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
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 13: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals and Nicklas Backstrom #19 skate on the ice in the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena on January 13, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Alex Ovechkin (47-52-99 in 86 games) & Nicklas Backstrom (15-47-62 in 66 games)

If St. Louis and Lecavalier were the early duo of Canes Killers, Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom are the modern version. Ovechkin’s numbers have already been mentioned. He’ll surpass Lecavalier this season for most games against the Hurricanes, and his next point will be his 100th. The most incredible part about his run is that he only has one hat trick against the Canes, and it didn’t come until 2018. Backstrom has been Ovechkin’s right-hand man for 17 seasons, but he’s been just as lethal. He’s fifth in assists and sixth in points. Their success extends to the postseason, combining for nine goals and 17 points in the 1st Round in 2019.

Sidney Crosby (20-40-60 in 55 games)

Entering the league at the same time as Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby has been a pillar of consistency for the Penguins organization. His 60 points in 55 games are the seventh-most of any player, while his 40 assists are sixth. There are several other Penguins that could’ve been included, namely Evgeni Malkin. Crosby’s success also reaches into the postseason, scoring seven points during Pittsburgh’s four-game sweep of the Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2009.

John Tavares (28-26-54 in 45 games)

While John Tavares spent plenty of seasons with the Islanders, there wasn’t a single moment I could point to as being noteworthy. Then, I looked at his year-by-year breakdown against Carolina. During his third season in 2011-12, Tavares scored 12 points in four games against the Canes, scoring at least two points in all four, including three multi-goal performances. While he’s 11th in points, Tavares has the fifth-most goals with 28. Even with the Maple Leafs, he’s been a point-per-game player against Carolina.

Mika Zibanejad (15-22-37 in 33 games)

A newer addition to the list, Mika Zibanejad earned his title as a Canes Killer once he joined the New York Rangers. Zibanejad has 29 points in 20 games since being traded to the Rangers, the most points of any player since the start of the 2016-17 season. Most of his success has come on the power play, with 16 of his 29 points coming with the man advantage. Zibanejad was also crucial in New York’s seven-game win over the Canes in the 2nd Round in 2022.

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