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.
Six games in the Eastern Conference on Wednesday juggled the top of the standings a little, but didn’t have any earth-shattering consequences to the Canes overall post-season chances.
Hurricanes Current Status:
The Carolina Hurricanes didn’t do themselves any favors with a lackluster performance against an Ottawa Senators team trying to get themselves back into the playoff battle discussion. The Sens did everything they could to do just that, and the Canes came up short after coming back from consecutive one-goal deficits.
Carolina is back in action quickly, with a home game against the visiting San Jose Sharks tonight. With the loss in Ottawa the Hurricanes fall to four points behind the Islanders for a wild card spot. They remain, though, in the middle of eight teams, vying for four playoff spots, separated by 7 points, with about two dozen games left. They can’t afford many more games like last night, but the battle is far from over.
Related Story: Carolina Hurricanes Slip and Fall in Snowy Ottawa
Current Standings: Friday, February 19
New York Rangers – 72 points – 2nd in Metro
Boston Bruins – 68 points – 2nd in Atlantic
Detroit Red Wings – 67 points – 3rd in Atlantic
New York Islanders – 67 points – 3rd in Metro
Pittsburgh Penguins – 66 points – 1st Wild Card
Tampa Bay Lightning – 66 points – 2nd Wild Card
New Jersey Devils – 65 points
Carolina Hurricanes – 62 points
Ottawa Senators – 60 points
Philadelphia Flyers – 60 points
Latest in the Eastern Conference: Thursday, February 18
Detroit Red Wings @ Pittsburgh Penguins – 3-6 Final
- The Penguins were able to build a lead in this high-scoring affair in Steeltown, and hold on against a late surging Red Wings team to move into the 1st wild card spot and one point behind the Islanders in the Metro.
Washington Capitals @ New York Islanders – 3-2 (OT)
- After a back-and-forth first, and a second dominated by the Capitals, the Islanders were able to tie it up late in the third to take it to overtime, and gain one point. Justin Williams finished them off in the last minute of OT.
Carolina Hurricanes @ Ottawa Senators – 2-4 Final
Winnipeg Jets @ Tampa Bay Lightning – 5-6 Final (SO)
- It was a game I’m sorry missed. The Jets were down 3-0, but came roaring back to force overtime, ultimately lost in the SO to superstar Steven Stamkos, and Winnipeg bench boss Paul Maurice was ejected from the game.
New York Rangers @ Toronto Maple Leafs – 4-2 Final
- Leaf fans were again subjected to a game-winning goal with 1:30 left in the game against the Rangers at the Air Canada Centre.
Boston Bruins @ Nashville Predators – 0-2 Final
- After four good performances in their 6-game road trip, the Bruins had a very weak one last night, starting out slowly against the Predators and never kicking up the intensity.
Today in the Eastern Conference: Friday, February 19
New York Islanders @ New Jersey Devils – 7:00
- Islanders – 30-19-6 – 66 points – 6-4-0 in last 10 games
- Devils – 29-22-7 – 65 points – 5-3-2 in last 10 games
San Jose Sharks @ Carolina Hurricanes – 7:00
- Sharks – 30-20-5 – 65 points – 6-2-2 in last 10 games
- Hurricanes – 26-21-10 – 62 points – 6-2-2 in last 10 games
Philadelphia Flyers @ Montreal Canadiens – 7:30
- Flyers – 25-21-10 – 60 points – 5-3-2 in last 10 games
- Canadiens – 27-27-4 – 58 points – 3-7-0 in last 10 games
Upcoming in the Eastern Conference: Saturday, February 20
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Pittsburgh Penguins – 12:30
Detroit Red Wings @ Ottawa Senators – 7:00
Winnipeg Jets @ Florida Panthers – 7:00
New Jersey Devils @ Washington Capitals – 7:00
Philadelphia Flyers @ Toronto Maple Leafs – 7:00
Boston Bruins @ Dallas Stars – 8:00
Next: Eric Staal and Cam Ward are not Thelma and Louise
The Hurricanes have a very quick turnaround in games as the week ends. As soon as they finished the game in Ottawa tonight they were on a flight back to Raleigh for a home game against the San Jose Sharks tonight. Coach Peters has commented numerous times about wanting to keep up the teams intensity and focus, and there’s no better way to do that than with back-to-back games with travel in between.
Stay Tuned. Go Canes!