Downright offensive: Why Canes defensemen could be the difference against the Islanders

In what figures to be a tight, grinding, low-scoring playoff series between the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Islanders, both teams will be looking for an edge — any edge.

In the Canes’ case, it might be a goal from a defenseman. Better yet, more than one goal, and from more than one defenseman.

Brent Burns had 18 goals in the regular season. So, too, did Brady Skjei. The Canes’ group of D-men had 59 total, the best in the NHL and a franchise record.

Burns, who turned 38 in March, has always been an offensive threat from the blue line, scoring 29 goals for San Jose six years ago. He scored twice Thursday as the Canes clinched the Metropolitan Division with a 6-4 road win over the Florida Panthers.

“I don’t know where we’d be without him, to be honest,” Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said after the game. “Our D are real special back there in the amount of pressure we put on them to perform in every aspect of the game. And this guy has been better than advertised — or as good, or whatever. And a real pleasure to have around and have him with our group.”

Skjei, traded to the Canes in 2020, had never scored more than nine goals in a season in his NHL career but has doubled that.

Why now?

“I’m taking my shots and I’m pretty accurate,” Skjei said. “I’ve been picking the corners that I’ve seen and luckily they’ve been going in.”

Lucky or not, the Canes became the first NHL team since the Washington Capitals in 1992-93 to have more than one defenseman score 18 or more goals in a season. Defensemen scored in 31 of the Canes’ 52 wins, producing 11 game-winning goals, three by Skjei.

The Hurricanes, the Metropolitan Division champions, hope to continue that trend against the Isles in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Game 1 is Monday at PNC Arena.

A case can be made that Skjei has been the team’s most valuable player this season given his expanded offensive output, steady play in the defensive zone and his work on the league’s second-ranked penalty kill. Brind’Amour also used him on the power play at times — Skjei has four power-play goals.

Much was expected from Burns after he altered his contract’s no-trade list with the Sharks last summer and allowed a deal to the Hurricanes. He immediately flew into the Triangle for a quick tour and a training session with another workout fiend, his new head coach..

One thing about Burns: He’s reticent to talk about himself, but quick to credit his teammates.

Recently he was asked about being 38 and able to play with the stamina of a younger man, putting in a lot of minutes each game, playing all 82 this season and staying productive.

“I’ve had the benefit of playing with a great group,” Burns said. “It’s been fun. It’s a special group. It’s been fun to come in and find my place. You’re always the benefactor when you play with a group like we have.”

Burns has been together with Jaccob Slavin on the Canes’ top D pair throughout the season. And, yes, he’s quick to praise his partner.

“He’s very skilled in a lot of ways,” Burns said. “It’s been a lot of fun to get to know him and see what he thinks about the game, about a lot of things. Just unbelievably skilled.”

Slavin’s quick stick and defensive prowess have allowed other Canes defensemen and D partners to jump up into plays, look for offensive openings while he covers up for them — Dougie Hamilton and Tony DeAngelo before Burns.

Slavin had seven goals in the regular season, one shy of his career high. Jalen Chatfield had six, Brett Pesce five, Shayne Gostisbehere three in his 23 games with the Canes, and Calvin de Haan two.

Against the Panthers, with the Metro title on the line Thursday, Burns scored the first goal of the game with a blast from the right point, energizing the Canes and quieting a rabid FLA Live Arena. Then, after the Panthers tied the score 2-2 with two quick scores in the third and the place was loud again, he let loose with another big shot for his second goal of the night.

Gostisbehere had the game-winning goal. After sitting two minutes in the penalty box, he jumped out, picked off a Panthers pass and immediately scored an empty-net goal for a 5-2 lead with 2:40 left in regulation.

“They both bring a lot to the table,” Chatfield said. “Both can run the power play and that’s huge for us. We’re going to need those guys doing that in the playoffs.”