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Carolina Hurricanes: Keys to Stopping the Skid vs. Columbus

By Matthew Nidiffer

Mar 20, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Martin Necas (88) reacts after missing his shot attempt during the overtime against the Columbus Blue Jackets at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Martin Necas (88) reacts after missing his shot attempt during the overtime against the Columbus Blue Jackets at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 14, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (39) clears the puck as Detroit Red Wings center Robby Fabbri (14) applies pressure during the second period at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (39) clears the puck as Detroit Red Wings center Robby Fabbri (14) applies pressure during the second period at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Nedeljkovic Still On Fire

The title of this key speaks for itself.

Alex Nedeljkovic is still on fire after all but dominating the starter’s crease for the Carolina Hurricanes so far this season.

Ned is Top 10 in almost every single goaltender advanced stat this season. If that doesn’t say “This is now my crease, thank you”, then I don’t know what does.

I still think Ned should take the 1B spot from James Reimer when Petr Mrazek comes back (which should be in a few days or so, given that he and Vincent Trocheck are on this short roadtrip with the team), but we’ll likely see him relegated back to the taxi squad since he’s already (miraculously) cleared waivers once this season.

It’s a shame, but in any case, Rod should ride Ned while he’s hot. I don’t see him cooling down anytime soon, especially since he’s made such a strong case to be the Carolina Hurricanes’ starting goaltender going into next season given that Mrazek and Reimer both are pending UFAs (Ned could be, too, but that’s another story entirely).

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