Game Day At Last!

It's time to play hockey as the Canes resume their drive for the playoffs with a chance to put the Washington Capitals to bed as far as the divisional race is concerned.

It has been a peculiar  few days, although the Canes have enjoyed their time off since the 2-1 shootout win over the Panthers on Thursday. The time to rest was well-deserved, but it did seem odd at this time of the year to go four days without a game. The Hurricanes will take it, as the coaching staff gave them two full days off. Sandwiched in between was an optional skate and a full-scale workout Monday. The Canes are 17-6-1 since the All-Star break and have redefined the meaning of "controlling your destiny." Tonight could be one to remember.

Kill it Off...

Can you believe it the Canes have actually emerged from the 30th spot in overall penalty killing? It has taken this long, but it's a huge leap for the this team to advance out of that statistical low. Tonight they face a team that makes a living with their power play. You have the sniping ability of Alex the Great, Mike Green and his "back door" goal-scoring prowess and rookie Nick Backstrom working the puck down low. So there are many ways the Caps can strike. This may be one of the first keys for the Canes. They spent the early stages of Monday's practice working on the up-ice pressure on the kill.

The goal tonight will be to stalemate the Capitals before they gain entry in the attacking zone. Once you give them a chance to set up, you make it more difficult. The Canes have been more and more aggressive on the kill these days. They are utilizing players like Eric Staal and Erik Cole, who have more speed and are a legitimate threat to score a "shorty" for team that has only managed three short-handed goals all season. Others, like Trevor Letowski, Scott Walker, Tuomo Ruutu and Ryan Bayda,  have been  workmanlike and smart  as  the Canes  may have  shored  up a very important area  for the playoffs. Most importantly  the best penalty killer,  the goalie,  has  seen  his GAA  sit at 1.60  over the last  11  games.

On the Mend?

Matt Cullen (head trauma) did not skate Monday. His recent days have not been that great. Don't expect to see him tonight. Ray Whitney (ankle) continues to rehab off the ice. The Canes would love to work him in near the end of the regular season but that remains to be seen. The Hurricanes have moved Justin Williams and Chad LaRose back into the usual locker room stalls at the RBC Center. Great for them mentally as they continue their rehab. Williams (knee) has been very impressive in his two practices with the regulars. He has at least four more practices before he may be given clearance for contact, then he would need about a week of that. If he passes those exams then maybe (it's still a big maybe) he could be a legitimate shot for Round One. My gut tells me it could happen.

LaRose may be on a quicker path. He is determined and working through his conditioning. There is a chance he's available before the end of the regular season.

Don't Look Now!

In both conferences some amazing stories are starting to emerge, both on the positive and negative side. In the West, the left-for-dead Oilers and Blackhawks are giving their fans some hope. Chicago starts today six points out after creeping to within four on Sunday with an overtime win over St. Louis. Edmonton, which beat Minnesota 5-3 Monday night, trails the eighth spot by only three points with five games left. The Oilers are 12-3-0 in their last 15 games. In the East, the Boston Bruins are in free fall. Today they start by holding the final playoff spot. The B's are 2-5-4 in the their last 11 games. They visit Toronto tonight, and believe it or not Toronto is in the neighborhood by going 6-2-0 in its last eight.

Ottawa had another collapse Monday night by losing 7-5 in Montreal. The Sens are 7-10-3 since making the trade with Carolina in mid-February. The Senators could fall to sixth and maybe draw a post season date with you know who. Wouldn't that be something ?

Enjoy the game!