Hurricanes hold on to defeat the Rangers and win the Metropolitan Division

For the first time ever, the Carolina Hurricanes organization has won the Metropolitan Division title. They have won consecutive division titles for the first time since the team was brought into the NHL when the WHA merged with the league. For the organization, this is a momentous occasion. For the first time in the 43-year history of the Carolina Hurricanes or Hartford Whalers organization, the team is showing signs of sustained success.

Pyotr Kochetkov was the goalie of choice for this one. His third appearance in four days would see him go toe to toe with the likely Vezina winning goaltender at the other end of the ice. Carolina’s young Russian netminder would be everything they could have asked for in this one with big save after big save being made to bail the Canes out time and again as he would stop 31 of the 34 shots the Rangers threw at him.

Sebastian Aho. If I just left it like that, it would be justified. Aho has lit up the Rangers and helped the Canes do it again. In his last seven games against the Rangers, he’s put up six goals and fifteen points. That’s not a typo. 15 points in 7 games against the Rangers including the game-winner in this one and his 400th career NHL point. Aho has been everything the team has asked for and more this season.

Carolina’s fourth line has been a big part of their recent little burst of wins. They got another goal in this one, and Carolina’s depth is continuing to show that this Canes team can rely on it. This could be huge for the team when they start their push for the Stanley Cup. Depth scoring could be a major difference-maker in a conference with eight teams all capable of capturing the most difficult trophy in sports.