New York Rangers rivals: Carolina Hurricanes season preview

Key questions for the Hurricanes

Are they really as good as they were in the playoffs? – The Hurricanes were an inspiration last spring and after years of being proclaimed ready to make hay in the playoffs, they finally did.  The question is whether they will revert to the Hurricanes of old and miss the postseason or are they ready to become perennial playoff contenders?  They’ve had a solid, young core for years, but last season they put it all together. Will it continue?

Goaltending, goaltending, goaltending – This is the question that has dogged the Hurricanes for years.  Can the tandem of Mrazek and Reimer pull off what Mrazek and McEIhinny did last season?    So far so good, but the Hurricanes will live and die based on their netminding.

Is the defense as good as it was a year ago?  Last season the top six were Jacob Slavin, De Haan, Faulk, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Dougie Hamilton and Brett Pesce.   They have replaced Faulk and De Haan with Jake Gardiner and Joel Edmundson.  While that may be an offensive upgrade, it will not improve their overall defense.   Haydn Fleury has stepped into replace Van Riemsdyk who is recovering from shoulder surgery.  They question is whether a team strength has been weakened.

Are they in cap trouble?  The Hurricanes have just over $1 million in cap space. They are in this situation because they traded for and bought out Patrick Marleau whose $6 million salary is sitting on Carolina’s books.  They will have to make a move if they want to sign Justin Williams.  Next season they have Haula, Van Riemsdyk and Edmundson hitting free agency and some key young players getting to RFA status.

When you can see them

The four games with the Hurricanes are spread pretty evenly through the Rangers schedule. They visit Raleigh on November 7 after playing Detroit the night before.  The Hurricanes make their first trip to New York on Thanksgiving Eve, November 27.

Exactly one month later, on December 27, Carolina comes back to the Garden for the Rangers first game after the Christmas break.

The last meeting is on Friday, February 21 with the trade deadline looming only three days away. It will be interesting to see who will be buyers and who will be sellers.

The Rangers have made a habit of beating the crap out of the Hurricanes.  Since the 2011-12 season, they team have played 32 games and the Rangers have won 27 of them.  That is what is called domination.  They actually swept the season series five times in the last eight years. The Blueshirts will want to get back on that winning track after splitting the season series last season.