Preview: Canes vs. Islanders
Carolina gets right back to work fewer than 24 hours after locking up a playoff spot
When: Friday, April 8, 7 p.m. EST
Watch:Bally Sports South, Bally Sports App\
Listen:99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes.com/Listen, Hurricanes App
Canes Record:46-17-8 (100 Points, 1st - Metropolitan Division)
Canes Last Game:5-3 Win over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, April 7.
Islanders Record:32-28-9 (73 Points, 5th - Metropolitan Division)
Islanders Last Game:3-2 Loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, April 5.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:*
THE QUICK HITS:
Last Time Out:The Buffalo Sabres scored on both of their first two shots Thursday, putting the Canes in an early hole. After getting a little bit of life during the second period, Carolina was able to make it a one-goal game and then put up three in the third to come from behind and complete their 46th win of the year. Jordan Staal and Sebastian Aho led the way, each scoring twice, and Antti Raanta earned the victory in net, stopping 18/21 in total.
Playoffs? Playoffs!:Carolina became the third team in the NHL to clinch a playoff spot last night, joining the Florida Panthers and the Colorado Avalanche. This marks the fourth consecutive playoff trip for the Canes, the first time in franchise history that they've accomplished such.
Triple Digits:Last night's victory also moved the Canes to 100 points, just the second time in their history that they've reached that mark. The other time? 2005-06, the season that the team won their first Stanley Cup.
Don't Leave Early:With three unanswered goals in the third period last night, the Canes are now outscoring opponents 89-52 during the final frame of regulation this season.
Fredzilla:With Raanta having started last night and the team commonly splitting goaltending duties in back-to-backs, the team will likely turn to Frederik Andersen in net tonight. Although he suffered a loss in his most recent outing, Tuesday night in Buffalo, Andersen's 2.07 goals against average (GAA) leads the National Hockey League. His 33 wins rank tied for third and .926 save percentage (SV%) also rank third.
Number One Killers:Carolina enters tonight with penalty kill success rate of 88.0%. They've been tops in the league for months and currently remain on pace to have a higher final number than last year's number one penalty kill, Vegas, who finished at 86.8%.
Need A Helper:Jaccob Slavin and Tony DeAngelo are also creeping their way up some franchise history lists, both sitting third and fourth right now for assists by a defenseman in a single season. DeAngelo (35) and Slavin (34) sit only behind Frantisek Kaberle (38) and Joni Pitkanen (40).
Bear Update:Defenseman Ethan Bear has been out of the lineup since he suffered a lower-body injury last Monday night. However, after Thursday's morning skate, Head Coach Rod Brind'Amour said that Bear is now healthy and the coaching staff was discussing when to get him back into the lineup.
A Look At The Other Side:After a difficult start to their season due to COVID-19 and a hefty road trip before their new UBS Arena opened, the Islanders have surged their way up the standings during the second half. Since March 8 the team is 11-4-1, now just 13 points back of the Washington Capitals for the final playoff spot with 13 games to go. Anders Lee and Brock Nelson have led the charge, each publishing over a point per game during their hot stretch.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Milestones Within Reach: Max Domi's first goal with the Canes will be his 100th of his NHL career. Jaccob Slavin is set to play in his 499th NHL game this evening.
What Are We Wearing?:The team will be wearing their black sweaters tonight.
Worth A Click:
In, But Not Done: Canes Clinch Playoff Spot
Canes Clinch Playoff Berth With Win Over Buffalo
CanesCast 207: Drawing The Lines
Hurricanes April Schedule
NHL Standings
