NHL EDGE stats: Ehlers has become X-factor for Hurricanes in 2026 playoffs

NHL.com's fantasy staff continues to cover the latest trends and storylines in the League through the lens of NHL EDGE) puck and player tracker stats. Today, we identify three strong underlying metrics for Carolina Hurricanes’ forward Nikolaj Ehlers.

1. Skating speed

Carolina Hurricanes forward Nikolaj Ehlers joined Connor McDavid (2024) and Mario Lemieux (1991) as the only players since 1990 with consecutive three-point games in the Stanley Cup Final. Ehlers (three goals, five assists), who’s tied with Mitch Marner for the most points in the series (eight each), is in his 11th NHL season, his first with the Hurricanes after signing a six-year contract this offseason (played first 10 seasons with Winnipeg Jets). Ehlers became the first forward with three points without a single shot on goal in a Stanley Cup Final game since Matt Cullen (also with Carolina) in 2006, and is an X-factor in the Hurricanes’ championship quest because of his speed metrics and vision.

Ehlers has a team-leading 19 speed bursts of 20-plus mph in the Cup Final, which ranks second behind Jack Eichel (27) among all players. He is also second on the Hurricanes in that category for the entire playoffs with 58 (behind Taylor Hall's 59).

Per NHL EDGE IQ, Ehlers scored both of his goals in Game 1 off the rush, and five of his seven goals this postseason have come off the rush; goals off the rush are those scored within five seconds of a team crossing the offensive blue line. Ehlers is second behind Vegas Golden Knights forward Brett Howden (eight) for the most goals scored off the rush during the 2026 playoffs.

Ehlers also has 39 shot attempts off the rush, tied for third in the entire NHL behind teammates Logan Stankoven (46) and Hall (40); that trio has combined to score 11 of the Hurricanes 20 goals off the rush since the start of the postseason. During the regular season, Carolina led the NHL in goals off the rush (104) and were the only team with more than 100. 

NHL EDGE IQ insights: Ehlers' highlight-reel assist in Game 5 on Andrei Svechnikov's second power-play goal showcased his elite vision. Ehlers received a pass from defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere on his backhand at the top of the circles and, in one motion, transferred the puck to his forehand and delivered a tape-to-pass cross-ice pass to Svechnikov for the goal. Svechnikov's shot had a Projected Goal Rate of 48.38 percent, the highest for Carolina on any single attempt during the Cup Final and their second-highest of the playoffs.

2. Shot speed

Ehlers has two of Carolina's three hardest shots resulting in a goal this postseason (also 84.67 in Game 2 of Eastern Conference Final vs. Montreal Canadiens) behind only Seth Jarvis (84.76 mph in Game 2 of Second Round vs. Philadelphia Flyers).

In terms of 80-plus mph shot attempts, Ehlers is tied with defenseman teammate Alexander Nikishin for the most in the Stanley Cup Final (six each). Six of Ehlers' seven hardest shot attempts of the postseason have come in the championship series, and he ranks in the 91st percentile among forwards in average shot speed (62.73 mph) during the playoffs.  During this regular season, Ehlers was among the forward leaders in both hardest shot (93.63 mph; 94th percentile) and average shot speed (63.86 mph; 97th percentile).

The Hurricanes have scored 15 goals this postseason on shots of at least 70 mph, with Ehlers scoring four of those 15:

• 84.67 mph vs. Canadiens in Game 2
• 84.63 mph vs. Golden Knights in Game 1
• 78.66 mph vs. Flyers in Game 2
• 71.70 mph vs. Flyers in Game 3

3. Shot location

Ehlers is tied with Anaheim Ducks forward Mikael Granlund (four each) for the most midrange goals this postseason. Ehlers, Stankoven and Andrei Svechnikov (three each) have combined for 10 of the Hurricanes’ League-leading 23 midrange goals this postseason.

Ehlers ranks in the 93rd percentile among forwards in offensive zone time percentage (49.6) at all strengths (47.8) and at even strength (45.5) this postseason. In terms of 5-on-5 shot attempts percentage, Ehlers is tied for second through the first five games of the Cup Final (58.9). It’s also worth noting Ehlers scored 12 go-ahead goals in the regular season, tied for second on the team behind Jarvis (14).

Under coach Rod Brind’Amour, the Hurricanes have made the playoffs in all eight of his seasons (including four conference finals appearances) but have not won the Stanley Cup since he played for them in 2006. Ehlers, meanwhile, is making his first career Stanley Cup Final, and had only reached the Conference Final once before this season (2018 with Jets). 

Although Carolina has fallen short of its ultimate goal in each of those seasons and lacked timely goals in the highest-pressure games, Ehlers and his robust advanced stats could be a difference-maker to help the Hurricanes finally get over the hump.