It’s about three-fourths through the season and the Carolina Hurricanes are firmly at the top of the Eastern Conference with 82 points and a 39-14-4 record. The new shootout format has worked especially well, as they have a 6-1 record in overtime this year. While the Hurricanes are definitely dominating the game this year, some experts are skeptical as to whether the team has the speed and the talent to win a championship. A lot of their success can be attributed to their coach, Peter Laviolette, who has been keeping the team on the right track and enforcing team hockey play for the entire year.

The team’s nice blend of new and veteran talent is also a reason for their success. Starting with leading scorer Eric Staal (75 pts.), who has already scored more goals (36) than the total amount of points he had in his rookie season (31), and ending with 15-year veteran Rod Brind’Amour (49 pts.), who is in new form and on a roll for achieving more points than any season since 1998-1999, the team has a lot to smile about. While it may come as no surprise that a young quick player was able to take advantage of the new rules, it does come as a bit of a surprise that a slow 35-year-old veteran can take advantage of them as well. Not wanting to take any chances, the Hurricanes also thought they needed to add playmaker Doug Weight for the stretch run. Weight hasn’t made any scores as member of the Hurricanes yet, but his offensive talent is of great value and will most likely be put to good use as the season progresses.

Defenseman Frantisek Kaberle is also having a great season, perhaps the best one of his career. He’s already broken his record with 28 assists and has also added 14 power play points. Another player seeing a great season, (some of his best hockey in nearly a decade), is D. Bret Hedican. Hedican is the veteran rock that the Hurricanes need. Even though their defense has been solid, some might still consider it the Hurricane’s greatest weakness. Weight is a great addition to the team but a blue liner with championship experience would have been a wiser choice.

Not to be forgotten as part of the key to the Hurricanes’ success this season is goaltender Martin Gerber, who has played exceptionally the entire year. He’s also dominated the shootouts and is responding nicely to his first opportunity at a starting job. Gerber, who is 31-years-old, has always been a strong player and he exhibits many qualities that are similar to ex-starter Arturs Irbe. Irbe led the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2002-2003. Gerber does not possess the element of pressure and experience, however that we usually see in quality playoff goaltenders. We’ll just have to wait and see if the Hurricane’s made the right decision in not getting a veteran to back him up.

Eight members of the Hurricanes were sent to the Olympics in Italy this year and, fortunately, none of them came back with any injuries. Whether they will be fresh as the playoffs near is another question. Nonetheless, Carolina does have a very talented team and will no doubt be a favorite in the playoffs. The Hurricanes have played great at home with a 24-5-1 record, and they’ll benefit by playing in home ice in the playoffs if they continue on the same winning path. They have been very consistent and have the type of talent mix that has led to a Stanley Cup in previous seasons. While the resurgence of the New York Rangers and the continued excellence of the Detroit Red Wings continue to dominate the media coverage, the Hurricanes are flying comfortably under the radar, right where they want to be. The Hurricanes shouldn’t be underestimated and are definitely within realm of becoming championship contenders.