In pro sports, probably more so in hockey, every game is considered a critical game but on this five-game home stand, all games are critical to win and especially when you’re playing a team that is on a four-game losing streak and, on paper, you should be a better team.
That wasn’t the case last night when the Canes lost to the Detroit Red Wings 4-1.
The Carolina Hurricanes had a three-goal lead slip away from them at the start of the weekend against the Washington Capitals, before rallying back and beating the Arizona Coyotes in a 3-0 shutout to end the weekend.
Three weeks ago the Canes dominated the Leafs while getting off an unusually high 29 shots in that first period but the Leafs showed why they’re one of the top teams in the NHL as they were clearly the better team on the ice in a 4-1 win at the PNC Arena Tuesday December 11.
Ouch! This loss hurt big time. The previous 24 hours saw a gutsy move by team management – probably Rod Brind’Amour and Don Waddell with possible approval from Tom Dundon – when they put goalie Scott Darling on waivers. To a lesser degree, Valentine Zykov was also put on waivers, who was then picked up by Edmonton.
This past weekend was great for Carolina Hurricanes fans, with big wins over both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers.
After a bad loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets at the start of the weekend, the Carolina Hurricanes regrouped and played a tremendous game against the New Jersey Devils, all ahead of their big game against the Toronto Maple Leafs the day before Thanksgiving.
It was an emotional night for many of the current Canes and all of the Caniacs as Cam Ward made his first trip into the PNC Arena as a member of a visiting team. During the first TV timeout, there was a classy video on the Jumbotron about Ward’s 13-year career with the Hurricanes that had a great response by all in attendance including both teams, the refs and even folks on press row.
Ouch! This one hurt. Hurt real bad. After what seemed like a solid two-goal lead going into the third, the Canes allowed two goals, both by Anthony Mantha, to send the game into overtime and then the shootout. The Detroit Red Wings came out on top by a 4-3 score silencing the Caniacs that were anxiously awaiting the newest celebration.
The top line in the NHL did what they do best and tallied for all three Bruins’ goals while the Canes were only able to muster two at the PNC Arena the night before Halloween.
For the second time this season, the Carolina Hurricanes lost to to NY Islanders, both times 2-1 at the PNC Arena. The Islanders beat the Canes in OT on opening night then getting this win in regulation.