Carolina Hurricanes Playoff Battle – February 20th
Here is your recap of action in the Eastern Conference playoff battles yesterday, and the current overall status of the Carolina Hurricanes 2016 push to the post-season.
The Hurricanes needed to start the game against the San Jose Sharks “on time”, and keep their foot on the gas for sixty minutes, to make up for a missed opportunity the night before against the Senators. They did.
Hurricanes Current Status:
The Carolina Hurricanes bounced back from their lackluster performance in Ottawa with a dominating win over the San Jose Sharks. The final score of 5-2 doesn’t properly reflect the level at which the Canes dominated in their own zone, and controlled much of the play in the Sharks end. Except for a brain-fart play behind the net by Cam Ward (he played awesome, so he can be forgiven), and some near-misses by the Hurricanes, the score could’ve easily been 7-1.
All four Carolina forward lines contributed against the Sharks, with Chris Terry tipping in a Hanifin shot out of midair, Eric Staal getting off the schneid with an assist and Jeff Skinner tallying two goals. And once again the defense, missing their All Star quarterback Justin Faulk, stepped up and controlled the play in the Canes zone all night.
Saturday brings five games, involving seven teams, that can affect the Hurricanes position in the standings while they enjoy a day off. Coach Peters wants to let them rest, have a good Sunday morning skate, and hit the ice running at full speed like they did against the Sharks.
Related Story: Carolina Hurricanes Drown the San Jose Sharks
Current Standings: Friday, February 19
New York Rangers – 72 points – 2nd in Metro
Boston Bruins – 68 points – 2nd in Atlantic
New York Islanders – 69 points – 3rd in Metro
Detroit Red Wings – 67 points – 3rd in Atlantic
Pittsburgh Penguins – 66 points – 1st Wild Card
Tampa Bay Lightning – 66 points – 2nd Wild Card
New Jersey Devils – 65 points
Carolina Hurricanes – 64 points
Philadelphia Flyers – 61 points
Montreal Canadiens – 60 points
Ottawa Senators – 60 points
Latest in the Eastern Conference: Friday, February 19
New York Islanders @ New Jersey Devils – 1-0 Final
- The Islanders beat the Devils with of a lucky bounce off of a fourth line winger’s hockey pants, and Jaroslav Halak had a bounce-back effort with the shutout.
San Jose Sharks @ Carolina Hurricanes – 2-5 Final
- Game Recap – Hurricanes Drown the Sharks
Philadelphia Flyers @ Montreal Canadiens –
- After a see-saw game ended tied 2-2, the overtime period saw no resolution, and the game was sealed by Montreal’s Paul Byron in the fifth round of the shootout.
Today in the Eastern Conference: Saturday, February 20
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Pittsburgh Penguins – 12:30
- Lightning – 31-22-4 – 66 points – 5-5-0 in last ten games
- Penguins – 29-19-8 – 66 points – 7-2-1 in last ten games
Detroit Red Wings @ Ottawa Senators – 7:00
- Wings – 29-20-9 – 67 points – 5-4-1 in last 10 games
- Senators – 27-26-6 – 60 points – 4-5-0 in last 10 games
New Jersey Devils @ Washington Capitals – 7:00
- Devils – 29-23-7 – 65 points – 5-3-2 in last 10 games
- Capitals – 42-10-4 – 88 points – 7-2-1 in last 10 games
Philadelphia Flyers @ Toronto Maple Leafs – 7:00
- Flyers – 25-21-11 – 61 points – 5-3-2 in last 10 games
- Leafs – 20-27-9 – 49 points – 3-7-0 in last 10 games
Boston Bruins @ Dallas Stars – 8:00
- Bruins – 31-21-6 – 68 points – 5-4-1 in last 10 games
- Stars – 37-16-6 – 80 points – 7-2-1 in last 10 games
Upcoming in the Eastern Conference: Sunday, February 21
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Buffalo Sabres – 12:30
Detroit Red Wings @ New York Rangers – 7:00
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Carolina Hurricanes – 7:00
Next up for the Hurricanes is Tampa Bay, sitting just two points ahead in a wild card spot. The Lightning face the Penguins on Saturday, and we’re sure that the Canes players and coaching staff will be watching that game closely to see where they will stand when they hit the ice Sunday night.
Stay Tuned. Go Canes!