Despite playing phenomenal hockey for the season and of late, the
are just two points ahead of the New Jersey Devils for first place in the Metro Division. The Canes also have a game in hand against the Devils.
Obviously, that makes the match-up this evening a big one but with 17 games left in the season after tonight, it is not the playoffs.
Besides having a chance to beat the team chasing you, the more important part of tonight is that it will be the last time this season that the Canes have a chance to play the Devils head-to-head.