Over the past two weeks, the Heat had won three of their past four games by playing a simple game where all three areas – offense, defense, and goaltending – were clicking, except for a three-minute spurt in Ontario that cost them two valuable points.
Although they gave up the first goal in each of the past three games, they stayed the course and played disciplined hockey. They had clawed their way to within five points of the final playoff spot. The offense had produced 18 goals while the defense limited their opponents to just 10 goals. In this stretch, the Heat beat San Jose for the first time this season and swept Colorado, going 6-1-0-1 on the season against the Eagles.