The Hurricanes and Oilers have a long history and perhaps even a surface level rivalry. Here are three keys to finishing off the season sweep against them.
The Carolina Hurricanes continue their short home stand early this afternoon against the Edmonton Oilers who are on a back half of a back to back after taking on the Florida Panthers in south Florida.
These two teams have played once before in Alberta in a Hurricanes victory that saw them mop the floor with the Oilers 6-3 back in December. That game was a highlight reel for Carolina and a forgettable one for Edmunton which included Dougie Hamilton “scoreboarding” an Oilers fan while sitting in the penalty box.
Today’s game will be a little different with the absence of Hamilton and the addition of Justin Williams. The Oilers on the other hand will look much much different without their Captain Connor McDavid, who is hurt and will be out a few weeks as well as James Neal who had been excellent for the Oilers.
Also absent will be Zack Kassian, who has been suspended a total of seven games for kicking a player in the chest with a skate blade. Not a good look for a team that is trying to hold on to it’s playoff spot dearly.
Edmonton’s Zack Kassian has been suspended for seven games for Kicking Tampa Bay’s Erik Cernak. https://t.co/8pSlqHoL7q
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) February 15, 2020
The Hurricanes on the other hand are trying to get into a spot and can do so tonight with a win that can put them all the way into the first wildcard spot if the Devils can take care of the Blue Jackets.
So how can the Canes put away the Oilers and start their climb up the standing?