Carolina Hurricanes Month in Review: December 2022

It was a December to remember for the Carolina Hurricanes. History was rewritten in many different ways as the team put together one of the most remarkable months ever. For many, November was a low point for the team after going on a five-game losing streak and not getting the results we're accustomed to seeing from them under Rod Brind'Amour. In December, this fanbase wouldn't have to worry about losing much. The most impressive part of these streaks was that they did it largely without Sebastian Aho in the lineup with an injury that forced him out for seven games. The end result was a month full of winning and fun for everyone involved and emotionally invested. Here's a look back at December for the Hurricanes. 

The Month in Review Through Headlines

12/1 at St. Louis- "It's a Marty Party"- Martinook notches his second-career hat trick, including two goals in the third period, and Kochetkov earns the win in relief in a 6-4 victory over the Blues.

12/3 at Los Angeles- "Dethroning the Kings"- The Canes move their win streak to four games as they jump on the Kings early and hold on in the end to win 4-2.

12/6 at Anaheim- "What the Duck!"- Despite earning a point, the Canes lose their win streak with a dud of a game against the Ducks to close the western portion of the road trip.

12/10 at New York (I)- "A Long Night on the Island"- A suffocating effort from the Canes earns them a shutout victory as they keep the Islanders in check to earn Kochetkov his second shutout of the season.

12/13 at Detroit- "Detroit, Rook City"- Kochetkov pitches his second-straight shutout, stopping 27 shots, and a Brady Skjei power-play goal would be enough for a 1-0 victory over the Red Wings. 

12/15 v. Seattle- "The Streak is Over"- While the shutout streak comes to an end, the Canes win another game as their three-goal lead stands in a 3-2 win against the Kraken.

12/17 v. Dallas- "More of This One, Please"- Two of the league's best teams needed extra time as Svechnikov and Necas combined on the overtime winner in a 5-4 victory for the Canes. 

12/18 v. Pittsburgh- "Staal Bunyon Finds a Way"- The Canes score twice in the third period to complete the comeback as the captain scores the eventual winner against his former team.

12/20 v. New Jersey- "The New Leader in the Clubhouse"- Kochetkov steals a game for the Canes by stopping 37 shots as the Canes overtake the Devils for the top spot in the Metro with their 20th win.

12/22 at Pittsburgh- "Defense Drives the Bus"- For the second time in as many meetings, Staal scores a goal against the Penguins, this time to force overtime, before Slavin finishes it in overtime.

12/23 v. Philadelphia- "A Little Too Close for Comfort"- Though they almost blew a four-goal lead, the Canes hold on to a 6-5 victory to set the new franchise mark with points in their 14th straight game.

12/27 v. Chicago- "Blackhawks Down"- The Canes shut out the Blackhawks for the second time with another 3-0 victory as they run their winning streak to nine games, tying the franchise record.

12/30 v. Florida- "De-Clawing the Cats"- The power play strikes three times and Raanta posts back-to-back shutouts as the Canes set a new franchise record with their tenth straight win to close 2022. 

Other Notes

• 12-0-1, 25 points in December, leading the league in wins and points for the month
• Per the Hurricanes PR- This is the 2nd month in franchise history with at least five games that the Canes didn't lose a game in regulation (October 2021- 8-0-0) and 25 points in a month are tied for the second most in franchise history (March 2017- 10-2-5, behind only January 2006- 13-1-0)
• 24-6-6, 54 points overall, second in the league in points and 1st in the Metropolitan Division
• 6 points ahead of New Jersey, 9 points ahead of Washington, 10 points ahead of Pittsburgh, and both New York teams
• 5 points behind Boston for most in the league
• +22 goal differential in December, best in the league
• 49 goals, T-3rd in the league/27 goals allowed, fewest in the league
• 4 Shutouts, most in the league
• Broke franchise record with points in 14 straight games (currently 16 games- 11/25-present) and ten straight wins (12/10-present)
• 10-for-40 (25%) on the PP, 10th in the league/19.2% overall, 25th in the league
• 38-for-45 (84.4% on the PK, 6th in the league/81.6% overall, 9th in the league
• Per the Hurricanes PR- Pyotr Kochetkov & Antti Raanta each posted back-to-back this month, the first time in franchise history two different goalies have done so in the same season and the 8th time it has happened in NHL history

