Hurricanes Searching for Consistency After Competitive Start to 2025 Season

Hurricanes off to a rocky start in 2025.

The Carolina Hurricanes have opened the 2025 DCHL regular season with a 1–3–2 record, a start that reflects both their competitiveness and the frustration of falling just short in several close contests. Despite earning only four points through six games, Carolina has been within striking distance in nearly every outing — a sign that the pieces are in place, even if the results have yet to follow.

A Promising Start, Then a Tough Stretch

Carolina began the season with a convincing 3–1 win at home against the New Jersey Devils, driven by a balanced effort and strong special teams play. Since then, the Hurricanes have dropped five straight, though two of those defeats came in extra time — a 3–2 shootout loss to Philadelphia and a 3–2 overtime loss to Anaheim.

The team’s lone lopsided game came in a 7–4 loss to San Jose, but even that contest showed offensive flashes, as Carolina’s top line generated sustained pressure throughout. Tight defensive efforts in 1–0 and 2–1 road losses to Los Angeles and Vegas have kept the Hurricanes within reach but underscored the team’s early struggle to find consistent scoring.

“We’ve been right there in almost every game,” said head coach Peter Laviolette. “The effort is there, the compete level is there. We just need to finish on a few more chances and clean up some details late in games.”

MacKinnon Leading the Way

Star forward Nathan MacKinnon has been Carolina’s offensive catalyst early on, leading the team with 6 points (2 goals, 4 assists) in as many games. Center Vincent Trocheck has added 5 points, while Filip Forsberg, Jaccob Slavin, and Rasmus Dahlin each sit at 4 points, providing balanced production across the lineup.

“We’ve had good looks — it’s just about execution,” MacKinnon said after the team’s recent 2–1 loss in Vegas. “The systems are working, and we’re generating chances. Once we start finishing a few of those, I think we’ll get on a roll.”

Defensemen Slavin and Dahlin have been particularly effective in transition, combining for eight points while helping the Hurricanes generate offense from the back end. The pairing of Zach Whitecloud and Brock Faber has also contributed steady minutes, giving Carolina a deeper blue line rotation.

Goaltending Solid Despite Record

Between the pipes, Alex Nedeljkovic and Ilya Samsonov have shared the workload. Nedeljkovic owns a 1–1–1 record with a 3.24 goals-against average and .881 save percentage, while Samsonov has been a bright spot despite limited run support, posting a 1.99 GAA and .940 save percentage in three appearances.

“Ilya’s given us a chance to win every night he’s played,” Laviolette noted. “That’s all you can ask for from your goaltender. Both guys have been solid — now it’s on us to make their efforts count.”

Looking to Build Momentum

At 1–3–2, Carolina’s early-season record doesn’t fully capture the competitiveness of its play. The Hurricanes have lost four games by a single goal and have outshot opponents in half of their contests. The underlying numbers suggest a breakthrough may be imminent.

“We’re six games in — there’s no panic,” said defenseman Jaccob Slavin. “We believe in our group. We just need to tighten up a few things in our own end and keep pushing.”

Carolina will return home this week looking to reset and build on its strong defensive structure. With elite talent up front, a productive blue line, and solid goaltending, the ingredients for success remain firmly in place. Turning those close contests into wins could be all it takes to get the Hurricanes back on track.