The NHL is officially back to work today as the All Star Game signage has been removed, (for the most part), the teams have taken back to the ice, and people are starting to talk about the playoffs again.
The Carolina Hurricanes, (25-19-6) continue their quest for postseason play as they host a familiar foe in the Boston Bruins, (28-15-7) tonight at the RBC.
The last time these two teams met, the Canes dropped both games of a back-to-back affair, first 7-0 in Boston, then 3-2 in Raleigh, a contest in which Tim Thomas stole the game. The Hurricanes shutout the Bruins 3-0 in the teams' first matchup of the season.
Tim Thomas was the first goalie off the ice for the Bruins earlier today and should get the start against Cam Ward. Thomas is having another Vezina type of year.
Patrick Dwyer was back on the ice for the Hurricanes and according to Twitter reports, was skating with the fourth line this morning. In case you missed it, Zach Boychuk was returned to the Checkers right before the All Star break.
Look for the lines to start out something like this:
- Staal, Cole, Samsonov
- Ruutu, Skinner, LaRose
- Sutter, Tlusty, Jokinen
- Carter, Dwyer, Bodie
- Gleason, Corvo
- Pitkanen, McBain
- Harrison, White
Hockeymom's game day guide will have more roster details:
Canes Country's Game Guide: Hurricanes vs Bruins Feb 1
For more info about the Bruins, check out Stanley Cup of Chowder. (Marc Savard is out and could be out for the season)
Eric Staal was named the NHL's First Star of the Week earlier today. He had two goals and two assists in the two games heading into the All Star break.
It's been reported elsewhere that this game was sold out already, but that report is not accurate. At the time of this posting, there are still tickets available for the game. The first 10,000 to arrive will get Brandon Sutter bobbleheads.
Previous hot streaks are pretty much moot at this point, since both teams are coming off a break. But for the record, Joe Corvo has the longest Carolina point streak going and has points in five consecutive games. Staal has scored in three straight.
Fun and games are over, it's time for the home stretch. Will the Canes start things off on a positive note? The game will be telecast locally by FS Carolinas starting at 7. We will have our open game thread rocking at 6:30.