Hurricanes-Rangers: Key statistics for Stanley Cup Qualifier series

NHL.com goes Behind the Numbers to identify key statistics for each of the eight best-of-5 series in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers. Today, a look at the matchup between the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers.

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Shot attempts differential

The Carolina Hurricanes were third in the NHL with a plus-513 shot attempts differential, and the New York Rangers ranked 28th at minus-418. The statistic calculates shots, missed shots and blocked shots during 5-on-5 play, so this signifies that the Hurricanes hold the upper hand against their opponents by controlling more of the possession. This could hurt the Rangers, who have relied heavily on their offense this season, ranking fifth in the NHL at 3.33 goals per game.

Special teams

The Hurricanes also appear to hold an advantage in special teams, ranking fourth in the League on the penalty kill (84 percent) and eighth on the power play (22.3 percent). Though the Rangers have a slight edge with the man-advantage (seventh at 22.9 percent), that is offset by their penalty kill, which is tied for 23rd with the Los Angeles Kings (77.4 percent). In a best-of-5 series, capitalizing on power-play opportunities will be key, so this should be a focus for the Rangers prior to Game 1. However, the hard part about shutting down the Hurricanes on the man-advantage is that they have six skaters who have scored at least four power-play goals. Goalie Igor Shesterkin could be the answer New York is looking for, though. He was tied for fourth in save percentage when facing the opposition's power play with Mike Smith of the Edmonton Oilers (.915, minimum 10 games).

Save percentage

If Shesterkin does get the nod for the Rangers, his .932 save percentage, which was second in the NHL behind Chris Driedger of the Florida Panthers (.938, minimum 10 games), would give them a positional advantage over the Hurricanes. Petr Mrazek (.905) and James Reimer (.914) will be competing for Carolina's No. 1 job, and if the Hurricanes decide to go with Mrazek, they will likely need him to have a better save percentage than he did against the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference First Round last season (.899). That could be a tall task against an explosive Rangers offense that features forwards Artemi Panarin, who was tied for third in in the League in points with David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins (95), and Mika Zibanejad, who was fifth in goals with 41. Fortunately for the Hurricanes, they should be healthy at defenseman with the expected return of Dougie Hamilton (fractured left fibula) and debut of Sami Vatanen (lower-body injury) when the qualifier series begins.

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