Capitals coach Carbery: Hurricanes’ Slavin should be in Norris conversation
While Frederik Andersen was solid between the pipes and Carolina’s blue line continued to be among the NHL’s best in 2024-25, Washington head coach Spencer Carbery went out of his way to single out Jaccob Slavin in the immediate aftermath of Game 5.
In the regular season, only one team scored more goals than the 286 that the Washington Capitals fired into opposing nets. That shook out to 3.49 markers per game for the Capitals, as they sprinted to an Eastern Conference-best 111-point season.
But as they saw their season end on Thursday, dropping a 3-1 decision in Game 5 to the Carolina Hurricanes at home, the Capitals’ offensive output dried up.
Those 3.49 goals per game in the regular season dwindled to a measly 1.4 in Washington’s series loss to its Metropolitan Division foes.
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While Frederik Andersen was solid between the pipes and Carolina’s blue line continued to be among the NHL’s best in 2024-25, Washington head coach Spencer Carbery went out of his way to single out defenceman Jaccob Slavin as a key contributor to the Hurricanes’ shutdown effort in the immediate aftermath of Game 5.
“Shoutout — because he doesn’t get enough credit … — Jaccob Slavin,” Carbery said after offering his congrats to the Hurricanes and their coach, Rod Brind’Amour.
“How he’s not in the Norris Trophy conversation every single year, it doesn’t seem right. Obviously, the guys that are there are tremendous players in their own right, but he’s one heck of a player.”
In Carolina’s five-game triumph, Slavin was the team’s most relied-upon skater, averaging 21:53 of ice time per game. While he was on the ice, he collected a plus-5 rating and even scored the overtime winner in Game 1.
The 31-year-old Slavin has consistently ranked among hockey’s best blue-liners. In his 10-year career, he has received votes for the Norris Trophy eight times, finishing in the top 10 twice.
In 2024-25, he should very well be on some ballots once again. Over 80 regular-season games, Slavin posted a plus-16 rating, scored six goals and 27 points while blocking 136 shots and logging 21:34 per game.
As a two-time winner of the Lady Byng Trophy, Slavin has clearly developed a reputation for his play around the league. However, by playing a central role in shutting down the Capitals’ high-powered attack in these Stanley Cup Playoffs, he’s only raised his profile as one of the NHL’s top defencemen.
