Cardiac Cane
Fansided

“Canes Killers”: A History of Players Terrorizing the Carolina Hurricanes

By Ben Huffman

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 03: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers takes a shot against Petr Mrazek #34 of the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 3, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 03: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers takes a shot against Petr Mrazek #34 of the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 3, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images) /
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Canes Killers
RALEIGH, NC – OCTOBER 07: Vincent Lecavalier #4 of the Tampa Bay Lightning scores a power play goal at 17:50 of the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes and is joined by Martin St. Louis #26 at the RBC Center on October 7, 2011 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Martin St. Louis (38-53-91 in 83 games) & Vincent Lecavalier (31-48-79 in 87 games)

Some of the earliest Canes Killers come from the Southeast Division days. Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier were teammates for many years in Tampa Bay, and they both loved playing the Hurricanes. St. Louis scored at least ten points in a season against the Canes four times, including three straight years after the 2004 lockout. He’s second in goals, assists, and points against the Hurricanes and third in games played, while three of his eight career hat tricks were at the Canes’ expense. Lecavalier currently has the most games played against the Canes, though it’s likely to be broken this season by Alex Ovechkin. He’s also in the Top 5 in goals, assists, and points, and he has a hat trick against the Canes.

Jaromir Jagr (23-54-79 in 61 games)

Regarded as one of the best to play the game, Jaromir Jagr is still rolling as he plays in Czechia. During his NHL days, Jagr found great success against Hartford and Carolina. No matter where he played, success followed. He never scored more than eight points in a season against the Canes, but he was a point-per-game or better in 13 of the 17 seasons he played against Carolina. His 1.26 points per game against the Canes is the highest of any player with 15+ games. While he was deadly against every team, Jagr fits the mold of a Canes Killer.

Ilya Kovalchuk (37-37-74 in 61 games)

When was the last time you thought about the Atlanta Thrashers? Better yet, who is the first person you think of when the Atlanta Thrashers are mentioned? For me, it’s Ilya Kovalchuk. He was a menace against the Hurricanes. His performance against the Canes during the 2005-06 season was remarkable. In eight meetings that season, Kovalchuk scored nine goals, the most against the Canes in a single season, including four multi-goal games. He became just as effective when he joined the Devils a few years later.

Olli Jokinen (22-37-59 in 64 games)

The final staple of the Southeast days, Olli Jokinen was a constant thorn with the Florida Panthers. Jokinen ranks in the Top 10 in goals, assists, and points against the Canes, but his performances against them in 2006-07 make him a true Canes Killer. Jokinen recorded 16 points in eight games, the most in a single season against Carolina. While he could never duplicate that pace in later seasons, Jokinen always seemed to have the Canes’ number.

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