Three Stars of the Month

Third Star- Stefan Noesen (5 Goals, 3 Assists, 8 Points in 13 Games)

There are a ton of guys that likely deserve to be in this spot or amongst the top three in general. I put Noesen in this spot for being one of the most consistent guys through all 13 games this month. He finished T-12th in the league with 3 PPGs and T-2nd on the team with five goals and four power-play points. He saw some time in the top six with Aho out of the lineup and he played well. He's proven he can slot in anywhere in the lineup and thrive.

Second Star- Jordan Staal (6 Goals, 5 Assists, 11 points in 13 Games)

No player scored more goals than the captain did for the team this month but it's the timing of his goals that were more important. Five of his six goals were either game-tying (2) or game-winning goals (3). He did some of his best work against division opponents, with eight points against the Metropolitan Division. He was a nightmare for his former team, scoring in both games against Pittsburgh. Only Burns had more points than him for the team this month as he put together his best month of the season.

First Star- Pyotr Kochetkov (7-0-1, .939 SV%, 1.63 GAA, 2 SHO in 8 Games)

While he didn't play in the final four games of the month, we were all living in Kochetkov's world in December. He wasn't just good by team standards, he was one of the best goalies in the league for the month. He finished T-1st in shutouts (2), 2nd in GAA, 4th in SV%, and T-4th in wins. He's second to Linus Ullmark in both GAA and SV% for the entire season, broke the franchise record shutout streak for a rookie with his back-to-back shutouts on 12/10 and 12/13, and has points in ten straight appearances. The icing on the cake was one of the most incredible bench interviews we've ever seen. He should be the NHL Rookie of the Month as he plays himself into Calder consideration. 

January Preview

Schedule Breakdown

14 Games

8 Home, 6 Away

8 games v. East, 6 games v. West

7 games v. Metro, 1 game v. Atlantic, 3 games v. Central, 3 games v. Pacific

1 set of back-to-backs, both games at home

8 games v. playoff teams if the playoffs started today

No more than two straight games on the road, 2 3-game homestands

Games to Watch

1/1 at New Jersey, 1/10 v. New Jersey

These two teams spent all of December trending in opposite directions and it was fitting that the Canes beat the Devils to take control of the division. Even more ironic was that New Jersey played like the better team for most of the game. Nevertheless, the Canes came out victorious 4-1 in Raleigh. Within the first ten days of the new year, they'll meet twice, including in the first game of 2023. Right now, they're at the top of the division, but the Metropolitan Division is a gauntlet. The teams in second through sixth are separated by four points, so wins for the Canes could really put the Devils against the wall. 

1/3 at New York (R)

It feels like a crime that we've had to wait this long to see these two teams play, but we won't have to wait long in 2023. They'll meet at Madison Square Garden and I'm sure there is going to be some bad blood there, especially after New York sent the Canes home in Game 7 in front of the home crowd in Raleigh. It'll be the first time we see Vincent Trocheck on the other side after spending the last few seasons with the Canes. This is going to be a huge game for the Rangers as they battle the rest of the division as the odd team out of the playoffs. 

1/25 at Dallas

These teams only playing twice in a season isn't fair because they're two of the most exciting teams to watch in my opinion. Their game in Raleigh this past month was a back-and-forth fight that ultimately saw the Canes prevail in overtime. Dallas overcame two two-goal deficits to force the overtime session but Martin Necas and Andrei Svechnikov combined for the winner. Dallas' star players all showed up, especially Jason Robertson with his three assists. If these two met in the Stanley Cup Final, I wouldn't be opposed. 

1/29 v. Boston

While the loss to the Coyotes was the turning point for the Canes' season, the overtime loss to Boston on the road after blowing a two-goal lead likely played an important role too. The Canes controlled a good portion of the game before Boston clawed their way back into the game with three unanswered goals. With the game in Raleigh this time, the Canes will be able to control the matchups. I'm sure it'll be a friendly fight.