They Said It: Brind’Amour, Foegele following Friday practice in Florida

The Carolina Hurricanes picked up a big 4-2 win over the Florida Panthers Thursday night, vaulting the Canes into first place in the Central Division with just over two weeks left in the regular season.

The Canes grinded the Thursday night win out, killing off eight of the nine power plays the Panthers had en route to the win.Jordan Martinook, Nino Niederreiter and Sebastian Aho (twice) scored in the win, as Alex Nedeljkovic was strong in net once again.

The Hurricanes practiced in Florida Friday afternoon ahead of its eighth and final regular season game against the Panthers Saturday. Following practice, head coach Rod Brind’Amour and forward Warren Foegele spoke with members of the media via Zoom.

Here is everything they had to say:

Rod Brind’Amour

On the Canes having a chance to clinch a playoff spot Friday night and on if it carries the same weight as a couple years ago: I don’t know, to be quite honest. I didn’t even know that. You’re educating me. I don’t really look at the standings. I glance, but you just can’t. There’s too much hockey left. We have to worry about tomorrow night. If we get in tonight or tomorrow night or whatever, that’s great. But we have to try to focus on being our best tomorrow. Getting in would obviously be nice to have that there, but our focus has to be on one day at a time.

On Jordan Martinook’s status: He’s not great, that’s for sure. I can’t tell you the extent of it because we don’t know. I’m hoping it’s not a long-term injury, but he’s not gonna play tomorrow.

On what the main objective is of a practice like Friday’s between two games against the same team: There’s a few things. We didn’t practice everybody today. We’re not going to morning skate tomorrow, so really it’s almost like a morning skate today. We’ll go over some video and try to touch on one thing so we’re better at one thing for tomorrow.

On if Teuvo Teravainen could play Saturday: I would hope so, but I don’t think so. He looked really good today. I’ve got to make sure I remind myself to tell him that. He still just doesn’t feel quite right. I think we’re getting closer. I certainly hope so, but I don’t plan on him being in tomorrow.

On Petr Mrazek’s status: I would doubt him tomorrow. He’s kind of right now in the same boat. He’s nursing something. I think if we had to play him he could go, but it’s not really worth it.

On whether James Reimer or Alex Nedeljkovic will be in goal Saturday: We’re gonna go back here now and figure that all out now that we kind of know where everyone lies. I guess everything’s up for debate at this point. Either one of those guys.

Warren Foegele

On how much they pay attention to the standings: Everyone kind of looks at it. We’re just curious what’s going on in the league. But I guess from like a team standpoint, we’re not really focused on other teams. We’re more focused on ourselves. I know a couple guys we browse just because we are curious.