Cardiac Cane
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Carolina Hurricanes Look to Cap Series vs Capitals

By Christopher Highe

RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 3: Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates near the crease as Ilya Samsonov #30 of the Washington Capitals protects the net during an NHL game on January 3, 2020 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 3: Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates near the crease as Ilya Samsonov #30 of the Washington Capitals protects the net during an NHL game on January 3, 2020 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 11: James Reimer #47 of the Carolina Hurricanes gets a shutout over the Los Angeles Kings and is named #1 star following an NHL game on January 11, 2020, at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 11: James Reimer #47 of the Carolina Hurricanes gets a shutout over the Los Angeles Kings and is named #1 star following an NHL game on January 11, 2020, at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Carolina Hurricanes Need Another Brick Wall.

That is the short answer on how to defeat the Capitals. Petr Mrazek and James Reimer both have their moments, and regardless of whichever goaltender starts in the paint tonight, the Hurricanes will need them to be hot. The goaltending duo has given up thirty-four goals in their last ten, nearly four a game, despite ebbing out a 6-4-0 record. Of those, one was an overtime win.

Mrazek, the anticipated starter for the night, is 1-1-0 with a 4.03 goals-against average and .862 save percentage against Washington this year. He’s given up four at even-strength, and four on the penalty kill, with his career record against Washington sitting at 4-6-2, with a 2.77 goals-against average, a .908 save percentage and one shutout. As we’ve seen throughout the season, the Czech native can stun us, in both good and bad ways.

Similarily, Reimer, who had a shutout against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, could ride into the crease at the start. Optimus Reim has been a stellar goaltender on the road for Carolina. In fourteen road games, Reimer is 8-4-0 with two shutouts. As opposed to Mrazek’s 4-4-2 in ten road games, including one shutout. If I were Rod Brind’Amour, I would place my bets on Reimer.

Not only because of his impressive road record but his career record against Washington. Reimer is 5-4-2 in twelve matchups with a 2.37 goals-against average, a .930 save percentage, and a shutout. Not to mention he’s had two shutouts in his last six starts. Between the two goaltenders, I would think we would be committed to insanity if we were to start Petr tonight against Washington.

Regardless of if number forty-seven or thirty-four takes the crease, if they play at their best, Washington won’t (theoretically) stand a chance.

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