Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals: Game Preview and Storm Advisory

The not-playoff-bound Hurricanes take on the playoff-bound Washington Capitals tonight in DC in what might be the Canes’ last stand of the season.

Game Notes

• The Hurricanes trail all-time with a 61-83-24-1 record, including a 29-44-11 record in DC.
• Tonight’s matchup is the last in the season series between the teams. The Hurricanes have posted a 1-1-1 record in the first three games. Interestingly, all three of those games came in the span of 11 days in January.
• The Caps took last season’s series by a record of 3-1-0.
• Sebastian Aho (2g, 4a) and Teuvo Teravainen (2g, 4a) led the team last season with six points in the four game series against Washington.
• Since the 2005-06 season, the Canes are 31-3-6 when they score three or more goals against the Capitals.
• The Capitals are on fire of late, winning their last five straight and picking up just one loss in their last ten games.
• Thanks to the Devils’ overtime loss to the Penguins last night, the Canes still technically remain alive for a playoff spot, but they need to win out and have the Devils fail to earn a point in any of their remaining games. (So you’re telling me there’s a chance...)

Storm Advisory

• Sidney Crosby scored his second goal of late with a baseball swing as the Pens topped the Devils, clinching a playoff spot for the Caps and keeping the Canes alive...barely. [NHL]
• An accountant signed to an amateur tryout played goalie for the Chicago Blackhawks for 14 minutes last night, and he actually played pretty well. [NHL]
• And Greg Wyshynski of course had a little fun at Ron Francis’ expense when said Blackhawks emergency goalie stepped in and made a few saves last night.

• Josh Ho-Sang isn’t happy with how the Islanders have handled his season. [ProHockeyTalk]
• Once upon a time in Springfield, Massachusetts...