Hurricanes Hold Best Record In Eastern Conference As November Ends

By AIDAN JENSEN

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How an NHL team plays in the regular season is extremely important, but what matters more is a deep run through the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Carolina Hurricanes are a perfect example. They’ve appeared in the past six postseasons, won the Metropolitan Division in three of the past four NHL seasons, but haven’t advanced to the Stanley Cup. Carolina has two Eastern Conference Finals appearances, but was swept in each.

If the Canes’ early-season 2024 success is any indication of how they’ll perform in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they’re on track for another good run – and hopefully more.

As of Friday, Nov. 29, Carolina leads the Eastern Conference with a 16-5-1 record and 33 points. The Canes already enjoyed an 8-game winning streak from October 22-November 7: starting with a overtime victory at the Edmonton Oilers, then winning their eighth-straight against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Colorado Avalanche ended Carolina’s winning streak in Denver on Nov. 9, but Carolina is 6-3 since, most recently beating the New York Rangers on Wednesday in Raleigh.

The Canes’ offseason moves were questioned, headlined by letting trade deadline acquisition Jake Guenztel walk, but their current roster is thoroughly exceeding expectations.

Martin Nečas, Carolina’s 2017 first-round draft pick is leading the entire NHL with 37 points (12 goals, 25 assists). Free-agent acquisition Jack Roslovic, who spent 2023-2024 between the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers, is tied with Nečas for a team-leading 12 goals. Pyotr Kochetkov, the Canes’ goalie of the future, is 10-2 with a 2.42 goals against average and .904 save percentage.

If Carolina can figure out a way to navigate the injury bug, which currently claims Kochetkov and goalie Frederik Andersen, it’ll be square come playoff time.