These are two teams running on fumes. The Jackets are just 4-6-0 in their last 10, including 2-4-0 in their last six. The Canes, after going 3-0-1 after a purge at the deadline, have lost five in a row (0-2-3), including a mirror image of what the Jackets did on Tuesday by blowing a lead to Buffalo with four minutes to go and losing in regulation.
The Canes are trying to do what Columbus is trying to do. They, however, were able to shed some contracts at the deadline, sending Eric Staal, John-Michael Liles, and Kris Versteeg packing.