Here is the 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 looked really good for much of the game against the Lightning, controlling the play in both zones and getting many scoring chances. As it happens this time of year, though, two little mistakes led to a big time loss for the home team.
Hurricanes Current Status:
The Hurricanes looked like a team that is contending for a post season spot, and could play with the big boys if they make the playoffs. The Canes were great at puck control in both zones. Their cycling down low in the offensive zone had the Bolts on their heels many times. They showed great passing and puck possession in their transition game. They showed they can carry the puck into the offensive end as well as dumping, chasing and fighting for control in the corners. And the defensive corps played a very tight-checking game and kept the lightning forwards on the perimeter for most of the play in our zone.
As we pointed out in the first Carolina Hurricanes Playoffs: The Battle Begins, games this time of year can come down to “One game, one period, one shift, one shot, one save, one penalty, one goal. All could have HUGE implications on the Canes playoff chances.” The game last night showed the truth in this statement.
Cam Ward didn’t hug the post on a shot from the left faceoff circle and the J.T. Brown buried it. Someone missed their assignment on a streaking Steven Stamkos during a penalty kill, and he buries it. Ben Bishop comes up huge late in the third as the Canes mount some serious pressure for the tying goal.
The Hurricanes now have a day off, which Coach Peters says will be another day of skating and rest, before hosting the Flyers on Tuesday. There are six games involving eight of the Eastern Conference teams separated by only six points points in the playoff push.
Related Story: Carolina Hurricanes Struck Down by the Tampa Bay Lightning
Here are the standings and the game recaps/previews:
Current Standings: Monday, February 22
New York Rangers – 74 points – 2nd in Metro
Tampa Bay Lightning – 70 points – 2nd in Atlantic
Boston Bruins – 70 points – 3rd in Atlantic
New York Islanders – 69 points – 3rd in Metro
Detroit Red Wings – 69 points – 1st Wild Card
Pittsburgh Penguins – 68 points – 2nd Wild Card
New Jersey Devils – 65 points
Carolina Hurricanes – 64 points
Philadelphia Flyers – 63 points
Ottawa Senators – 62 points
Latest in the Eastern Conference: Sunday, February 21
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Buffalo Sabres – 4-3 Final
- In the day’s early game the Penguins visited the Sabres at First Niagara Center. After a sluggish first period, and a chippy second, the Pens were able to go into the final period up 3-1. The Sabres tried to mount a comeback, but it was too little too late.
Detroit Red Wings @ New York Rangers – 0-1 Final (OT)
- This game featured good-goaltending, of course, a reversed goal, and a controversial non-call on an elbow to the head. It ultimately needed overtime to break the nil-nil score, with Kevin Klein finishing off the Wings 2:00 into the extra period.
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Carolina Hurricanes – 4-2 Final
Today in the Eastern Conference: Monday, February 22
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Boston Bruins – 7:00
- Blue Jackets – 23-29-7 – 53 points – 6-2-2 in last 10 games
- Bruins – 31-21-6 – 70 points – 6-3-1 in last 10 games
Upcoming in the Eastern Conference: Tuesday, February 23
New York Rangers @ New Jersey Devils – 7:00
Philadelphia Flyers @ Carolina Hurricanes – 7:00
Columbus Blue Jackets @Detroit Red Wings – 7:30
Arizona Coyotes @ Tampa Bay Lightning – 7:30
New York Islanders @ Minnesota Wild – 8:00
Ottawa Senators @ Edmonton Oilers – 9:00
It’s a refrain that we will hear for months to come. The next game is a crucial game for the Hurricanes to gain two points. It would also help if the other teams jockeying for the last playoff spots would falter a bit. The home team really needs both to happen to have a real shot at the post season.
Stay tuned. Go Canes!