When the postseason began last month, the Carolina Hurricanes had positioned themselves beautifully. Throughout a crazy year in the Eastern Conference, the Canes remained a consistent force, playing themselves to the top in the conference despite enduring injuries for the better part of the first half. Many felt that the East still ran through Raleigh.
The Canes started the playoffs by doing something that hadn't been done in 40 years, but they were in for their toughest test of the year in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Montreal Canadiens. Having lost all three games during the regular season, they had to prove a few people wrong. Five games later, the doubters have been silenced. The Carolina Hurricanes have conquered the East.
Stories of the Series
Andersen continues to make history: This postseason run has been nothing short of remarkable for the Canes' netminder as he continues to rewrite the team's history books. Frederik Andersen became the franchise's wins leader in Game 1 against Philadelphia, and he added more records against Montreal. Andersen passed Cam Ward for games played in Game 2.
In Game 4, Andersen pitched his third shutout of the postseason and his fifth since joining the Canes, both setting the single-season and career marks for shutouts. It was a big part of his 160:13 shutout streak from the second period in Game 3 to the third period in Game 5, which passed Kevin Weekes' run in 2002 for the longest in franchise history. Right now, he's my pick for the Conn Smythe.
The Hurricanes hit the century mark: Friday's closeout game helped the Hurricanes reach 100 postseason wins. If you include Hartford's wins, they have 118. Since the team relocated to Raleigh, their 100 wins are the eighth-most in the league, with Colorado sitting at the top (134). Six of the seven teams ahead of them have something in common. All but San Jose have won a Stanley Cup.
Rod Brind'Amour has, obviously, played a big part in almost all of their wins. He has been a player or the head coach for 98 of the 100 wins, with only their two wins in 1999 against Boston not featuring Brind'Amour in some capacity. 59 of those wins have been since he took over as the head coach. The only team with more during that time? Their opponents in the Cup Final, the Vegas Golden Knights.
Shot suppression at its finest: It's no secret that the Carolina Hurricanes are very good at preventing teams from getting shots on goal. They were the best at it during the regular season, and it has been a common theme for many years. Broadcasts tend to mention it when the Canes' goalies don't see a high volume of shots. That was certainly the case during this series.
Throughout the five-game set, the Canadiens managed just 89 shots, the fewest in a series that went five games in NHL postseason history. In Games 2, 3, and 4, the Canadiens recorded 12, 13, and 18 shots, respectively. Their 43 shots were a record-low for a three-game stretch. It's a big reason why guys like Juraj Slafkovsky and Nick Suzuki didn't record points after scoring three each in Game 1.
Best Moment: Ehlers knots the series with the OT winner in Game 2
The Hurricanes were handed a reality check in Game 1. Coming off a long pause between series, they looked rusty, allowing the Canadiens to score four times in the first period in a 6-2 win. With their legs back under them, the Canes were much better in Game 2, but they were stuck in a 2-2 deadlock after 60 minutes in a game that they probably deserved to win in regulation.
There are a few moments that could be seen as the turning point, but this one takes the cake. Early in overtime, Nikolaj Ehlers, who scored a beautiful goal in the second period, took a bump pass from Mark Jankowski, skated into the offensive zone, and snapped it past Jakub Dobes. The crowd went nuts as the Canes tied the series. A loss in Game 2 might've spelled doom for Carolina.
Best Game: The Hurricanes finish the job with a dominant Game 5 win
Was this the most entertaining game of the series? Probably not, but this felt like a vindicating moment for the Carolina Hurricanes. For years, all we've heard is how this team can't get over the hump, and while there will still be naysayers after this run, at least we know that they're just being trolls. The Canes came out of the gates and dominated this game from start to finish.
This game had a little bit of everything for the Canes. The Stankoven line led the charge, combining for three of the team's six goals and eight total points. The fourth line scored another goal. The power play got on the board. The top line finished the job with the empty net goal. Andersen was outstanding. Everything that could go right did for the Canes. That's why they're moving on.
Three Stars of the Series
I feel that I must give a disclaimer before revealing my top three players from the series. This was excruciatingly tough to nail down. 13 of the team's 18 skaters had at least two points in the series, with eight recording at least four. It was a near-impossible practice. I know that it probably doesn't matter, but know that this was incredibly hard.
Third Star: His performance during the series won't get the love it deserves on the scoresheet, but K'Andre Miller continued his outstanding postseason in the Eastern Conference Finals. He recorded just two assists, picking up primary helpers in Games 3 and 4, yet he was one of the team's most impactful players, along with defensive partner Sean Walker.
The duo was on the ice for just two even-strength goals against in the series, while finishing first and second in even-strength goals for (Walker- 8, Miller- 7). Miller did this while logging over 24 minutes per game, 2:31 more than Jaccob Slavin. This postseason, Miller has eight points, all assists, which puts him tied for eighth among all defensemen.
Second Star: During his decade with the Winnipeg Jets, Nikolaj Ehlers garnered a small reputation for not being the best playoff performer. He experienced a slow start against Ottawa before missing Game 4 of the series. Business picked up a little against Philadelphia, but it still wasn't moving the needle much. In the Eastern Conference Finals, Ehlers finally showed out.
Ehlers led all skaters in the series with five points, doing his damage in bunches. His arrival in the series came in Game 2, scoring two goals, including the overtime winner. Ehlers added two assists during the first period of Game 4, setting up Sebastian Aho on the power play and earning the secondary helper on Jordan Staal's goal. Ehlers added another power-play assist in Game 5.
First Star: From start to finish, the Hurricanes' fourth line might've been their best. William Carrier and Mark Jankowski finished with a trio of assists each, but my top star of the series goes to Eric Robinson. After failing to convert on numerous chances during the first two series, the puck finally started going into the net at the right time.
He picked up his first goal in Game 1, scoring on a breakaway to give the team a little life. Robinson added the opening goal in Game 2 with a soft redirection. He helped create the opening goal in Game 3 and added another breakaway tally in Game 5 to put Montreal away in the first period. Robinson's three goals paced the team in the series, proving that the Canes' depth was too much for the Habs.
Add us as a preferred source on Google