Why the Hurricanes are close to eliminating the Capitals from the NHL playoffs
Every NHL coach in the Stanley Cup playoffs, from Rod Brind’Amour to Paul Maurice, has the same check list/wish list:
▪ Stay healthy.
▪ Win special teams.
▪ Consistent five-on-five play.
▪ Contributions from everyone.
▪ Timely goaltender saves.
So far for the Carolina Hurricanes, the boxes have been pretty much checked. That’s why they’ll go into Game 5 against the Washington Capitals on Thursday with a 3-1 lead in the second-round series and the chance to close it out and move into the Eastern Conference final.
The Hurricanes have been without major injuries. Goalie Frederik Andersen did miss a game after his collision in net with forward Timo Meier of the New Jersey Devils, and forward Mark Jankowski has been out a few games with an undisclosed injury that Brind’Amour has indicated is not serious. That’s it.
The Canes’ penalty killing has been spot on – 25 of 27 kills. The power play has produced nine goals. All five of the Canes’ goals in a 5-2 win Monday in Game 4 came at even strength.
The Canes, rolling four lines in waves, have gotten seven goals in nine playoff games from Andrei Svechnikov but also big goals from Eric Robinson and Jack Roslovic. Defenseman Sean Walker scored another big one Monday for a 4-2 lead in the third period after the Caps had made a push. Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere had the game’s first goal, always important.
“We need everyone,” defenseman Dmitry Orlov said Monday after the game. “Sometimes, it’s different guys who make a nice play, but we need everyone.”
But it has been Andersen, the guy they call “Fredzilla,” who has been the difference in the playoffs and against the Caps. In his eight playoff games, the big Dane has a 6-2 record with a 1.41 goals-against average.
His .935 save percentage is the best of any goalie with more than one playoff game, and he has a .933 save percentage against high-danger shots.
“I think it’s apparent the confidence he’s giving us,” Walker said Monday. “We can play a lot more aggressive. Mistakes are going to happen but he’s been bailing us out tons.
“We don’t want to rely on him as much as we have (with) some of the Grade A (scoring chances) we’re giving up. But he’s playing really well and giving us a chance every game.”
Each game, Andersen has turned back the Caps’ early thrusts, whether it be denying Tom Wilson on a first-shift breakaway or Taylor Raddysh at point-blank range in the slot or whatever threat he has faced in patrolling the crease.
Andersen, who always portrays a calm, almost stoic demeanor, has not faced a ton of rubber in the series but has kept the Canes from having to play from behind early in games.
“He has done a nice job of always seemingly staying ready,” Brind’Amour said Tuesday. “You have to be a pro about it and for me that’s what he has done real well for us, being steady.”
The Caps had 21 shots in Game 4 at the Lenovo Center. They scored on two of their six shots in the third period – the second a 5-on-3 goal by Alexander Ovechkin, who finally found a way to get the puck past Andersen.
At times, inactivity in net can be discomforting for a goaltender. They like to talk about “feeling the puck” and settling in and maintaining focus, and not being caught napping when there’s little action in the zone and then a sudden breakaway or odd-man rush.
“You just try to be ready for that next save,” Andersen said. “I guess you can say that every time, and it’s a cliche, but just try to be in the moment, make the save. You don’t get to choose when you get a shot-against as a goalie. You just have to be ready for it.”
Andersen, who now has played in 80 playoff games, never appears flustered. He remains composed, his face a blank, even when he does allow a goal.
Canes backup goalie Pyotr Kochetkov is more the combative type who will show his emotions at times. Andersen does not.
“Our goalies are polar opposites in that regard,” Brind’Amour said. “You’ve got to be who you are, you’ve got to know who you are. (Anderson) is real comfortable in that and that’s what makes him successful.”
Andersen, 35, is one of the Canes players along with a Brent Burns or a Taylor Hall who have put in a lot of good years in the league without winning a Cup. They’re willing to do what’s needed to get through playoffs that “drag on” for two months, as Brind’Amour put it, to get to where they want to go.
“That’s what all hockey players know,” Brind’Amour said, “that it is worth it.”
This story was originally published May 14, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
