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Carolina Hurricanes: Three Keys to Postseason Success

By William Farrow |
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 24: Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates his goal at 2:56 of the third period against the Washington Capitals in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Capital One Arena on April 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 24: Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates his goal at 2:56 of the third period against the Washington Capitals in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Capital One Arena on April 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

The Carolina Hurricanes are preparing to take on the New York Rangers

The Carolina Hurricanes are fired up and ready to make a run for the cup and there are a few keys that will give them postseason success.

The Carolina Hurricanes have now been in training camp for a whole week. Rod Brind’amour and Jordan Staal both agree that the energy is high and the team is ready for a serious run in the playoffs. It’s apparent that every Cane is fighting to win the cup every day.

There were many ups and downs in this wild season but the Canes still sit high enough to claim a 5 seed in the Stanley Cup Qualifying round. With the Rangers up first there are a few things that have to go the Canes way in order to win the cup without us caniacs having too much anxiety.

With 3 months off from hockey all the players have had time to rest and heal, but haven’t been playing at the same pace as during the season. The rest was well worth it for the Canes especially since they were down about 4-5 men at one point before the pause.

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1. Screaming Staal

While Jordan Staal was never physically injured this season, there seemed to be something he was lacking all year. He had a poor regular season in the terms of production, but, at least he was still winning face offs.

Last year Staal came to play in the postseason. He seemed to have a fire lit under him any time he stepped on the ice and gave his all every single shift. His faceoffs were elite, and he had a few big time goals for the canes. After these goals, as pictured above, was his reaction. This is how the Screaming Staal meme was born.

If Staal can do what he did last year in the playoffs, everyone he faces is in danger.

MAY 12: Justin Williams #14 of the Carolina Hurricanes (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
MAY 12: Justin Williams #14 of the Carolina Hurricanes (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

2. Willy’s Last Run

The Carolina Hurricanes will by Justin William’s final ride

It’s very obvious at this point, that Justin Williams is entering his last games of professional hockey. The great part is that he’s doing it as a Hurricane.

This should not come as a surprise to anyone, he took off over half the season this year to rest and recover. He wanted one more run with the guys and his old friend Rod. Williams has always been a man to go over the top and never give up. That’s why he has 3 stanley cups.

If anyone saw how Williams played against the Bruins in the ECF last year, you could see that he was nearing the end of his career. He laid uncharacteristic hits, stayed on for longer shifts, and exhausted everything he had to try and win.

We can expect the same energy from the start this post season. Williams doesn’t want to just go play a few more games, he wants to end on a Stanley Cup. The energy and desperation from last years ECF was just a glimpse at what we could see all fall.

Dougie Hamilton #19 of the Carolina Hurricanes (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Dougie Hamilton #19 of the Carolina Hurricanes (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

3. A Healthy Blue Line

The Carolina Hurricanes are getting a bunch of guys back

That’s right folks, the rumors are true! DOUGIE HAMILTON IS BACK! As well as Petr Mrazek, James Reimer, and Sami Vatanen. Even with all of these injuries the Canes still found a way to win in the regular season. Now the blue line is even more locked and loaded, rested and healed for the playoff run.

Call ups for the playoffs also include the most NHL ready AHL Defenseman, Jake Bean. In reality the Canes are bringing 10 NHL level defenders to Toronto.

For the most part these are the pairings the Canes have been skating in training camp. It is a beautiful sight to see that Dougie is back out there with Jaccob Slavin. That top line can take care of any offensive pairing.

If everything goes right, and the Canes can put these keys together, they could make some special history up in Canada this fall.

Wish for the best and wear your mask so we can have a cup parade this Fall!

Question for CC Readers: What else do the Canes need to do to make a run at the cup?

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