OK ... nice result, but let's not go overboard, as it was hardly anybody's best effort out there. NJ was really, really pedestrian in the offensive zone and Carolina didn't exactly create a ton of chances either.
Big picture ... at least they're hanging around. Columbus is stubbornly refusing to surge, the Isles are stubbornly refusing to win (or play even rudimentary defense) and the Rangers and Wings threw in the towel at the deadline. That leaves Florida and they're doing their thing pretty hard at 8-2-0 in their last 10. Looks like a three team race between the Panthers, Canes and Jackets with only the Kitties surging over the past couple of weeks. Again, let's see where things stand by the third week in March.