The Carolina Hurricanes didn't quite make it to the finish line during regulation on Tuesday night, watching their two-goal lead slip through their fingers in the final three minutes. Fortunately, they recovered to kill a penalty in overtime and scored twice during the shootout to earn a 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in a big-time divisional bout.
The offense has driven the team since the Olympic break, with Tuesday marking their sixth game with four or more goals in their last seven. Only two skaters haven't recorded a point during this stretch. That hasn't been the problem. The Canes' defense has been spotty, at best. They have allowed four or more goals four times, including Tuesday night against the Penguins.
On the Other Side: St. Louis Blues
Last meeting: The Hurricanes visited St. Louis in mid-January, and they looked like a tired bunch during the second half of a back-to-back. After a scoreless first period, the Blues did all of the scoring in the second, striking three times against Brandon Bussi. His St. Louis counterpart, Joel Hofer, was perfect, stopping 33 shots to earn his fourth shutout in a 3-0 victory.
Positioned near the bottom of the standings in the Western Conference, the Blues were expected to be very active at the trade deadline. They made a few moves, sending former Hurricane Justin Faulk to Detroit, and trading their captain Brayden Schenn to the Islanders. However, they held onto Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou, while Colton Parayko vetoed being dealt to Buffalo, as was his right.
Their position only got worse after beating the Canes, losing eight of their final nine games before the Olympics. However, they've started to turn things around. The Blues have won five of their last seven, with points in their last five contests. They saw their four-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday night after blowing a 3-0 lead and losing in overtime to Schenn and the Islanders.
The Blues rank among the league's worst teams in several categories, but there is little denying the young talent that they possess. Chief among them is Joel Hofer between the pipes. He might've suffered the loss on Monday, but Hofer made 45 stops. He's on a personal five-game point streak since the break, with a .948 save percentage, eight goals against, and his fifth shutout.
Blues to Watch
Jimmy Snuggerud: Another of the Blues' future kingpins is Snuggerud, who has been excellent during his rookie campaign. He has been on fire lately, riding into Raleigh on three-game goal and point streaks, recording multiple points in all three. He factored on all three of St. Louis' goals against the Islanders and scored one of the Blues' three goals when the Canes visited in January.
Dalibor Dvorsky: One of the more surprising performers at the Winter Games in Milan was Slovakia's Dvorsky. He had three goals and six points during the tournament for the fourth-place finishers, including a big moment against Aho to open the Games. This momentum hasn't carried back into the regular season for Dvorsky. He hasn't found the score sheet since the end of January.
Hurricanes to Watch
Mark Jankowski: The fourth line has been incredibly noticeable lately, especially in Tuesday's win. Jankowski broke a goalless drought in the win, scoring for the first time since January 31 early in the third period. He might have a new winger joining the fun tonight, though, whether he does or not, I'm expecting to see more of the same from this group.
Mike Reilly: It has largely flown under the radar, but Reilly has played in almost half of the team's games this season. He has looked good since re-entering the lineup in Calgary, and he helped kick off the scoring against the Penguins on Tuesday. He quietly has points in three of the last six games he has played, going back to late December.