Analyzing Carolina Hurricanes' Performance vs. Eastern Opponents Since 2011
The Carolina Hurricanes' 4-1 loss in Madison Square Garden on Saturday night continued a streak of abysmal ineptitude against the New York Rangers.
The 'Canes have lost 15 of their last 16 meetings against the Blueshirts, dating back to the spring of 2011, and have been outscored 55-27 in those 16 games.
Their complete inability to compete with their now-Metropolitan Division rivals has been remarkable, but the Rangers aren't the only team with a clear historical pattern of success or failure against Carolina.
How have the Hurricanes fared against each Eastern Conference team—including Detroit and Columbus, which entered the conference in 2013, and excluding Winnipeg—since the start of the 2011-12 season? A team-by-team breakdown lies on the following slides.
Boston Bruins
Combined Record: 6-5-1
Combined Goals: 30-33
The 'Canes swept the Bruins in all four 2011-12 meetings, including a memorable 4-1 win featuring five misconducts and a plethora of fights, but have understandably struggled against Boston since.
A 2-1 shootout win in January ended a 1-5-1 stretch against the Bruins, who had outscored the Hurricanes 14-5 over the two teams' previous four meetings.
Buffalo Sabres
Combined Record: 8-2-2
Combined Goals: 42-30
The 'Canes haven't lost a season series to Buffalo since 2006-07 and have had even more success against the NHL's existing doormat in recent years.
Carolina swept the Sabres in 2012-13, then outshot their western N.Y. rivals 126-70 in winning two of three meetings last season.
The Hurricanes' 5-2 win on Jan. 8 of this season has jump-started what was a woefully struggling offense into a respectable unit; the 'Canes have scored 20 goals in eight games since after scoring just nine in the eight games directly prior.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Combined Record: 4-3-1
Combined Goals: 19-22
Historically a major enigma for the Hurricanes in cross-conference play, the Blue Jackets' move to the East two years ago has changed the dynamic between the two teams.
A rousing 3-2 comeback victory in January 2014 ended a losing streak against Columbus that had lasted more than eight years. The 'Canes have now won four of their last five versus the Jackets, including both meetings in 2014-15.
Detroit Red Wings
Combined Record: 1-3-1
Combined Goals: 12-16
The Hurricanes haven't had the same success against the Red Wings since their conference switch, however.
Detroit has succeeded in four of five tries to down the 'Canes over the past four seasons, including a thrilling overtime win that spoiled the Hurricanes' 2013-14 home opener. They've outshot Carolina 186-130 during that time span.
Florida Panthers
Combined Record: 6-6-2
Combined Goals: 31-33
In their last full season in the Southeast Division (2011-12), the 'Canes lost five of six games between the then-division rivals, as the Panthers surged to a surprising division title.
It's been a different story since, with the 'Canes sweeping the Cats and allowing just three goals in three meetings in 2013-14.
However, Roberto Luongo returned the favor with a 33-save, 1-0 shutout win over Carolina this past November in one of Carolina's most frustrating losses in the season to date.
Montreal Canadiens
Combined Record: 3-8-1
Combined Goals: 21-41
Few teams have proved their ability to dominate the 'Canes in recent years more than the Canadiens have.
The Habs are 7-0-1 against the Hurricanes since the start of 2012-13; five of their seven wins, moreover, boasted a deficit of three or more goals (the other two wins were by two goals).
Carolina has neither won nor outscored the Canadiens in a season series since the 2008-09 campaign.
New Jersey Devils
Combined Record: 5-8-0
Combined Goals: 33-42
Despite the Devils' struggles of recent seasons, New Jersey has consistently maintained superiority in one-on-one meetings with Carolina.
The Devils entered this ongoing season with seven wins in their last 11 games against the Hurricanes; unlike many other clubs, they had even done so with a significant possession edge, registering more shots on goal than the 'Canes in seven consecutive season series.
The Hurricanes have recorded sizable shot differentials of 40-16 and 33-19 in two meetings this season, conversely, winning once.
