‘Canes trying to blow way into playoffs

By Bud L. Ellis

Four games ago, the Carolina Hurricanes began what they hope will be the finishing kick they need to reach the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Hurricanes have won three of their past four, starting with a 1-0 victory over Buffalo on March 15. The Sabres currently occupy the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

But the Hurricanes are knocking on the door, sitting just three points behind Buffalo in ninth place. Toronto is in 10th, two points in arrears of Carolina.

If the Hurricanes are going to leap past the Sabres and hold off the Leafs to slide into the postseason party, they will need to play well down the stretch. It won’t be easy. The Sabres come to Raleigh on April 3, followed three days later by Western Conference power Detroit. Washington, the Southeast Division leader and second in the East, plays the Hurricanes at home on March 29.

Carolina also plays host to Montreal on March 30 and faces division rival Tampa Bay on Friday, Saturday and in the regular-season finale April 9.

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Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 8:48 pm by bud

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