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3-0 Shutout Of San Jose Is One Of A Kind For Carolina’s Defense

By Chris Baker

Oct 27, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes left wing Teuvo Teravainen (86) celebrates his goal with defenseman Brent Burns (8) and defenseman Jaccob Slavin (74) against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 27, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes left wing Teuvo Teravainen (86) celebrates his goal with defenseman Brent Burns (8) and defenseman Jaccob Slavin (74) against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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Over the 9 games in this young season the Canes have given up 37 goals, which ties them with the Minnesota Wild for the most in the NHL. As everyone knows, blame has been laid at the feet of two particular players, rightly or wrongly. While neither side of this coin is willing to decamp from their position, I would argue that it remains largely the entire unit’s issue compounded by the lethargic play of these two. Take for instance, Carolina’s 3-0 over the San Jose Sharks. Not only was it the first, and only shut out for a Canes goaltender (scored by Antti Raanta) of the young season, it was the only night in which ALL of the defensive unit was 0 or better in +/-.

0
Oct 27, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brent Burns (8) and San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (48) battles over the puck during the second period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

Yes, +/- is a somewhat flawed statistic but for defensemen it is nearly the only way to measure their play. And yes, I realize that it was a shutout so no one on the team was going to be below 0, but this was not Carolina’s only win. It wasn’t even Carolina’s only win in 24 hours. This was the second game won in a back to back.

No other night has seen every Hurricanes defenseman 0 or better. At least one has been below in every other game. Monday’s 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, it was Brady Skjei who was -2 for only the 2nd time below 0 this season. Jalen Chatfield’s only dip below was the night before in the 4-3 win over the Seattle Kraken. The consistent pairing of Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei only have one night when they were both before 0. They remain the last defensive pairing without multiple nights. All the rest have at least 3. Whoever is paired with Dymtri Orlov will have multiple nights as he has just 3 nights a 0 or better.

It is a very young season, and the Hurricanes are dealing with a jumble of pairing changes, not to mention injuries. There is no cause for alarm. After all, the Hurricanes are back to their winning ways. But looking at the bigger picture, the two most blamed defensive players for the lack of quality are not the only problem. They contribute mightily, but they are not the only factors. Getting the pairings figured out, and Brett Pesce back will calm the issue, and Carolina can go back to the defensive stalwartness we are accustomed to seeing.

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