The Carolina Hurricanes currently are sitting outside of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but if they keep playing the way they have of late, they’ll continue to rise up the standings – and the THN Power Rankings as well.

The Canes can’t be considered an elite team (such as our top-ranked Vancouver Canucks), but with seven wins in their past 10 games, they’re now within a single point of their Southeast Division rivals in Atlanta for eighth place in the East and have played three fewer games than the Thrashers.

As they did last season, the Hurricanes are attempting to make bygones for a slow start to the season. And once again, star center Eric Staal is leading the way (22 goals and 46 points in 44 games); Staal is on course to finish with 41 goals and 85 points, a total that would be his best since his career-high of 45 goals and 100 points in his sophomore season of 2005-06.

In addition, Carolina’s other key player – goalie Cam Ward – is earning his keep: he’s put up a 2.67 goals-against average and .921 save percentage in 37 games.

The Canes will continue to depend on goal production from rookie-of-the-year candidate Jeff Skinner, but they’ll also need contributions from veterans Tuomo Ruutu, Jussi Jokinen and Erik Cole to stay in the hunt for a post-season berth.

The Hockey News ranks the teams 1-30 each Monday based on a combination of last week’s play and a squad’s overall outlook.

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