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Carolina Hurricanes: Breaking Down Sebastian Aho’s Goals

By Jeb Bohn

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 08: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after scoring a goal during the third period against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on February 08, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 08: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after scoring a goal during the third period against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on February 08, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Sebastian Aho of the Carolina Hurricanes
RALEIGH, NC – FEBRUARY 02: Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (20) shoots the puck during the 1st period of the Carolina Hurricanes game versus the Vancouver Canucks on February 2nd, 2020 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Breakdown

First goal of the game: 7 (20%)

We all know how important scoring the first goal is, especially over recent weeks (months? years?).  As of writing, Aho has opened the scoring in six games and in those games, the Hurricanes sport a record of 4-2.  The Hurricanes have scored first in 26 of their 56 games going into the weekend matchups, giving Aho a 27% share in that.  Not too bad.

Game-tying goals: 1 (3.33%)

I dislike this one because it means that the Hurricanes have been trailing.  Of course, I live in reality, so I’ll move on from that.  This is, of course, a very important stat because it shows the team’s ability to rally and a player’s ability to contribute when it’s needed.  Aho currently has only one game-tying goal, but this one carries extra weight.  Why?  It was scored on the power play.  We all know what the Hurricanes’ power play has been like for a large chunk of the season, and tying a game on the man advantage is a big boost.

Go-ahead goals: 10 (33.33%)

Now, let me elaborate a little with this one: Sebastian Aho has actually scored 10 go-ahead goals, however, 6 of those were the game’s first goal.  Yes, they still count and are just as important, I just want to create a little separation.  In another important category, Aho has performed well.

Insurance goals: 12 (40%)

Padding a lead is never a bad thing, especially in today’s NHL.  Aho’s killer instinct has come to the fore with great regularity in situations where the Hurricanes are looking to extend their lead.

Game-winning goals: 5 (16.66%)

Ah, the Holy Grail of goals: the game-winner.  We have another duplicate, as Aho’s game-winner in a shutout against the Detroit Red Wings was also the first goal of the game.  He’s netted the winning tally in 15.6% of the Hurricanes’ wins so far, a number that struck me as low at first blush.  The flipside is that with the talent on the team, Aho doesn’t always have to be “The Guy.”

Late goals in a rout: 2 (6.66%)

While this category is fine for padding stat lines, it means very little in terms of importance to the team.  For a player as important to the team as Aho, it’s good (but no surprise) to see that he isn’t picking up a ton of meaningless goals.

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