The Canes enter Tuesday's game against the Rangers exactly 8 points behind Columbus. Columbus also plays tonight. A Canes loss or Columbus OTL or better officially ends the Canes' playoff hopes, so sadly tonight is likely to be the official end of the 2013-14 Carolina Hurricanes season.
In the other race, the Canes are in a heap that will ultimately be seeded 6-10 in the upcoming draft. Right now the Canes would be 6th with 79 points. Then it is Winnipeg and Ottawa with 80 points and Nashville and Vancouver with 81. I am not the kind who can root against the Canes, but I am checking the standings and rooting for the other teams in the draft order phase of the season to win.
As far as the game goes, I continue to watch more with an eye to 2014-15 season almost as if April 2014 is an extended preseason. Things I am watching:
1) The power play that failed the team when it really needed it has been much better of late. Andrei Loktionov has been a significant addition and helped spark the 2nd unit with a combination of passing/playmaking but more so just a good sense for what to do and where to go with and without the puck.
2) Ryan Murphy and Elias Lindholm. Might this be their last game in a Canes uniform this season? The Charlotte Checkers took a big hit to their playoff hopes losing 3 straight last weekend, but are still part of a 4-team battle royale for the last 2 playoff spots. Terry and Boychuk were already returned to the AHL. The Canes could send Lindholm and Murphy to help with the final 4-game push that starts Thursday. Though NHL playoffs would be preferred, Lindholm and Murphy could both benefit from a chance to play AHL playoff hockey.
3) #20 for #12. The total is not overly impressive, but it would still be nice to see Eric Staal net his 20th goal to extend his streak to 8 consecutive seasons not counting the lockout shortened season.
I would also like to see Loktionov paired with Skinner more at even strength. They are seeing the ice together on the 2nd power play unit which has been very good, but most of their even strength ice time has been apart. Skinner mostly creates his own offense, but could he benefit especially consistency-wise from having a skilled player helping create scoring chances? If this duo could find chemistry, it could be a great start to building an opportunistic scoring 3rd line especially if they could add a big body who can skate, create some space and go to the front of the net.
What say you Canes fans? Do you think Lindholm and Murphy will be in Raleigh for the home finale or sent as reinforcements for Charlotte's push? Can the power play momentum carry into 2014-15? Or is it just a random surge? What else are you still watching as we wind down 2013-14?
Twitter=@CarolinaMatt63
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