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NHL Power Rankings: Bruins climb as the Golden Knights fall

By Derek Grochowski

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 17: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Dan Girardi (5) and Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug (47) collide in the second period of the NHL game between the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning on March 17, 2018 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 17: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Dan Girardi (5) and Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug (47) collide in the second period of the NHL game between the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning on March 17, 2018 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 18: Trevor van Riemsdyk
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 18: Trevor van Riemsdyk /

23. Carolina Hurricanes (-1)

The Carolina Hurricanes decided to dump general manager Ron Francis with less than a full month left in the regular season. Then they decided it was a good idea to start interviewing right away. It was not. They had no takers for the job and they have decided to wait until the offseason to resume their search. Any general manager will have their work cut out for them. New owner Tom Dundon is aggressive and will push to be a winner right away. The first order of business will be to lock down the goaltending position and then add scoring. It is also tough to know if the general manager coming in will have control over coaching personnel, because head coach Bill Peters may be on his way out.

Carolina struggled through the week, picking up one win in four games and sliding to the edge of the playoff race. The Hurricanes sit nine points out with ten games left. It isn’t impossible, but highly unlikely. The losses this week are what really hurt their chances. The New York Rangers should have been a win for the Hurricanes, but they lost. Then were tougher games against the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers. Two teams with more points than the Hurricanes needed to beat to stay alive. They were able to pick up points Sunday by beating the New York Islanders. If Carolina is going to go on a run, this is the stretch to do it. This week they play the Edmonton Oilers, Arizona Coyotes and Ottawa Senators.

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