The Carolina Hurricanes are only one point out of the playoffs going into the all star break, which many thought was impossible. Most preseason projections had the Hurricanes being in the bottom five in the league. Ron Francis was projected to a deadline seller, in the middle of a lengthy rebuild.
However strong play from young players, and specifically those along the blue line has kept the Hurricanes in the playoff hunt. Since December the Canes have gone 15-8-4 and earning a record of 7-3-3 in January. The Canes don’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. Heading into the break Goaltender Eddie Lack got hot in Cam Ward’s absence, and the Hurricanes beat the defending champion Blackhawks 5-0.