Hurricanes-Islanders: Pregame Ponderings

Happy Martin Luther King Day to all those celebrating! In recognition of the day, the Hurricanes and Islanders will be playing their game starting at 2PM, at the Nassau Coliseum.

General Colin Powell will be on the ice and dropping the puck during a special opening ceremony with Islanders owner Charles Wang and both team Captains. Way to go Islanders, excellent idea!

The Hurricanes are still riding high after their shellacking of the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night. Can they keep their positive thoughts and start some type of winning streak? The Islanders are on a 3 game home ice losing streak, although they have won their last 3 road games.

The teams have split their decisions so far this year as the Canes won the first matchup in New York 8-3, while the Islanders made up for it by beating the Canes in Raleigh 4-1, on New Year’s Eve.

It’s been reported that Michael Leighton will be between the pipes for the Canes. Erik Cole is expected to play as well. I think we can assume that the lines will be the same as on Friday night. Dennis Seidenberg is still out with a bad ankle.

There is still no word about John Grahame clearing waivers yet, but Spector is speculating that the Canes will carry 3 goalies. Sorry, but I don’t buy that. They don’t need 3 goalies here. Something else is up if all 3 goalies are on the roster tomorrow.

The game will be broadcast locally on FSN and the pregame show starts at 1:30.