Hurricanes are in Denver to take on the league leading Colorado Avalanche

What can the Canes do tonight to rebound after an embarrassing loss to the Detroit Red Wings after taking 46 shots and failing to beat their former netminder? Score. That will give them a prayer. Beating the Colorado Avalanche in Denver is not something that happens often and if the Canes do have aspirations of doing it, they’re going to need to be at their best. Colorado is the best team in the NHL for a reason.

With a high-flying offense, free-flowing puck movement, and some very good goaltending behind their skaters, Colorado has been more than capable of dropping double-digit performances on teams that do not play up to the standard when they have met. However, Carolina became the first team to shut the NHL’s juggernaut out earlier in the season back at PNC Arena. Carolina can beat this Colorado team because they’ve done it before.

Winning tonight would give the Canes a much-needed lift after a spell of poor results was followed by some .500 hockey. Carolina needs to pull out of the tailspin it has been in within the NHL’s standings and start to build some momentum as we head towards the NHL’s playoffs. Carolina is expected to be one of the favorites for the cup when we get to the dance, so this game against Colorado is a fantastic measuring stick.

With the Hurricanes’ issues being publicly known as their offense, this could be a good game to try and get it going again. Colorado is not the most solid of teams in their own zone and that could be seen as their one small weakness if you believe that this team has one. They’re going to put up monster tallies offensively, so beating them requires a steady offensive performance, good pressure, and some luck. Carolina needs this game tonight.