The Carolina Hurricanes, (24-19-6) are currently just one point out of eighth place, (with two games in hand), behind the Atlanta Thrashers and both teams are in action tonight. The Thrashers are playing the Washington Capitals, while the Hurricanes are visiting the New York Islanders, (15-26-7).
Will tonight be the night the Canes finally work their way up to eighth place?
The Hurricanes should be ready for the home team as the Islanders played a tough game in Pittsburgh last night and lost, 1-0. The Isles have lost two games in a row and are 3-6-1 in their last 10.
The Canes are 6-4-0 in their last 10.
Kevin Poulin played well for the New Yorkers last night. Will he play again tonight? One thing for sure, Evgeni Nabokov will not be in net for them.
Cam Ward will tend the nets for the Hurricanes.
The Islanders are led by John Tavares, Blake Comeau, P.A. Parenteau, and Matt Moulson.
Lighthouse Hockey will have more about them.
Eric Staal still leads Carolina with Jeff Skinner and Tuomo Ruutu tied for second place with 40 points each.
Patrick Dwyer did not travel with the Canes, so look for the same lineup that Carolina used on Monday night. Paul Maurice interchanged forwards Zach Boychuk and Sergei Samsonov against the Leafs and will most likely continue to do so tonight.
- Staal, Cole, Boychuk
- Sutter, Samsonov, Jokinen
- Ruutu, Skinner, LaRose
- Carter, Bodie, Tlusty
- Gleason, Corvo
- Pitkanen, McBain
- White, Harrison
Sometimes, the last game before the All Star game can be a snoozer because many of the players are looking forward to leaving town or taking a few days off. But with so many Hurricanes participating, or staying in town, that should not be a problem for them tonight.
Will the Canes be in a playoff spot later tonight and throughout the break?
The game will be televised by FS Carolinas starting at 7. We'll have our open game thread cranked up at 6:30.