from Luke DeCock of the News & Observer,

“I think we’re certainly getting the confidence that we can win a few more games than some of these other teams down the stretch,” Hurricanes defenseman Ron Hainsey said. “The toughest part of our schedule is behind us, which was really just this last month. There’s a lot to be optimistic about here.”

That includes Eddie Lack, who stopped 61 of 62 shots in two wins over the Blackhawks this season. Since Cam Ward went on the shelf with a concussion, Lack has a 2.17 goals-against average and .930 save percentage, a substantial improvement on his numbers for the season.

Still, as impressive as Tuesday’s win was, it’s important not to get carried away. To get to the 98 points likely required to make the playoffs, the Hurricanes will have to finish 20-7-4 or its equivalent. That’s an even faster pace than the one the Hurricanes have been on since early December.

There are still big questions to be asked – particularly of these precocious young defensemen going through the grind of an NHL season for the first time and of Lack even after Ward returns – but the Hurricanes showed Tuesday that they can skate circles around the NHL’s best, at least for one night.

more

Below, watch highlights of Carolina's 5-0 over the Blackhawks...