The Carolina Hurricanes couldn't solve their Montreal problem on Sunday, failing to complete their weekend sweep and tighten their grip on the Metropolitan Division. The Canes got the early goal from Andrei Svechnikov on the power play, but the Canadiens' stars took over the second period to turn the game in their favor. Add another stellar performance from Jakub Dobes, and the Canes fell, 3-1.
Tonight marks the beginning of a home-and-home for the Hurricanes and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Even with their loss to Montreal, the Canes own a sizeable lead over their division foes, but this pair of games could prove very important for the Canes as the week moves along. However, these contests are even more important for the Blue Jackets.
On the Other Side: Columbus Blue Jackets
Last meeting: Two weeks ago, the Canes ventured to Columbus for the first time this season, and it wasn't a pretty performance for the visitors. The Blue Jackets scored twice on the power play in the opening frame, and they never looked back. A fight from Nicolas Deslauriers helped energize a goal from Andrei Svechnikov, but Columbus scored three more times in a 5-1 victory at home.
At one point last week, the Blue Jackets were sitting in second in the Metropolitan Division. Heading into Tuesday, Columbus is barely holding onto its playoff position. They have a pair of Atlantic Division teams knocking on their door, and the fast-charging Flyers have thrown their names into the ring, too. Their spot is far from secure, meaning they should be a desperate bunch.
After their 12-game point streak ended, wins have been a little tougher to come by for the Blue Jackets. They've lost four of their last five contests, going 1-3-1 over that stretch. Their offense, which has usually been dynamite, has been held to two goals or fewer in three of those four losses, while they blew a 3-0 lead and lost in a shootout on Sunday in Boston.
To make matters worse, they're getting hurt at the wrong time. Both Damon Severson and Dmitri Voronkov are week-to-week with injuries, which should knock them out for both contests against Carolina. Mathieu Olivier, the willing combatant of Deslauriers two weeks ago, was hurt in Boston, making his status unclear for this home-and-home.
Blue Jackets to Watch
Charlie Coyle: When the Canes were in town last time, Coyle was all over the scoresheet. He finished the night with a goal on the power play and three helpers, recording his third four-point game of the season. Since then, he has been very quiet. Coyle snapped a six-game pointless drought on Sunday with a goal against the Bruins. If he gets back on track, he'll be on his way to a new career high.
Adam Fantilli: The future remains very bright for the Blue Jackets, and Fantilli figures to be a central part of their plans. While he's well behind his 31-goal pace from a year ago, his next point will set a new benchmark for him. Fantilli had a pair of assists two weeks ago in Columbus' win, and he has been about a point-per-game player in March (15 points in 16 games).
Hurricanes to Watch
Sebastian Aho: It might be counterintuitive to think that Aho is having a quiet season despite leading the team in points and averaging just over a point per game. Still, I don't think we truly appreciate the regularity with which he's scoring. Aho has points in 12 of the team's 16 games since the break, though one of those four scoreless outings came against Columbus.
Mark Jankowski: The fourth line has been relatively quiet over the last few games, struggling to find the scoresheet. Jankowski has just one point over his last eight games, though he has picked up his physicality over the last few contests. For the team to be effective, they need a little more from the bottom group, and it starts with Jankowski.