The Carolina Hurricanes are gunning for the top of the Central Division but will have to go through the only remaining undefeated team in the league in a two-game set this weekend. Here are the keys to a weekend sweep.
Carolina is at the bottom of the league in games played. Joining them are the Dallas Stars and the Florida Panthers, all together in the Central Division. This has created some mayhem in the divisional standings where the Stars have the second-most points and the Hurricanes have the second worst, all while being separated by only two points.
That can be turned on its head this weekend as the Stars visit Raleigh to try and keep their winning streak going. The Canes on the other end will still be down several key players but are coming off an exciting shutout win of the defending Stanley Cup Champions.
Unstoppable force, meet immovable object.
Hey @DallasStars just a reminder we aren’t rooting for you anymore
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) January 30, 2021
There are going to be a lot of eyes focused on these games as both teams try to prove to the rest of the league that they are contenders and not pretenders with early streaks.
Can the Carolina Hurricanes end Dallas’s win streak and leapfrog them in the standings or will they continue to play “catch-up” using the compressed schedule that has been forced upon them due to the pandemic?
If the Canes can lock in more than a few points this weekend, they can set themselves up for a run not only at a third consecutive playoff berth but a shot at their first division title since winning the Southeast in the 05-06 season that ended in them winning their first Stanley Cup.
But that race starts tonight against the team with the best record in the Central. Here is are the keys to securing two points tonight.