A Momentary Lapse of Reason - Panthers 4 Hurricanes 3
Hell officially froze over Friday night as the Hurricanes somehow blew their one time huge division lead and the Florida Panthers beat them 4-3. There are no excuses. The team had 9 powerplay opportunities to none for Florida, including two 5 on 3’s. They outshot the kittykats 46-17 and still couldn’t beat them.
What happened? It will require more careful thought and analysis, but a few things certainly did go wrong. Cam Ward didn’t have his best game of the season, but it wasn’t all his fault. While the defense did very well to limit the shot total to 17, they allowed too many breakaway chances and odd man rushes. Even though the Canes had almost triple the number of shots, Florida’s chances were of better quality.
Caniacs and bloggers alike will most likely have several months to determine what went wrong because there is no way that hell will freeze over again Saturday night in Washington.
Some other things do stick out to this blogger. Ray Whitney, Justin Williams, and Matt Cullen were simply not ready to return to action. Wouldn’t it make sense to make sure players at least took a couple of full contact practices before they are allowed to suit up for ultra-important games?
I think that the team also missed the physical presence of Wade Brookbank and Tim Conboy. Weren’t the Canes winning back when they were playing?
The team needs a decent back-up goaltender. You can’t expect Cam Ward or any goalie to play every single game down the stretch, including all of the back-to-backs, with no break.
Bottom line, the Canes lost 3 out of their last 4 games to blow their season long division lead. It seems inexcusable, but it happened. I’m at a loss right now for anything else to say, but I’m sure I’ll have more “brilliant insight” tomorrow.
Pink Floyd
About the Author: Bubba is a hockey fan/citizen journalist who has always wanted to be a sportswriter and is pursuing his dream. He also writes a Hurricanes blog for 
Matt | Apr 5, 2008 | Reply
I am completely disgusted at the result of that game. After holding on to the divisional lead, we managed to lose to Tampa Bay, and Florida, to likely lose our chance for a playoff berth. Regardless of our injuries, with the exception of Brind’Amour and a few others, we would have been near full strength within the first round. I AM DISGUSTED WITH THIS PERFORMANCE- IRREPREHENSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!
KRP | Apr 5, 2008 | Reply
NHL.com has already put Washington at #3, even though we’re still tied for points and have more wins. What’s up with that crap??? No, nothing is rigged at the NHL. Yes, we all know Ovie will win tomorrow and we’re eating crow again. Sigh. Bottom line: Cam was inconsistent again, and so was the team. Up and down all year. Drama. The Caps got Federov and Huet at that other good guy at the trade deadline. We got Samsonov, Corvo, and an injured player. They did better, in the end. We needed a better backup. I said it all along. A team rides on the quality of its goaltender. You can’t win a Cup w/o solid, consistent, excellent goalie play. In 2006, when Cam faltered, Gerber came in and did the job. We don’t have anyone else to do the job now. And I agree bigtime w/Bubba. The injured guys were not ready to come back. We should have stayed w/what we had. Once the physicality dropped off, so did the winning. So, another long summer. Maybe this will get the guys back into shape, we can peel off some of the aging vets, and tune up this team around Staal for youth, speed, and power. Best of luck to all. Have a peaceful summer.
John | Apr 5, 2008 | Reply
You don’t need any brilliant insight. They blew it, plain and simple. I’m glad I went out last night instead of watching this game.
Bill | Apr 5, 2008 | Reply
KRP,
They put the Caps at three because of the game in hand. If the Caps lose, they’re out. It’s a tough nut for both teams who were hurt by the loser point ways of the Rags and B’s. I swear the Rags played like 30 OT games this year.
Knows The Rules | Apr 5, 2008 | Reply
keep it in your pants KRP. First standings tie breaker is games played. the playoff tie breaker is wins. as the canes have played more games, the Caps are ahead since they have the chance to accrue more points.
oh, and HA HA HA HA HA HA
Lari | Apr 5, 2008 | Reply
The tiebreaker goes to Washington because they have played less games, therefore having a better winning percentage. If they lose, then we win the next tiebreaker which is head to head.
KevinC | Apr 5, 2008 | Reply
The Caps are in third via winning percentage. This was explained on NHLN last night.
KevinC | Apr 5, 2008 | Reply
And there’s no such word as irreprehensible, irregardless of what you think.
John S | Apr 5, 2008 | Reply
You cannot win at the NHL level allowing 4 goals on
17 shots. Having said that, I among others was shocked when they brought Graham back this year. Coach clearly lost confidence in him, it was too much to ask Wardo to play this many games in a row.
He had a bad game at the wrong time. We need a NHL
quality pairing in goal.
I also agree with the prior comment regarding Brookbank and Conboy. Both contributed in ways that do not show up in the stat sheet.
It will be a long summer ………..
go caps | Apr 5, 2008 | Reply
HAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
repenttokyo | Apr 5, 2008 | Reply
KRP - Samsonov did not come in at the deadline. Corvo did not come in at the deadline. Regardless, those two players have made a huge difference for the team this year and I think they are excellent acquisitions, especially Corvo, who has THRIVED in the Canes system and will continue to do so for many years to come, I hope. Look at their individual stats and then tell me how exactly they failed to contribute to the team down the stretch run? Corvo had more points than any other D in the league in the month of March!!!
grapejoos | Apr 5, 2008 | Reply
I don’t mean to kick you guys while you’re down (nothing is decided yet), but can you please give it a rest with the “it’s rigged!” nonsense? Your team just lost a game with a 9-0 powerplay advantage and going into that game Carolina had more powerplays than any other team by a big margin. Nothing is rigged. In fact, in the only way officiating can consistently affect the outcome of an NHL game, Carolina has benefited more than any other team in the league. If the Canes don’t make the playoffs, it will be because they couldn’t get it done when it mattered.
