Only for Guild Members » Houston Texans Elite Jerseys

RALEIGH Jimmy Graham Jersey , N.C. — Two teams that are not in line to make the playoffs will see if they can gain some good vibes nonetheless with the end of the regular season just about a week away.

The New York Rangers visit the Carolina Hurricanes for Saturday night’s game at PNC Arena.

These teams were contending for a playoff spot, but they have mostly fallen by the wayside.

Now it’s a matter of trying to put on strong performances the rest of the way.

“We want to play the right way,” Carolina coach Bill Peters said.

The teams are in similar spots in the Eastern Conference standings below the wild-card playoff line.

The Hurricanes avoided official elimination with Friday night’s 4-1 victory at Washington, but their situation had become dire during the past couple of weeks.

The Hurricanes must win their remaining games along with the New Jersey Devils losing in regulation for the rest of the regular season to make the postseason.

Carolina has four games remaining, though Saturday night’s game marks the second-to-last home game.

“We’re not going to go out there and just throw our sticks on the ice Joe Flacco Jersey ,” Hurricanes goaltender Scott Darling said. “We want to finish strong.?

Rangers coach Alain Vigneault also said it’s an important time to conclude the schedule the right way.

“We’ve talked to our group about being professionals,” Vigneault said. “Having them to understand to come in every day whether it’s a practice or a game and give your best. (I’ve) given them very precise instructions on what we want them to do and how they can get better.”

The Rangers are 1-4-2 in their last seven games after allowing five goals in the third period of a 7-3 loss to Tampa Bay in its final home game.

Vigneault said he’s impressed with the positive reinforcements that have been provided from veterans such as defenseman Marc Staal and right winger Mats Zuccarello

“I’m very proud of how those two have conducted themselves,” Vigneault, noting the positive examples that have been on display.”

For Staal, this will be another chance to play against his brother Cris Carter Jersey , Carolina center Jordan Staal.

The Hurricanes have called upon several younger players during the past couple of weeks.

Still, since the last home game they reassigned forward Warren Foegele and defenseman Roland McKeown to Charlotte of the American Hockey League.

Foegele, 21, scored his first NHL goal and earned his first assist in his NHL debut against Ottawa on Monday and then added another goal the next night in New Jersey.

Carolina has had some recent shortcomings with special teams.

“Let’s not go to the box unnecessarily,” Peters said. “Let’s not take the penalties that are because of a lack of moving your feet.”

Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk returned to action Friday night after missing about a week with an upper-body injury. Peters said it was undetermined if Faulk would be used in both games on back-to-back nights.

The Rangers are 3-0-0 against Carolina this season Mike Hull Jersey , outscoring the Hurricanes by a combined 17-5 score. That includes a 6-3 win on March 12 when Jimmy Vesey recorded a hat trick and the Rangers blocked a season-high 30 shots.

New York is 14-3 in the last 17 meetings since April 8, 2014.

Linebacker Brandon Marshall and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas weren't with their teammates on the sideline for the national anthem prior to the Denver Broncos' game against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday night.

Marshall and Thomas emerged from the tunnel behind the Broncos' bench after the anthem was over.

In Arizona, Los Angeles Chargers starting left tackle Russell Okung raised his fist during the anthem prior to the team's game against the Cardinals.

The league and the NFL players' union have yet to announce a policy for this season regarding demonstrations during the anthem after the league initially ordered everyone to stand on the sideline when the anthem is played, or remain in the locker room.

Marshall has knelt in the past during the national anthem, following the lead of his college teammate Sebastian Janikowski Jersey , Colin Kaepernick, who started the protests in 2016 to bring attention to social injustices. They played together at Nevada.

Thomas hasn't been involved in the demonstrations but he wore the Malcom Jenkins "You ain't listening" T-shirt at a pre-camp barbecue last month.

Okung stood with his fist raised behind the rest of the Chargers players, who lined up on the sideline for the anthem.

This story has been corrected to note that Okung's first name is Russell, not Richard.

Houston Texans Elite Jerseys