloaded offense, can keep that pressure up they’re sure to be rewarded.
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