The Canes have arrived at their first clinching possibility. A win, combined with a Habs loss to the Panthers clinches a playoff spot. The Habs game is at 1, so we’ll know before warmups if they can clinch.
After surrendering a goal in the first 23 seconds, the Canes answered 18 seconds later and held the Habs off the board the rest of the night. They held the Habs to just 15 shots. Ahos’s line led the way, Jackson Blake had his first 3 point night and Taylor Hall scored another PP goal. Svech was back and provided an empty netter to close out the scoring. The boys practiced yesterday but there was no word on any line changes. With an early start today, there won’t be a skate, so we’ll have to wait until RBAs presser. Expect Kochetkov in goal; after 2 stinkers, he needs to get his mojo back.
The Islanders have improbably climbed into the playoff race. They’re 3 points behind the Rangers, in a 5 team race for 1 wild card spot. And it appears that none of them want it. None of the Rangers, Habs, Jackets, Isles or Red Wings have won more than 4 of their last 10. The Isles lost to Tampa last night, too. Anders Lee leads with 26 goals; Bo Horvat and Kyle Palmieri also have at least 20. But after trading Brock Nelson at the deadline, they only have 2 others with at least 10. Noah Dobson has 26 assists. Tony DeAngelo has 12 points in 17 games since the Four Nations break, which leads the team. Ilya Sorokin played last night, we could see backup Marcus Hogberg today. He’s been good in limited work, 1.92/.931 in 10 games played, 7 starts, including the January 25 games against the Canes. He allowed 2 goals on 26 shots in regulation but sustained an upper body injury late and was replaced by Sorokin for OT. The Isles are 25th in goals per game, 18th in goals against. Their special teams are bad, 31st on the PP, 30th on the PK.
Black jerseys today, FanDuel for TV
After surrendering a goal in the first 23 seconds, the Canes answered 18 seconds later and held the Habs off the board the rest of the night. They held the Habs to just 15 shots. Ahos’s line led the way, Jackson Blake had his first 3 point night and Taylor Hall scored another PP goal. Svech was back and provided an empty netter to close out the scoring. The boys practiced yesterday but there was no word on any line changes. With an early start today, there won’t be a skate, so we’ll have to wait until RBAs presser. Expect Kochetkov in goal; after 2 stinkers, he needs to get his mojo back.
The Islanders have improbably climbed into the playoff race. They’re 3 points behind the Rangers, in a 5 team race for 1 wild card spot. And it appears that none of them want it. None of the Rangers, Habs, Jackets, Isles or Red Wings have won more than 4 of their last 10. The Isles lost to Tampa last night, too. Anders Lee leads with 26 goals; Bo Horvat and Kyle Palmieri also have at least 20. But after trading Brock Nelson at the deadline, they only have 2 others with at least 10. Noah Dobson has 26 assists. Tony DeAngelo has 12 points in 17 games since the Four Nations break, which leads the team. Ilya Sorokin played last night, we could see backup Marcus Hogberg today. He’s been good in limited work, 1.92/.931 in 10 games played, 7 starts, including the January 25 games against the Canes. He allowed 2 goals on 26 shots in regulation but sustained an upper body injury late and was replaced by Sorokin for OT. The Isles are 25th in goals per game, 18th in goals against. Their special teams are bad, 31st on the PP, 30th on the PK.
Black jerseys today, FanDuel for TV
