Storm Advisory 3/4/2019: NHL News, Rumors, Links, and Daily Roundup

Winners of five straight games, the Carolina Hurricanes had a day off on Sunday as they gear up for Tuesday night’s date with the Boston Bruins. There was a lot of hockey on the schedule around the league, though, including some games with playoff implications in the Metropolitan Division.

• Just because the team had the day off didn’t mean there was nothing going on in Canes-land yesterday. The annual Alumni Game was held at PNC yesterday, and included among other things Rod Brind’Amour wearing the C yet again, appearances from the likes of Jesse Boulerice and Bryan Bickell, and a whole bunch of money being raised for the Hurricanes Foundation.

• In an afternoon tilt, the now Metro Division-leading Washington Capitals picked up a win over the New York Rangers in what turned into a controversial shootout at Madison Square Garden.

Elsewhere, the Philadelphia Flyers handily beat the New York Islanders, who are now falling back down to Earth as losers of two straight games and six of their last ten. The Columbus Blue Jackets also find themselves in the midst of a skid after a 5-2 loss to Blake Wheeler and the Winnipeg Jets.

Congratulations to the NC State Icepack as they head to the ACHA D2 Nationals for the first time in program history. They’ll take their talents to Frisco, Texas in hopes of continuing their stunning run. [NC State Icepack]

It looks like the San Jose Sharks really dodged a bullet with Erik Karlsson, whose latest groin injury won’t require surgery. [NHL.com]

Carolina’s red-hot first trio of Nino Niederreiter, Sebastian Aho, and Justin Williams has become one of the top-15 best lines in fantasy hockey. [NHL.com]

The Hurricanes have seen their Stanley Cup odds get better and better over the last two months, but it’s still the Lightning’s trophy to lose. [The Hockey News]

Speaking of the Bolts, they tied an NHL record for fewest games played to 50 wins... [NHL.com]

Stalking the Standings

Everything came up Carolina on Sunday, except for Washington’s win at MSG. On the bright side, it was a shootout win, so the Hurricanes still own the ROW tiebreaker there. They’ll have to catch up to them for that to matter, though.

• Metro 1: Washington Capitals: 66 GP, 83 points, 103 pt pace, 34 ROW
• Metro 2: New York Islanders: 65 GP, 81 points, 102 pt pace, 34 ROW
• Metro 3: Carolina Hurricanes: 65 GP, 78 points, 98 pt pace, 35 ROW
• WC 1: Pittsburgh Penguins: 65 GP, 77 points, 97 pt pace, 33 ROW
• WC 2: Montreal Canadiens: 66 GP, 77 points, 96 pt pace, 33 ROW
• 9th: Columbus Blue Jackets: 65 GP, 75 points, 95 pt pace, 36 ROW
• 10th: Philadelphia Flyers: 66 GP, 72 points, 90 pt pace, 30 ROW

Rooting Guide

• Edmonton Oilers > Buffalo Sabres

With the Sabres quickly falling out of the Eastern Conference playoff race, you don’t have to worry too much about the results of Monday’s two games (Calgary vs. Toronto is the other game). Enjoy the night off, though, because Tuesday will be HECTIC...