Most Canes fans know Curtis McElhinney as the hero of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. After Petr Mrazek went down in Game 2 against the Islanders, McElhinney came in and won three straight games for the Canes.
Before I talk more about Curtie, as I like to call him, let me tell you where he came from.
McElhinney is a journeyman goalie who just happened to find his way to the Canes, the seventh team he has played for in his eleven-year NHL career. He started with the Calgary Flames, with whom he went 0-2 with a .902 save percentage and 2.00 GAA in five games played (one start).
After three seasons with the Flames, McElhinney played two years with the Anaheim Ducks, with whom he started 23/31 games for, posting an 11-10 record.
At the end of his second season with the Ducks, McElhinney played with the Ottawa Senators, where in seven games played (six starts), he went 3-4.
McElhinney did not last long in Ottawa, and played only two games the next season for the Arizona (then-Phoenix) Coyotes, starting one of them, and winning that lone start.
The following season, McElhinney was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he spent the next four seasons. In his four seasons in Columbus, McElhinney appeared in 85 games, starting 71 of them, and recording a 26-32 record.
In his fourth season with the Blue Jackets, McElhinney was placed on waivers, and the Toronto Maple Leafs claimed him, due to a need for a backup goalie. In his two seasons with the Leafs, McElhinney appeared in 32 games, starting 25 of them, and recording a 17-12 record. His time with the Maple Leafs was best known for making a highlight-reel save on Sidney Crosby that helped the Leafs earn a playoff berth.
McElhinney, however, was placed on waivers once again, this time by the Leafs. Due to Garrett Sparks winning the backup goalie job for Toronto, McElhinney was not needed in Toronto.
This is where McElhinney’s Carolina Hurricanes career begins. After our former starting goalie, Scott Darling, went down with an injury, the Canes claimed him off waivers from Toronto. To date, this past regular season has been McElhinney’s best: 33 games appeared in (all starts), 20 wins (career high), 2.58 GAA, .912 SV%, and a couple of highlight-reel saves that prevented the Islanders from taking the lead in the last round.
The Canes are one of the few teams in the league that have the luxury of having two starting goaltenders. Pairing McElhinney and Petr Mrazek has been a blessing in disguise. Neither of these goalies were on the Canes last year, and the goaltending was a question mark coming into this season.
McElhinney and Mrazek, however, have been a big reason, if not the biggest reason, why the Canes are sitting just a mere hour from face-off in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Bruins. The Canes have an excellent offense this year, something they have not experienced in quite a while. The defense is much more aggressive and physical, something that has been lacking in years past.
The goaltending is the secret sauce. The backbone of this team. The reason our Canes are one series away from the Stanley Cup Finals. Mrazek was practicing in net for the Canes earlier today (and this week), and having both Mrazek and McElhinney could spell trouble for the Bruins.
Curtis McElhinney. Remember the name.
Take Warning.
