Carolina Hurricanes: Everything you need to know before the playoffs begin

The Carolina Hurricanes have struggled recently with their schedule, but they are still as dangerous as ever. The Hurricanes were February's hottest team, but have struggled to win consistently. For one of the team’s with the most scoring depth, that can all change on a dime heading into the playoffs.

Here’s a look at where the Carolina Hurricanes stand as they contend for the NHL playoffs

Forwards

Depth, depth and more depth. The Carolina Hurricanes have some of the best depth seen in the NHL, and it could prove beneficial for a long playoff run. Having a fourth line of Seth Jarvis, Paul Stastny, and Derek Stepan, all when their two best players are out with injuries, is extremely impressive.

Sebastian Aho is the name to point to for the best player in the forward group, but it’s certainly not a one-man show. There’s goal scoring talent all across the lineup. The Hurricanes have also got a very good season out of Martin Necas, who has developed into the top-line winger that "Canes" fans had always hoped for. The Hurricanes can score goals and in bunches, meaning they will be one of the most dangerous teams in the NHL come playoff time.

Defensemen

Anyone who may have had any doubts as to whether Brent Burns was over the hill before this season has been proved wrong. Burns leads the Carolina Hurricanes in defensive point shares. In fact, each of the Canes' six defensemen lead the team’s top six in defensive point shares. There are no standout Norris Trophy candidates, but they have been able to avoid the injury bug enough to develop chemistry.

The Hurricanes don’t lack experience either. All the blue liners that they have are 28 years old or older. That points to the one word that has defined this Hurricanes group from the outset: responsibility.

Goalies

The Carolina Hurricanes have leaned on seasoned veterans Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta almost equally all season. Neither have really struggled, giving the Hurricanes depth for a possible playoff run. Andersen has a save percentage of .903 and a GAA of 2.47. Antti Raanta has been slightly better this year in a smaller sample size with a .907 save percentage and a GAA of 2.32.

The Hurricanes also have a youngster that has gotten significant time this season in 23-year-old Pyotr Kochetkov. Kochetkov has only played 24 games for the Hurricanes, but won half of them while sporting a .909 save percentage and a GAA of 2.44. If the Hurricanes have to deal with another injury, they definitely won’t be ill advised in at least considering Kochetkov to jump in over one of the other two.