Thanks to a month of March that saw the Carolina Hurricanes collect 25 out of a possible 34 points, they have managed to at least somewhat remain in the playoff hunt in the Eastern Conference.
They look to continue that pursuit on Saturday night when they host the Dallas Stars.
It will be Cam Ward getting the start once again for the Hurricanes after he stopped 23 out of 24 shots on Thursday night in their win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has allowed just five goals in his past three starts, all wins for the Hurricanes.
Overall it has been another tough season for Ward, but he has worked to salvage it down the stretch with some recent strong play. He has been good enough that the Hurricanes have been able to earn at least a point in each of his past eight starts and nine of his past 10.
Even with that stretch the Hurricanes will still need a minor miracle to secure a playoff spot, entering the night five points back of a wild card spot, but if nothing else they have made the stretch run a little more interesting with this stretch of games.
The Dallas Stars will be going with Kari Lehtonen.
Elsewhere on Saturday...
-- It was Tuukka Rask vs. Reto Berra for the Boston-Florida game, while Alex Stalock went against Pekka Rinne in the Minnesota-Nashville game.
-- Mike Condon tries to get the Ottawa Senators back on track when they visit the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets will go with Conor Hellebuyck.
-- It will be Cory Schneider vs. Michael Neuvirth when the New Jersey Devils visit the Philadelphia Flyers.
-- Andrei Vasilevskiy looks to keep the Tampa Bay Lightning on track in their playoff pursuit when they host the Montreal Canadiens. As expected, the Canadiens will go with their No. 1 goalie, Carey Price.
-- Frederik Andersen starts for the Toronto Maple Leafs when they make their final visit to Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings will start Jimmy Howard.
-- Cam Talbot will make his 70th start of the season for the Edmonton Oilers when they host John Gibson and the Anaheim Ducks.