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Carolina Hurricanes: Three Keys to Regaining Momentum vs. Florida

By Matthew Nidiffer

Feb 17, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) checks Florida Panthers left wing Jonathan Huberdeau (on ice) during the third period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 17, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) checks Florida Panthers left wing Jonathan Huberdeau (on ice) during the third period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 17, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers right wing Juho Lammikko (83) scores a third period goal against Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (39) at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 17, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers right wing Juho Lammikko (83) scores a third period goal against Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (39) at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

3. More Nedeljkovic, Please

I’m just gonna come right out and say it. My confidence in James Reimer at this point is nonexistent.

Last season, I was one of the few that went to bat for Reimer, and defended him every chance I got. This season, though, things are a little bit different. At that point in time, Reimer was doing what he needed to do to make saves on purpose, and stole a game here or there for the Canes.

This season, though, is an entirely different story. Reimer has been incredibly lucky, and his stats are more reflective of the Carolina Hurricanes scoring 4-6 goals per game a few weeks ago than Reimer’s actual performance.

I’m not entirely sure where Reimer’s magic has gone. Maybe his injury history is catching up to him, maybe it’s being overworked since it took Rod Brind’amour about 25 years to trust Alex Nedeljkovic enough to give him a real shot in net. Who knows, but at this point, Reimer is not the answer.

Ned has proven he’s more than capable of taking on the lion’s share of starts while Petr Mrazek is out, and should continue to carry the mantle of “backup” when Mrazek comes back, if you ask me.

As I’ve said before, the Carolina Hurricanes’ best chance of winning hockey games starts with Alex Nedeljkovic if the Canes are going to continue to struggle putting the puck in the back of the other team’s net. Hopefully Rod makes the right choice tonight.

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