After trades, Rangers and Devils are ready to topple Hurricanes

What has recently tripped up the Canes in the playoffs is scoring and goaltending. Over the past two postseasons, Carolina has a combined goal differential of minus-2. In the second round alone, it drops to minus-12. Against the Rangers last year, the Hurricanes only scored more than two goals once in seven games and gave up more than two goals four times.

Both of the teams behind Carolina are strong in at least one of the areas where the Hurricanes have historically lacked and have bolstered their lineups at the deadline.

On Sunday, the Devils acquired forward Timo Meier from the San Jose Sharks for a blockbuster package of players, prospects and picks. 

Meier, 26, joins stars like Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier on an explosive and young Devils roster looking to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2017-18 season. Meier was the top name on the trade market this season and, to add insult to injury, was strongly tied to Carolina prior to the trade to New Jersey.

The Devils have also gotten above-average goaltending from Vitek Vanecek, who has posted a 2.37 GAA and 6.0 goals saved above expected.

Earlier this month, the New York Rangers brought in forward Vladimir Tarasenko from the St. Louis Blues and are expected to trade for Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane closer to the deadline. The addition of two all-time snipers to an already-loaded front end that includes Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin gives New York much-needed scoring depth going into the playoffs.

The Rangers also have reigning Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin between the pipes. Shesterkin has struggled of late but is still among the league leaders in wins, goals saved above expected and wins above replacement.

With the current NHL playoff format, the Hurricanes could avoid the Devils and Rangers in the first round if they hold on and win the division but would have to face the winner of the New York-New Jersey series in the second round. That could spell trouble for Carolina.