Canes’ weekend plans: celebrate ‘06 Cup, win two games
It’s a big week of celebration for the Carolina Hurricanes, what with the 10-year anniversary of the Stanley Cup championship and with several former players — and the Cup — coming to town.
A red-carpet arrival, champions tailgate, alumni fantasy game … a lot is planned for the weekend.
But there’s also the matter of trying to win two important hockey games. The Canes host the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders in a back-to-back Friday and Saturday, against two teams they’re chasing in the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference standings.
“We’ve got a big week in front of us and it’s exciting,” Canes coach Bill Peters said Tuesday. “We’re going to play two good teams with a lot of valuable points on the line.”
Peters said the activities planned around the Stanley Cup celebration should not be a distraction from the task at hand, smiling and saying, “We’re not going to any of the stuff.”
“I think it’s exciting,” Peters added. “I think it’s going to give us some energy and a boost.”
The Canes (24-21-9), who returned Monday from Montreal after a three-game road trip, were three points out of playoff position before Tuesday’s games. The Islanders (27-18-6) held the eighth position with 60 points but with three games-in-hand on the Canes.
Peters said he does not continually do the mental math, guessing how many points the Canes might need to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2009.
“I just know in our division it’s a good division,” Peters said. “Teams win every night. If you’re not winning you’re not keeping up. Points are valuable and head to head is the most important thing.”
The Canes on Tuesday put in their first practice in Raleigh since the All-Star break. Forward Kris Versteeg missed the workout at Raleigh Center Ice with what Peters said were flu-like symptoms, but defenseman Brett Pesce was able to practice after missing the past three games with a lower-body injury.
Peters said he was hopeful Pesce, who is on injured reserve, would be able to play Friday against the Pens.
The news of the megatrade Tuesday between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators had some of the Canes players shaking their heads after practice and was a reminder that some teams are open to making major shakeups. The Canes have eight of the next 10 games at home leading up to the Feb. 29 NHL trade deadline, an opportunity to prove they can be a viable contender for a playoff spot this season.
“It an important time of the year and an important stretch for us,” goalie Cam Ward said Tuesday. “Especially going into this weekend when you’re playing two divisional opponents, it’s big points up for grabs. It’s important that we continue to play well and take advantage of these moments to keep us in the playoff hunt.”
This story was originally published February 9, 2016 at 4:08 PM with the headline "Canes’ weekend plans: celebrate ‘06 Cup, win two games."