The Carolina Hurricanes are closer to the summit of the Southeast Division than you may think. Front-running Tampa Bay is tied in points with the Washington Capitals, each holding at 57 points through 46 games. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, will play just their 45th game this afternoon in Boston, where they take on the Bruins in the first half of a home-and-home series.
Hurricanes Vs. Bruins: Carolina Battles For Playoff Position In MLK Day Matinee
Simply put, if the ‘Canes can squeak out wins in each of the games they hold in hand over Washington and Tampa Bay, they’ll be just three points behind the division lead. More importantly, perhaps -- or maybe not since it’s only January -- Carolina will leap division rival Atlanta for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference with a matinée win today in Boston. Playoff seeding!
That won’t be an easy task, though, as the Bruins have quickly vaulted themselves into the elite group of Eastern contenders. Right there with Pittsburgh, the Capitals and Philadelphia, the Bruins get by with solid goaltending and phenomenal 5-on-5 play. They’re just second in the NHL behind the Flyers in goals for/against ratio at 5-on-5.
The ‘Canes are red-hot, though, and they’ve grabbed 16 points in their last 10 games to make themselves relevant again. They’re 11-4-3 in their last 18 (!). I mean, who saw that coming?
The Bruins hope to get Milan Lucic back today. He hasn't played in about a week after suffering an injury that the team hasn't addressed publicly. He'll be a game-time decision. In goal...
The puck drops at 1 p.m. Eastern. You can find the game on NHL Network in Canada, NESN in Boston, FS Carolinas in, um, Carolina and on NHL GameCenter or NHL Center Ice. We’ll be providing live updates, because you can’t beat holiday matinée hockey.
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