Ranking the Metropolitan Division: Carolina to Keep the Crown

Carolina Hurricanes

Last year: 52-21-9, 1st in the Metropolitan Division (lost in Eastern Conference Final)

Projected: 1st in the Metropolitan Division

Projected Finish*
1. CAR
2. NYR [Link]
3. NJD [Link]
4. PIT [Link]
5. NYI [Link]
6. WSH [Link]
7. CBJ [Link]
8. PHI [Link]
*Rankings calculated by KEVIN, a predictive learning model created by Rachel Doerrie

Keys to the Season

1. The duo of Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta hold steady: Despite an injury-riddled 2022-23 season, the Hurricanes decided to circle back to their goaltending tandem, who won the William M. Jennings Trophy just two seasons prior, re-signing both this offseason. The biggest key for the Hurricanes' success will be the two of them fighting off both Father Time and the injury bug for just a while longer.

2. The top-six stays healthy into the postseason: The Hurricanes were dealt a tremendous blow last season when both Andrei Svechnikov and Max Pacioretty suffered season-ending injuries before the playoffs. Despite that, they went all the way to the ECF and lost each of those games by just a single goal. If the entire top-six can stay healthy for Carolina, they should have the best odds to finally make it back to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006.

3. Seth Jarvis has a breakout season: From a strictly points-based standpoint, it was a down year for Jarvis. However, his overall game impact was still strong. It was also a necessary developmental year for Jarvis who took a hit to his scoring to restructure his entire game to become a more complete player. Now that he's made those improvements, the scoring rates should sky rocket as he gets more comfortable in his newly improved style.

Most-likely Scenario: Thanks to a healthy Andrei Svechnikov, the Hurricanes make another deep playoff run and break their ECF curse.

Worst-case Scenario: The goaltending bottoms out and they suffer another brutal injury in their top-six leading to a first-round exit.