Metropolitan Division Preview: Rebuilding Carolina Hurricanes a Non-Factor this Season

Carolina Hurricanes forward Victor Rask (49) celebrates his at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Last season wasn’t a great one, in terms of stats, for the Hurricanes.

Overall, the team went 30-41-11 with 71 points, finishing eighth in the division, 26th overall in the NHL.

The team scored .835 goals less in their regular season games, allowing 219 goals while scoring 183.

However, the Hurricanes did lead the NHL in fewest Power Play Goals Allowed with 29. Their Penalty Kill Unit ranked fourth with 84.74 percent when down at least one player.

James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Another positive is their winning percentage at the faceoff dot. Last season, they won 53.0 percent when in the circle, which was good to rank them third in the NHL. Meaning, they were able to start play with the puck in their possession, which makes life easier for a team by taking the offensive approach.

Goaltending was suspect, where it felt like there was no true starter in goal. Cam Ward started 50 games for the Hurricanes, while going 22-24, carrying a .910 save percentage, five shutouts. However, he yielded 121 goals, which ranked him the middle of the pack of all starting goaltenders.

Against the New York Rangers, the Hurricanes went winless in five games against their Division rival (two at home, three away).

It was actually a close series in four of the five games. Despite the numbers being lopsided, three of the games required shootouts. And the two games that were finished in regulation, one was a 4-1 game and the other, 1-0.

In the series, the Hurricanes were outshot by the Rangers 130-165, outscored in goals 6-13, and going one for 12 on the Power Play.

However, they did out-work the Blueshirts on the Penalty Kill going 12 for 13 when shorthanded, and won 57 percent of total faceoffs.

The Hurricanes best player in the series was defenseman Ryan Murphy with three points (one goal, two assists), and a time-on ice of 21:00 minutes.

Next: Best Player in Regular Season