Hurricanes keep getting better, look to dispatch Rangers

The Carolina Hurricanes got well in a big way. Now it's a matter if they can build on that.

They'll have a chance to do so against the New York Rangers on Monday night in Raleigh, N.C.

The Hurricanes have an Eastern Conference-best 49 points after winning 5-2 on Saturday against the visiting Detroit Red Wings to snap a three-game losing streak.

What was most rewarding for the Hurricanes was holding another third-period lead and not fading after they had surrendered multi-goal leads in the three losses during their skid.

"Especially with what we've just gone through," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said, "just play."

The Rangers' 2-0 loss to the New York Islanders on Saturday marked the team's eighth shutout defeat of the season.

"Is there ever enough offense? Probably not," Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said. "We always wish for more. We didn't finish on the ones we had (against the Islanders)."

Sullivan said the Rangers are capable of being sharper, particularly in decision-making on when to shoot.

The Rangers can gain confidence from having goalie Igor Shesterkin in the nets. Shesterkin saved 24 of 25 shots he faced against the Islanders and has a 2.51 goals-against average.

"We don't always give him the goal support he probably deserves," Sullivan said.

Carolina forward Eric Robinson has a career-best three-game goal streak. Teammate Andrei Svechnikov has a five-game point streak (three goals, six assists).

Svechnikov's goal and two assists against Detroit were signs of the impact that he can make, particularly with his third-period goal coming after the Red Wings trimmed the gap to 3-2.

"We need him on the scoresheet, obviously," Brind'Amour said. "But we need him to be on the No. 1 line, you notice him."

The feel-good moments were all around for the Hurricanes after a rough week leading up to the Christmas break. Veteran forward Jordan Martinook registered his 100th career goal Saturday with an empty-netter, with the milestone coming in his 754th game and following a three-game injury absence.

With Martinook and William Carrier, who had missed one game, back with center Jordan Staal, it gave the Hurricanes a line they've come to count on.

"That's our comfort line," Brind'Amour said. "To have both those guys back is huge for so many reasons."

Carolina will have goalie Pyotr Kochetkov well-rested with at least a week off if the Hurricanes turn to him in net. Or they could stick with Brandon Bussi, who's 12-1-1 with a terrific 2.10 goals-against average in his rookie season.

However, Kochetkov made 26 saves to blank the Rangers 3-0 on Nov. 4 in New York. The Rangers evened the series with a 4-2 triumph Nov. 26 in Raleigh with Carolina using Frederik Andersen in the nets.

The Hurricanes will wait to learn the playing status of defenseman K'Andre Miller, who was a gametime decision and sat out Saturday night with a lower-body ailment. Miller is a former Ranger who has 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in his first season in Carolina.