Long Break Has the Hurricanes With a Light February Schedule
By Glenn Brewer
The Carolina Hurricanes have made it about halfway through the NHL All-Star break. The break is longer than most other teams as the NHL resumes its schedule this evening with a slate of six games.
Four of those teams playing this evening are Metropolitan Division rivals.
For Carolina, the post-All-Star schedule does not start till Saturday when they host the New York Rangers at PNC Arena.
This will be the first of only 7 games played in the short month of February.
The Hurricanes had two games squeezed in before the All-Star break that saw them pick up 4 big points to have the rest of the division playing a game of catch-up.
Only the New York Islanders and the Washington Capitals have played more games at this point in the season.
While the rest of the division chases the Canes for the top spot in the division, the schedule has a few tough tests this month.
Luckily, the only road game is just up north to play the Washington Capitals.
As many Caniacs know this will be the first of two meetings between the Capitals but the other match will be outdoors.
The Capitals are in the thick of the Wild Card hunt, holding the first Wild Card spot as of today. They will be a desperate hockey team but have been susceptible to opening the door for the opposition.
Outside of Saturday’s game against the Rangers, the Hurricanes have a mild schedule, playing 4 teams that are on the outside looking in for the playoff race.
Two of those opponents are from the Western Conference in the Anaheim Ducks and the St. Louis Blues.
Unfortunately, the biggest game is the first game back from the long break but Rod Brind’Amour will have the boys ready to compete come Saturday.
The countdown to the Stadium Series has begun!