In Monday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings, the Carolina Hurricanes lost backup goalie Eddie Lack to a neck injury. He was released from the hospital Tuesday morning and was officially diagnosed with a neck strain. His recovery time is to be determined.
Andreas Athanasiou got a breakaway opportunity down the boards after a deflected Hurricanes’ shot on the other side of the ice in overtime. As he planted his skate down to drive to the net, his elbow and lower body appeared to collide into the face mask of Eddie Lack. Athanasiou was able to reach the puck around Lack’s stick and net the winner on the left side of the goal.
Lack has been hot for the Hurricanes as of late, averaging a .942 save percentage in his last five games. He had not lost a game since March 7. Lack has not been a shutdown goalie, allowing 8 goals in his previous five games, but he has made the saves that count and has been a huge factor in Carolina’s winning ways this month.
This leaves Cam Ward to mind the net for the foreseeable future. The veteran has been solid this year, averaging a .904 save percentage. Ward has only managed to win three games out of seven this month but always provides the team with a good chance to win.
He does let in an average of 2.72 goals per game, which often is the cause for Carolina’s high-scoring affairs. However, Bill Peters’ defense has been on point as of late. The line pairing of Derek Ryan and Ryan Murphy has worked incredibly well, with the Hurricanes giving up just their first power play goal last night in their last 17 seventeen penalty kills.
With Jeff Skinner added into the mix, the Hurricanes have been unstoppable. Skinner is tied for the longest goal streak in the NHL at six games, one shy of earning the longest streak of the season. He has scored 31 goals this season and now has three 30 goal seasons in his career. He is tied for third in franchise history for most 30 goal seasons alongside Rod Brind’Amour.
The Hurricanes sit on the cusp of the playoffs at 80 points, only four points behind the Boston Bruins, who hold the last wild card spot. Cam Ward has been in this position before and can use his veteran leadership to propel Carolina to their first playoff appearance since the 2008 season.
To make matters more favorable, the Hurricanes also have a game advantage on Boston, with eight games left on the schedule. If they can keep the offense going and continue their stellar penalty kill, Carolina may find themselves in the playoffs.