I haven't blogged about the games for the last week because i've been at Disney World.  I love the Canes, but I don't have time to blog when I'm on vacation ;)  So I thought a little commentary was in order...

The Carolina Hurricanes are 12-1 this month, and that includes a really tough stretch of games from January 13 to January 28 that included 9 games with no more than one day off between games, and one 2 day 2 game road trip.

Aside from a tiny glitch January 21 when the Canes lost to the lowly Washington Crapitals, the team came out smelling like roses, and have lost only one game so far this month.

They've gotten fabulous goaltending in 13 games this month too, with Cam Ward and Martin Gerber only giving up 2.38 goals per game.  Compare that to 3.64 goals per game in December, 3.23 goals per game in November, and 2.91 goals per game in October.

And they've done all this through a myriad of injuries, with various key players going out at different times.  Just as Glen Wesley returned to the lineup on Wednesday, Matt Cullen broke his jaw, so he and his 34 points have gone on injured reserve.  And Cory Stillman has missed the last 5 games too.

Thankfully though, Aaron Ward will be back soon (he practiced the other day), and the 2-1/2 week Olympic Break coming up February 13-27 should give us a chance to get everyone healthy for the final 25 games of the season.

I keep looking at the standings and somehow, Ottawa still manages to be keeping pace.  Although we're 4 points ahead of Ottawa right now, we've also played 3 more games than they have.  Ottawa is a dominating team that has outscored their opponents 202-112 this season.  By comparison, Carolina has outscored their opponents 193-156.

Right now, I'm not concerned about making the playoffs.  We've got an 18 point lead on Tampa and we're 24 points up on Atlanta, with a game in hand against each.  I'd really like to get home ice throughout the playoffs, and that means winning the Presidents' Trophy.  That would be truly awesome.

Bring it on!  GO CANES!