With the playoffs around the corner, all eyes are on the Carolina Hurricanes as they currently sit atop the Metropolitan Division and the Eastern Conference. They are the closest challengers to the Colorado Avalanche, sitting 5 points back of the Presidents' Trophy. The competition within the division is the tightest it has been in quite some time.
If the season ended today, the Hurricanes would be followed by the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Islanders as the division's playoff representatives. The Canes currently lead both teams by seven points. The Washington Capitals are challenging for a Wild Card spot, but they would fall just short, as would the Blue Jackets and the Flyers.
The Atlantic Division has been far more competitive, led by the Tampa Bay Lightning. There is a logjam behind them, consisting of the Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, and the Detroit Red Wings, who are all separated by one point. The Boston Bruins sit in fifth and would be the second Wild Card team, leading Washington by two points with three games in hand.
Of course, the records and points determine who makes it into the playoffs, but momentum can change in the blink of an eye with how everyone is playing. Carolina’s biggest threat to reach the Stanley Cup Final appears to be Tampa Bay, as the two jockey for position atop the conference. The Ccanes defeated the Bolts, 5-4, last Thursday night, and they have one more matchup this month.
The Hurricanes hold a sizeable advantage over the Penguins and the Islanders right now, but both are getting hot at the right time. Pittsburgh is playing without Sidney Crosby after his Olympic injury, but they're 7-1-2 in their last ten. The Islanders have won five in a row, and they've won eight of their last ten, both of which are equal with the Canes.
To win the division, the Hurricanes need to do what they have been doing all season. They've gotten here by playing their game consistently. Interdivision play will be what matters most going into April. The Hurricanes face their division rivals ten more times, including three each against the Penguins and the Blue Jackets, with the final 13 consisting of games against the Atlantic and teams out West.
It will be crucial for Carolina to win on the road as much as possible, especially with a road-heavy finish to the season. A perfect road trip through Seattle and Western Canada could not only solidify their playoff position but also strengthen their hold over the division. It will be interesting to see how they perform after such a grueling trip.
Once the playoffs start, the Hurricanes' star players must step up. Pacing to get to the Stanley Cup Final is what it is all about. There have been many playoff runs where the Hurricanes dominate early but look gassed by the conference finals. They need to play smart, preserve their energy, and make plays that set the bar for other teams in the playoffs to prove that they are the team to beat.
The final month-and-a-half is all about the Hurricanes coming together as a well-oiled machine. They'll need strong goaltending from Bussi and Andersen, offensive explosions from Aho, Svechnikov, Stankoven, and Jarvis, shutdown defense from Slavin, Chatfield, and Miller, and total buy-in on special teams. If they get this, there isn't much standing in their way.
The fans in Raleigh are behind them, and the team clearly feeds off that energy. Every home win will be their launching pad for the next round. They've been clamoring for that 2006 feeling for two decades now. This could very well be the team that generates that same atmosphere. With the trade deadline nearly passed, we're close to seeing the roster that will ride into battle.