Examining the potential Achilles heel of each Metro Division team - Part 1

I dove into key flaws that could be cause for concern with the Hurricanes, Devils, and Islanders.

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Hockey is just around the corner. With that in mind, it’s time to ramp up the season preview content at Infernal Access.

Over the next couple of days, I’ll be looking at one potential key weakness that could prevent each Metro Divison team from getting where it wants to go.

I like to label said flaw the Achilles heel even though no team is otherwise perfect. No nitpicking, okay? Thank you!

Now let’s dive right in.

Carolina Hurricanes: Finishing

It feels like every year the biggest concern for the Hurricanes is their ability to convert chances and put the puck in the net when the games matter most.

They score plenty during the regular season. For the most part, though, producing goals has been a grind against high-end teams (or goalies) come playoff time.

Nobody will question their ability to control the run of play or suck the life out of opposing offenses. The goaltending tandem of Pyotr Kochetkov and Frederik Andersen is pretty strong as well.

This team just doesn’t have a ton of reliable finishers. Andrei Svechnikov, Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, and Martin Necas make for a strong ‘core four’ up front. Unfortunately, the offense is very top-heavy.

If any of the big guns go quiet – or are not available due to injury – I don’t see many reliable contributors ready to pick up the slack.

Last season the Hurricanes had Teuvo Teravainen (25G, 53P), Stefan Noesen (37P), Michael Bunting (36P in 60GP), and eventually Jake Guentzel (25P in 17GP) to rely on outside of their core guys. There isn’t the same kind of depth on this team.

Columbus Blue Jackets: N/A

What happened to Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Gaudreau, and the Gaudreau family is tragic.

Poking holes in the Blue Jackets’ roster while the organization, community, and families are mourning would be beyond ignorant.

Who cares who is or isn’t capable of playing Role X on their team? I’m not getting into any of that. Completely meaningless.

New Jersey Devils: Injuries