Great Week has the Canes Thinking Playoffs

The Carolina Hurricanes have swept the Boston Bruins. Believe it or not, the Canes have gone a perfect 4 and 0 against the Big Bad Bruins which has to be the highlight of their season so far. To top it off, they beat a very good Los Angeles Kings team on Saturday night as well.

If the Hurricanes can play the rest of their games the same way they played the Bruins and Kings the playoffs are a definite possibility. Cam Ward was at the top of his game getting a 47 save shutout against the Bruins, including 22 saves in the first period alone. Eric Staal continued to build on a strong January as he scored again on Thursday night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUCnLwBfThs

The Hurricanes would love to see Staal keep up his current pace, because having him play at the top of his game is a must if the Hurricanes are to make the playoffs. Brandon Sutter had a big two point night as the secondary scoring was out in full force for Carolina.

Secondary scoring was a key against Boston, and not surprisingly it was a key against the Kings as well. Tlusty got his 11^th goal of the season while Jeff Skinner also scored for the Hurricanes, his third goal in five games. Cam Ward played well once again making 24 saves and getting the win. After a weak first period, the Hurricanes were able to come back and didn’t allow the Kings to score for the rest of the game. Before Saturday night’s game, the Hurricanes were 1-13-0 when trailing after the first period.

Building on these two games is a must for Carolina; they need to continue to improve and start playing with consistency from game to game if they are to make the playoffs. They still sit in last place in the Eastern Conference and are 11 points out of a playoff spot. It is a very tall task for any team in this position to make it back into a playoff spot, but if Carolina can build on these wins Rutherford might have to re-think the idea of selling off the veterans at the deadline.