Islanders at Hurricanes
If the Carolina Hurricanes are to entertain any realistic chance at securing the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, they'll need to continue to dominate the New York Islanders. Carolina vies for a season sweep and its seventh overall victory against New York when the Metropolitan Division rivals meet in Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday. The Hurricanes, however, are nine points behind in the wild-card race with only 11 games remaining on their slate.
Cam Ward, who turned aside 34 shots in Carolina's 3-2 victory over Winnipeg on Saturday, has flustered the Islanders during his career - posting an impressive 17-3-3 mark. Jordan Staal scored versus the Jets and also tallied in the Hurricanes' 3-2 victory over New York on Jan. 4. The Islanders' postseason aspirations vanished a long time ago, but they made their presence felt in the playoff picture by handing contending Columbus a 2-0 setback on Sunday afternoon.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG Plus (New York), FSN (Carolina)
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (27-35-9): Despite being hampered by a lower-body injury, Kyle Okposo continues to suit up on game day. "It doesn't matter what time of year," he told the Newsday. "You play if you have the chance." Okposo was unable to practice on Monday but traveled with the team and plans to face the Hurricanes.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (31-31-9): General manager Jim Rutherford announced the team had signed defenseman Justin Faulk to a six-year contract extension worth $29 million on Monday - and then hinted at a much bigger story. When asked about the offseason, Rutherford said that he was "really looking more at my situation and who makes those hockey decisions going forward." The Raleigh News & Observer noted that while Rutherford may remain as team president, Ron Francis - the team's vice president of hockey operations - likely will become the new general manager.
OVERTIME
1. New York RW Cal Clutterbuck seems to have put his scoring woes behind him by tallying three times in the last five contests.
2. Carolina LW Jeff Skinner notched an assist versus Winnipeg to snap a four-game point drought. Skinner has scored and set up a goal in two games against the Islanders this season.
3. Okposo collected a goal and an assist in New York's 4-3 loss to Carolina on Oct. 19.