There’s no easy way to put it. The stretch run, and the final 20-game playoff push from today forward is going to be absolutely hellish for the Hurricanes.
The team currently sits 2 points below the playoff cut-line, but they have 3 games in hand on the Columbus Blue Jackets, the current holders of the final wild card spot. Unfortunately for Carolina, getting points down the stretch figures to be tough work.
Not only are the teams surrounding them going through hot spells recently (Rangers, Flyers) but 13 of the Canes’ 20 games are against teams that currently occupy a playoff position.