Canes, Cole, Whitney back in action

I'll take a brief pause from my musings on the Chris Simon incident to touch on something closer to home.

After a four day break in the schedule, the Hurricanes are back in action tonight at the Cap MCI Verizon Center to take on the lowly Capitals. Simply put, the Canes are going to have to win this game. This is a game the Canes should win, and they know that they will have to win every one of these "should win" games plus steal a few of the "should lose" games if they want to make the second season.

Encouraging news for the Canes. Erik Cole and Ray Whitney, who have both missed a few games recently, are "probable" for the game. However, defenseman Bret Hedican is out. Anton Babchuk has been recalled from Albany to replace him. Supposedly, his suspension and assignment has a much better attitude.

Carolina is not, as some have been saying, in a "three-way tie for eighth place" in the east. They and the Leafs both have 73 points with 14 games left. Rangers also have 73 points, but they've got a game in hand and hold other tie-breakers over the Canes.

The Canes will have to win, and they will have to start winning big time. It could conceivably come down to a tiebreaker involving the goals for/goals against spread.

Puck drop will be at 7:30, and will be on Canes TV. I'll be working, but I have the DVR all fired up.