The Carolina Hurricanes have gotten off to one of the most remarkable starts in NHL playoff history. Their 7-0 start has come on the heels of a historic run by netminder Frederik Andersen.
Andersen has had a tough time over the last few seasons. Since starting 52 games for the Hurricanes in 2021-22, he’s dealt with injuries, limiting his ice time.
This season, he seemingly bounced back by playing 35 regular-season games. He came in to support standout rookie Brandon Bussi. But Frederik Andersen didn’t really have that good of a regular season.
In 35 starts, he posted a 3.05 GAA and an .874 SV%. The numbers didn’t seem too encouraging. But they were good enough to help the Hurricanes land the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
That all changed in the postseason. It’s as if someone had flipped a switch. Andersen has played in all seven Carolina Hurricanes games this postseason. He has recorded a mind-shocking 1.02 GAA and a .957 SV% to go with two shutouts.
Those numbers belong to another dimension entirely. And it’s one of the major reasons why the Canes are undefeated in this year’s NHL playoffs.
But just how do Frederik Andersen’s numbers stack up historically? That’s a very interesting situation to discuss.
Frederik Andersen on Pace to Set NHL Playoff Record
As it stands, the Carolina Hurricanes netminder is on pace to set an NHL playoff record. His current .957 SV% in a single postseason is second to Bernie Parent. Parent set the mark during the 1967-68 postseason for the Philadelphia Flyers.
That record, however, may have a bit of an asterisk next to it. Parent only played five games in that postseason. A more impressive mark would be Jonathan Quick’s .946 SV% in 20 games during the LA Kings’ 2012 Stanley Cup run.
Quick’s mark seems more impressive, considering that the bulk of the goalies ahead of Quick, like Frederik Andersen, played less than 10 games.
As for GAA, Andersen tops the list at the moment. And the next-ranked goalie isn’t even close. Marty Turco of the Dallas Stars sported a 1.30 GAA in seven games during the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs.
If Andersen can hold up his current pace, he could easily coast by everyone on the current list.
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Hurricanes, Andersen on a Mission
Last season, Frederik Andersen and the Carolina Hurricanes ran out in the Eastern Conference Final. They smashed up against the wall that was the Florida Panthers.
But this year, it seems the Hurricanes are on a mission. Most notably, the Panthers are no longer a part of the equation. That reality opens up a clear path for the Hurricanes to take it all this season.
If and when the Hurricanes make it out of the Eastern Conference side of the bracket, they stand to meet the other undefeated playoff team this season: The Colorado Avalanche. While the Avalanche’s goaltending hasn’t been nearly as impressive, it seems that Colorado and Carolina are on a collision course.
It will be quite a treat to see if Frederik Andersen’s record SV% and GAA can hold up against the juggernaut that Colorado has been this season.
Frederik Andersen Leading Carolina Hurricanes in Historic Run