Cardiac Cane
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What should the Canes do with the goaltending situation heading into the playoffs?

By Duncan Reilly

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 20: Frederik Andersen #31 of the Carolina Hurricanes in the second period at Staples Center on November 20, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 20: Frederik Andersen #31 of the Carolina Hurricanes in the second period at Staples Center on November 20, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Apr 14, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Antti Raanta (32) stops Detroit Red Wings defenseman Filip Hronek (17) shot during the second period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Antti Raanta (32) stops Detroit Red Wings defenseman Filip Hronek (17) shot during the second period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

Raanta is proven and has veteran experience

Raanta has limited experience playing in the playoffs. But he has played in the NHL for nine seasons with more than 200 games under his belt. Including 28 games for the Hurricanes this season.

He is probably more prepared than Kochetkov for the pressure of the playoffs, and he has proven this season that he is more than capable of providing good games in net for the Hurricanes.

Raanta posted a stat line of 15-5-4, .912 SV%, and a GAA of 2.45 in the regular season. Even if he may not be able to give Carolina a whole postseason’s worth of goaltending needed to make a deep run, he is a goalie who can come in every few games and provide security in the net when he does play.

In all likelihood, Andersen will be able to make his return by game 3 or 4 against Boston. That means Raanta will not have to be relied on to play the whole series.

If he can keep the series close or in Carolina’s favor by the time Andersen gets back, he will have done his job. And that is something he can most certainly do.

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