It seems like for the past month or so, we have been touting each game as having "playoff implications", and well they have been. But the coming games are more crucial than ever at this point, beginning with tonight's game in Atlanta.
The Thrashers have had a pitiful last month or so and are coming off another loss to the Flyers last night. The Hurricanes still can't take them for granted though, as Don Waddell could have the team fired up after reading this today by Scott Burnside on ESPN.com. I happen to agree with Burnside, but couldn't he wait another day to post that?
Wade Brookbank is still questionable for tonight and Dennis Seidenberg stayed back in Raleigh. My guess is that Jeff Hamilton will see some action and play some point on the powerplay to take Seidenberg's spot there. Matt Cullen is on hiatus and didn't make the trip. The Carolina lineup will be something like this....
- Staal-Samsonov-Cole
- Letowski-Ruutu-Eaves
- Aucoin-Bayda-Walker
- Hamilton-Conboy-Jensen
- Hedican-Gleason
- Wesley-Wallin
- Corvo-Kaberle
Cam Ward will start in net. Gametime is at 7 and it will be broadcast locally by FSN. The broadcast will also be in HD.