Carolina Hurricanes Playoff Battle – February 14th

The Carolina Hurricanes did what they needed to do last night against a team ahead of them in the standings. They played very strong hockey for sixty minutes, and gained two more points, with a 6-3 victory over the Islanders.

They have a couple of days off to rest and prepare for their next game at home against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. The rest of their Eastern Conference rivals, though, are not idle today or tomorrow.

At this time in every NHL season, the results of other games greatly affect where a team stands in the playoff hunt on a daily basis. The Canes position in the battle improved last night, but the games over the next two days will affect where they are when they hit the ice Tuesday night.

Team Cardiac Cane brings you the latest in the Hurricanes battle up the Eastern Conference standings.

More from Cardiac Cane – Canes Dominate the Islanders at Home

Current Standings: Sunday, February 14

New York Rangers – 68 points – 2nd in Metro
Boston Bruins – 66 points – 2nd in Atlantic
Detroit Red Wings – 65 points – 3rd in Atlantic
New York Islanders – 64 points – 3rd in Metro
Tampa Bay Lightning – 64 points – 1st Wild Card
Pittsburgh Penguins – 63 points – 2nd Wild Card
New Jersey Devils – 63 points
Carolina Hurricanes – 60 points
Philadelphia Flyers – 58 points
Montreal Canadiens – 58 points
Ottawa Senators – 56 points

Latest in the Eastern Conference: Saturday, February 13

New York Islanders @ Carolina Hurricanes – 3-6 Final

• The Carolina Hurricanes needed a big performance to take down the surging New York Islanders, and that’s what they got. They easily handled the visiting team and came out with a big 6-3 win.
• A combined seven goals were scored in period two, and five of them went to the Hurricanes. Victor Rask capped off the big period with a pair of goals in just 1:21, including a goal with just over a second left on the clock.
• Cam Ward went down awkwardly on a save in the second period. He was slow to get up and was obviously shaken up from a lower-body injury.
• Next up for the Canes, a matchup on Tuesday against the visiting Winnipeg Jets. They defeated the Jets on the road 5-3 on February 5.

New Jersey Devils @ Philadelphia Flyers – 2-1 Final (OT)

• The Devils held a 1-0 lead late into the 3rd, but the Flyers Shayne Gostisbehere ruined their regulation win. With the help of goalie Cory Schneider, though, they pulled off the OT win..

Boston Bruins @ Minnesota Wild – 4-2 Final

• David Krejci broke a tie in the second period, and backup goalie Jonas Gustavsson made 31 saves to help the Bruins beat the Wild.

Ottawa Senators @ Columbus Blue Jackets – 2-4 Final

• The Senators’ playoff hopes dimmed a bit more with a disappointing loss to the Blue Jackets.

Today in the Eastern Conference: Sunday, February 14

New Jersey Devils vs Los Angeles Kings – 12:30 pm

• Devils host the Pacific Division leading Los Angeles Kings after a overtime win on Saturday that should’ve been a regulation victory.

Boston Bruins @ Detroit Red Wings – 3:30 pm

• Bruins are taking the momentum from a win over the Wild into Hockeytown to face a determined eastern conference rival in the Red Wings. Both are in the Canes’ playoff Battle.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs St. Louis Blues – 6:00 pm

• Coming off a last minute Steven Stamkos tying goal, and Tyler Johnson OT winner, against the Predators Friday night, the Bolts are looking to move into one of the Atlantic Division playoff spots.

Philadelphia Flyers @ New York Rangers – 7:30 pm

• Both the Rangers and Flyers are coming off very close OT losses in their last two games. One of them is going to get two points today.

Upcoming in the Eastern Conference: Monday, February 15

Detroit Red Wings @ New York Islanders – 1:00 pm

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Florida Panthers – 7:30 pm

Montreal Canadiens @ Arizona Coyotes – 9:00 pm

Next: Hurricanes' Top Trade Targets

All Canes fans are waiting for word on Cam Ward’s injury, and the return of Justin Faulk to the lineup before Tuesday’s tilt against the Jets. If they put in the same effort that they did Saturday night, and the whole team is healthy, this next stretch of games could be something to watch. Stay Tuned.

Go Canes!