Cardiac Cane
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Carolina Hurricanes vs. Nashville Predators: The Chase

By Christopher Highe

NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 8: Mike Fisher #12 of the Nashville Predators and Elias Lindholm #16 of the Carolina Hurricanes await the drop of the puck by linesman Mark Shewchyk #92 at Bridgestone Arena on October 8, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Sanford Myers/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 8: Mike Fisher #12 of the Nashville Predators and Elias Lindholm #16 of the Carolina Hurricanes await the drop of the puck by linesman Mark Shewchyk #92 at Bridgestone Arena on October 8, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Sanford Myers/Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 16: Josh Archibald #15 of the Edmonton Oilers moves the puck against Jake Gardiner #51 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period at PNC Arena on February 16, 2020, in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Oilers won 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 16: Josh Archibald #15 of the Edmonton Oilers moves the puck against Jake Gardiner #51 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period at PNC Arena on February 16, 2020, in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Oilers won 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

The Carolina Hurricanes need to spend less time in their defensive zone.

One of the most significant issues the Carolina Hurricanes have had as of late is clearing the puck. Whether it be on a penalty kill, or during even-strength, getting the puck away from their defensive zone has been problematic. The Hurricanes have one of the best-expected goals (xG/60) in the league, yet are currently in a terrible spot defensively.

The Canes can generate offense; it’s a matter of getting to that point. The goaltending duo, Petr Mrazek and James Reimer, have seen an average of thirty-one shots against in each of their last five starts. While it’s a league-average number faced, both netminders themselves are also league-average goalies. The team as a whole has to be able to limit the time spent on the wrong side of their blue line.

It has been especially true on many penalty kills, including Andrei Svechnikov‘s hi-sticking infraction yesterday. The Oilers managed to get a goal just as the powerplay expired because the Hurricanes couldn’t clear the puck. The same could be said of Kailer Yamamoto‘s powerplay goal as well.

And this will be especially pertinent against the Predators, as we refer back to Sean Tierney’s (@ChartingHockey) graphic for a moment, who not only generate quality offense but can also follow through on it. Letting the mustard cats run amok like a kitten with a ball of string isn’t something I’d recommend.

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