The Carolina Hurricanes have put together a very good week, winning three games against a pair of division opponents. After beating the Blue Jackets twice in three days, the Canes continued their run with a win over the New York Islanders on Saturday night. Seth Jarvis scored twice and added a short-handed assist, leading the charge in a 4-3 win that wasn't as close as the score indicates.
The task for the Hurricanes is very simple. All they need is one point today to win the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins will be in action against the Florida Panthers, whom they beat 9-4 on Saturday. Even if Pittsburgh wins that game, the Canes need to come out of their contest with at least one point. Of course, earning two points is the goal as they try to stay at the top of the East.
On the Other Side: Ottawa Senators
Last meeting: The Senators made the trip to Raleigh for the Canes' final home game before the Olympic break. After falling into an early 1-0 hole, the top line took over. Sebastian Aho brought them even, and Seth Jarvis scored twice in the second period to make it a 3-1 game. The Senators tied it in the third, but Jordan Staal scored on a breakaway late in regulation to earn a 4-3 victory.
Like the Blue Jackets and the Islanders before them, the Senators are a team fighting to keep their seat at the table in the Wild Card race. They had a chance to improve their position on Saturday, but the Senators failed to defend home ice, losing 4-1 to the Minnesota Wild. Linus Ullmark allowed four goals on 23 shots, while the Senators managed just one goal on 34 chances.
Despite the loss, the Senators received a little good news on the injury front on Saturday, getting Jake Sanderson back into the lineup. He provides some much-needed help on the back end, with Thomas Chabot and the newly called-up Carter Yakemchuk both out. Sanderson leads the defense with 48 points in 63 games, 17 points more than Chabot.
Playing the second half of a back-to-back, it is expected that James Reimer will get the third crack at his former team on Sunday. Goaltending has been a concern for a good part of the season, forcing the offense to often outscore their defensive shortcomings. They'll have the scheduling advantage, staying at home and playing in the afternoon on Saturday, so they should be ready for the Canes.
Senators to Watch
Tim Stutzle: Leading the Senators in goals (32), assists (45), and points (77), Stutzle is enjoying another spectacular year. He has scored a goal in both meetings this season, coming from almost the same spot on the ice. For all of the scoring Stutzle has done this season, he hasn't found the back of the net in seven games, making me feel like he's due to get back in the goal column.
Drake Batherson: Behind Stutzle in both goals and points, Batherson has notched his first 30-goal campaign while reaching 60 points for the fourth consecutive season. Batherson scored Ottawa's lone goal on Saturday, his 31st of the year. He has four goals over his last five contests, and he tends to score in bunches.
Hurricanes to Watch
Nikolaj Ehlers: With March being a huge month for Ehlers, it has been an uncharacteristically quiet start to April for him on the scoresheet. He didn't register a shot in the team's win on Thursday, but he got back to it with three against New York. Needing one point to set a new career best, I think he'll get it in Ottawa this evening.
K'Andre Miller: After losing a race to the front of the net on the Islanders' first goal, Miller bounced back to provide a pair of helpers in last night's win. He has three assists over the last two games after a five-game drought following his short-handed tally in Toronto. Miller is one assist away from his second 30-assist season