How the Panthers, Jets, Hurricanes and Kings Can Go Deep in NHL Playoffs on Defense

Connor Hellebuyck and David Rittich James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports

If you look at the NHL’s best defensive teams this season, the Florida Panthers, Winnipeg Jets, Carolina Hurricanes and Los Angeles Kings all have the potential to go deep in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

These four clubs limit goals against unlike any other squad this season, with the Panthers leading the way at 2.46 goals against per game. The Jets are at 2.47, while the Hurricanes are at 2.54. The Kings round up the top four with 2.58.

That success in the back end will play a crucial role in winning against the league’s toughest teams in the post-season. That said, their defensive domination doesn’t all come the same way.

Florida Panthers and Winnipeg Jets: Supreme Starters

For Winnipeg and Florida, there’s no question about who their goaltender will be once the post-season begins.

Jets superstar Connor Hellebuyck has a 2.42 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in 58 appearances. His 35 wins are tied for the second-most in the league, and while his defense in front of him has played a part in limiting goals, Hellebuyck’s 31.4 goals saved above expected leads the NHL, per moneypuck.com.

Panthers counterpart Sergei Bobrovsky (2.43 GAA, .913 SP in 56 appearances) will be the starter come playoff time. Antony Stolarz is an effective backup with a .936 SP and 1.93 GAA, but 35-year-old Bobrovsky has seen some of his best stats since 2018 and has the playoff experience and clutch factor, as seen last post-season when he led Florida most of the way to the final.

Carolina Hurricanes: Terrific Tandem

The Hurricanes have got sparkling goaltending from veteran Frederik Andersen (1.83 GAA, .931 SP in 15 appearances) after his return from a lengthy injury absence. But youngster Pyotr Kochetkov (2.34 GAA, .911 SP in 41 appearances) has also played well this season and could be called on in the post-season if Andersen falters or is hurt again.

Carolina also has arguably the NHL’s deepest, most balanced defense corps, featuring Brady Skjei, Jaccob Slavin, Brent Burns and Brett Pesce. The Hurricanes have an all-around great attack, but you’d better believe coach Rod Brind’Amour is focusing on his team’s play off the puck as the key driver of Carolina’s success.

Los Angeles Kings: Trusting the System

Similarly to the Hurricanes, the Kings have leaned on two goalies – veteran Cam Talbot (2.49 GAA, .915 SP in 51 appearances) and David Rittich (2.21 GAA, .919 SP in 23 appearances).

The tandem approach has worked well for them, but unlike the Hurricanes, the Kings employ a 1-3-1 defensive approach that has delivered positive results. The neutral zone trap isn’t aesthetically pleasing, but it gets the task at hand accomplished, and it’s tailor-made for the playoffs. Kings interim coach Jim Hiller is coaching for his job the rest of the season, and he’s going to go with the defensive setup that gives his group a chance to win every night.

The Key to Limiting Mistakes

When you watch enough playoff hockey over the years, you realize that playoff success is about minimizing your defensive mistakes instead of outscoring your issues.

The Jets and Panthers rely on their goalies to bail them out of defensive zone pressure, while the Kings use their trap to put them over the top night in and night out, and the Hurricanes lean on their collection of blueliners to beat opponents more often than not.

Time will tell which approach has the most consistent success, but in the meantime, the opponents of Florida, Winnipeg, Carolina and Los Angeles are in for a very tough defensive battle in the games and weeks ahead.

You still need a potent offense to hold up their end of the bargain, but without the defensive talent the Jets, Hurricanes, Kings and Panthers have, you’re not likely to go far in the post-season. While there’s no one way you have to play defense to get the job done, if you think you can outplay playoff teams strictly via offense, you’re highly likely to be mistaken. Taking care of your own zone is what ultimately makes the difference between winning and losing, and this season, Winnipeg, Florida, L.A. and Carolina are proving to be masters of their defensive craft.