Fred | Apr 5, 2008 | Reply
I went to the game last night and I was very disappointed afterwards. First of all, the Caps haven’t won anything yet, but if they do: Good luck to the Caps and I actually want the Southeast to win the Cup again this year.
This way it will be even sweeter when we knock off the division champs next year.
SamsonovFan | Apr 5, 2008 | Reply
It does boil down to the following: chemistry and health. “The team also missed the physical presence of Wade Brookbank and Tim Conboy. Weren’t the Canes winning back when they were playing?” Whitney, Williams, and Cullen were not ready. Even if they were close to being ready, there was a chemistry that was gelling. I am very happy with the aquisitions the Canes made. Ruutu, Corvo, and Samsonov have been great. The intangible is HUSTLE on both ends and FIERCE DESIRE.
J's Canes | Apr 5, 2008 | Reply
What a pile of crap!!! I can’t take this ending to the season. Whitney was clearly not ready to come back because his puck handling was embarrasing. For next season we certainly need a solid back up goalie b/c Ward’s fatigue was the nail in our coffin. Can the greaseball(Graham)and get someone who can win a game. I say we get younger, sign all of the new aquisitions #14, #15, #44 and #77 and let the vets who kill our momentum go. I love Brindy but as far as I’m concerned w/ Whitney he is expendable. I know he was our leading scorer last year (did we make the playoffs ?) but I just think he somehow hinders our chemistry. Again, what a bunch of CRAP !!!
repenttokyo | Apr 5, 2008 | Reply
I think you need to relax and realise how ridiculous it is to state things like “Brindy is expendable” and so is Whitney. How exactly did Brindy hinder chemistry from the press box over the latter half of the season? How has he done anything other than give his heart and soul for the team over these past few seasons?
A number of long term injuries to crucial personnel should have ended our season many months ago, but the team fought on and managed to make serious challenge for the playoffs. That is quite impressive. The team will be even better when everyone is healthy next year.
I think everyone should take a deep breathe before they start laying the blame on anyone person for what happened over the course of an 82 game season.
SamsonovFan | Apr 5, 2008 | Reply
The Canes need the physical edge (as well as youth… too many injuries and energy problems playing back-to-back or even when they have morning skate). When they are strong defensively, play physical, and *finish their checks*, there is just enough time and room for the skill players to do their thing and score - sometimes creating odd-mans. Even just before Commie was traded, he started playing more physical edge and with more hustle. That helped them win games and get on a roll. Helps to have the deterrent nuclear bomb sitting on the bench (Brookbank). I like Conboy’s and Ruutu’s play. That gives Staal and Samsonov collective team respect to do their job in Lav’s system. Agreed, sign all the new players, especially Samsonov, Corvo, and Ruutu.
SamsonovFan | Apr 5, 2008 | Reply
As much as this hurts, I am happy that the Canes fought to the end and played their hearts out yesterday. I come to this site and read all of your posts every single day of the season. It is a honor to be a part of such a strong community. I cannot wait until next year. Respectfully, J.
SamsonovFan | Apr 5, 2008 | Reply
I agree with repenttokyo.
RobZ | Apr 5, 2008 | Reply
I cant believe you people are bitching about the Rangers having played OT games lol what a crock. You had a chance to put Washington away last week and you folded….Washington has more talent and younger, you wont be knocking them off for awhile sorry to tell you.
Bubba | Apr 6, 2008 | Reply
Thanks for the comments to all of you. Hope you keep visiting because the blog will continue to be active during the off season. Cheers.
J's Canes | Apr 6, 2008 | Reply
Repenttokyo…Please take a little more time w/ my comments before you accuse me of being a Brind’Amour hater. I totally agree with your rebuttal. I love him and would love to see him as our captain as long as he can go(2 - 4 years???). It’s Whitney I have an issue with.
marc | Apr 6, 2008 | Reply
They actually played to the end this season, through injuries, unlike last season where they kinda used injuries as an excuse and folded. I think the difference was the hunger and physical presence that the call ups brought with them, as well as the shrewd trade deadline pickups. They could’ve used injuries as an excuse, but didn’t and made a run at it. Still, I’m disappointed. I think the mistake was trying to rally the troops around the injured making a return for an important game (a la Cole in the Cup final) as opposed to keeping up the physical presence and hunger of the Albany guys. I would like to see the ‘Canes get younger and more physical on D. Keep the speed up front, and get a decent backup goalie. Ward is almost at the point where he can steal games, and that is when goalies get scary good. Anyways, thanks Bubba and if you ever want to know what it was like to watch the Whalers at the mall, you’ve got my e-mail.
JDC | Apr 7, 2008 | Reply
I was really, really disappointed that the Canes couldn’t win one last game, but the one that really gets me is the loss to Tampa Bay last Saturday. If they’d won that game this would be a far different story.
That being said, I’m really proud of the way the team played through injuries that would have caused lesser teams to pack it in and feel sorry for themselves. The Canes didn’t do that, they just played harder. I hope that we (and I) don’t lose sight of how well they played toward the end of the season. From the All-Star break until the last week of the season they looked like a real contender in the East. Why couldn’t they pull out one more win in the last week? That’s a question that’s going to haunt me until next season. I hate “What ifs?”, I try to deal with the reality of the situation, but this is going to stick with me for a while I think.
I’m pulling for the Caps in the playoffs. They’ve got a lot of skill, and any amount of success they have in the playoffs lends a little more credibility to the SE conference. If enough of us down here win The Cup they’ll have to respect us, and to hell with them if they don’t.
Good luck, Caps! You’re already playoff tested, now go do your thing and bring home The Cup!