New York Islanders
Combined Record: 6-5-2
Combined Goals: 41-43
The Hurricanes and Islanders sport an exciting and streaky recent history, with the two teams combining for an average of almost 6.5 goals per game in their 17 meetings over the last five seasons.
The 'Canes swept the Isles in all four games in 2010-11. Then the Isles swept the 'Canes in all four games in 2011-12. Then the 'Canes swept the Isles in all three games in 2012-13 and won three of four in 2013-14. Then the Isles won both ends of a home-and-home set to open the 2014-15 campaign.
The two teams will meet twice again later this month. Expect fireworks.
New York Rangers
Combined Record: 1-10-4
Combined Goals: 24-51
A 3-1 win last March continues to stand as the Hurricanes' lone win in their last 16 games against the Rangers, 15 of which occurred in the past four seasons.
The 'Canes led in the third period twice in four games this season but were unable to ever emerge with two points in hand. The Rangers have outshot the Hurricanes by an average of eight shots on goal per game over the past two years.
At least the 'Canes have faceoffs down: They've won 56.5 percent of draws against the Blueshirts over the past four seasons.
Ottawa Senators
Combined Record: 7-2-2
Combined Goals: 29-22
Casual Raleigh hockey fans hoping to attend a hometown team win should circle Senators-Hurricanes games at PNC Arena on the calendar every year.
The 'Canes have won not only seven of their last nine overall but also 10 of their last 11 at home against the Sens. They haven't lost in regulation to Ottawa in Raleigh since December 2007.
The matchup has proved particularly favorable for Carolina goaltenders, with Cam Ward and friends posting a combined .938 save percentage in their last 11 games against the Senators.
Philadelphia Flyers
Combined Record: 6-6-1
Combined Goals: 34-43
Carolina has quietly now won five of its last six against Philadelphia, including a four-game sweep in 2013-14 and a home win last month.
The one anomaly is a 5-1 rout in Pennsylvania this past December, but the 'Canes have recently developed a winning rhythm against the Flyers. The team's last five victories in this matchup have all been by a single goal.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Combined Record: 4-8-2
Combined Goals: 37-46
Carolina has won exactly one game against Pittsburgh for five straight seasons, although it will get an opportunity to defeat the Penguins for the second time in 2014-15 next month.
The Pens, perennially one of the conference's top regular-season performers, have largely had their way against the 'Canes. Although not dominant to the extent of their Manhattan rivals, the Penguins have lost out on few points against the Hurricanes over the past half-decade.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Combined Record: 5-10-2
Combined Goals: 37-57
Last week's 4-2 win on national television at least partially ended Carolina's 1-8-1 streak against the Lightning that dated back to 2012-13.
The Bolts had absolutely crushed the 'Canes over that stretch, outscoring them by a brutal 35-14 margin and winning five straight at PNC Arena.
Ben Bishop is still 5-1 lifetime against Carolina and looks secured as Tampa Bay's No. 1 goaltender for years to come, however, meaning plenty more struggles could be ahead for the 'Canes in this matchup.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Combined Record: 9-2-1
Combined Goals: 40-25
It's likely the 'Canes enjoy facing the Maple Leafs more than any other Eastern Conference opponent, for it's always hard to complain about winning.
With 19 of 24 possible points in hand from the foes' last dozen meetings, that's exactly what Carolina has consistently done to their Canadian neighbors.
The 'Canes have walloped the Leafs by a 14-3 score in their last three games (all 'Canes wins).
Washington Capitals
Combined Record: 7-9-2
Combined Goals: 46-49
The closest thing the Hurricanes have to a legitimate rival is also the opponent the Hurricanes have played the most frequently over the past four seasons.
While perhaps not the most fan-friendly rivalry around—the road team has won eight of the last 10 meetings between the Caps and 'Canes—games between the two squads do always seem to be competitive and intense.
Both 2014-15 matches have been won by Washington in the closing minutes of regulation or in overtime. They'll meet twice more during the remainder of the campaign: Feb. 27 in Raleigh and March 31 in D.C.