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For the love of all things good in the world, can we at least try to stop Evgeni Malkin?
Canes lost 6-2 and are now down 3-0 in the series.
Seriously, the only good thing about this game was the fact that I was able to snap a picture of Don Cherry and not have my camera break.
So, maybe you can't see the features very well - who else could pull off a jacket like that?
This game was just miserable to watch and is now even more miserable to recall. Every time I think of the goals scored by the Pens in rapid succession (in both the first and third periods) I just want to take my keyboard and slam it against the wall.
Game 4 is Tuesday. Canes play like this again and the season's over. Period. End of story.
Erik Cole stats: 1 assist
Playoffs: 4 assists
Well, crap.
Canes are down 2-0 in the series after losing 7-4 in Game 2. Definitely territory we haven't been in this playoff season. (However, for you optimists out there, don't forget Round 1 against Montreal in 2006).
The first period was a good one. I think. I didn't actually see it due to an awards ceremony running 40 minutes over. But the score was 3-2 in favor of the Canes (5 goals in a period! Of course I miss the most offense intensive period of the whole playoffs) with goals by LaRose, Jokinen, and Seidenberg.
Then came the second period, where the Canes didn't play as well. They looked to be going in the third with only a tied game, but they allowed the Pens to score with only eight seconds left in the period.
The third period just went downhill from there. Evgeni Malkin got a hat trick (Memo to Versus - nobody actually cares about his parents celebrating. Just FYI.) and the Canes let the game get away from them with sloppy play. The interesting part of the period was what happened with less than two minutes left. There was a huge scrum at the end boards, Bayda got a match penalty for high-sticking (I think?) and then was consequently fined $2,500. I don't really know what happened - I don't think Versus really went over it and if they did I didn't listen because I was just ready for the stupid game to be over.
The Canes certainly need to put out a better quality of game if they hope to beat the Penguins. The Pens driving offense (along with poor defense and effort on the Canes part) killed us in this game. We need to take it back to Raleigh and set the pace in our own building.
The Canes can do this. It'll be tough, but it can be just another comeback for them.
Chad LaRose stats: 1 goal
Playoffs: 4 goals, 7 assists
The Canes clinched a playoff spot with an overtime win over the Penguins last night!
Unlike other recent games, the Canes didn't look as well put together in this one, relying heavily on Cam Ward to bail them out. Luckily, Ward was up to the task, blocking 35 shots (including an Evgeni Malkin penalty shot that shouldn't have been called because he got a shot off on the powerplay - but whatever) and just generally looking spectactular.
Chad LaRose notched another one, and Anton Babchuk blasted one in overtime to win the game and the playoff berth.
YaY! It's been far too long in Carolina without a postseason - I am so looking forward to it!
Oh, and video proof that Sean Avery is a punk (if you needed it, that is). Respect for Tim Thomas just went up about five notches after that.
Next game is Tuesday against the Islanders.
Erik Cole stats: 1 assist
With the Canes: 2 goals, 9 assists
On the season: 18 goals, 20 assists
Chad LaRose stats: 1 goal
On the season: 19 goals, 12 assists
Canes lost in a pathetic attempt against Pittsburgh 4-1.
Now, granted, the whole game wasn't pathetic. The first period was good, the second period was the start of the decline, and the third period was a crash-and-burn-in-a-huge-mushroom-cloud sort of affair.
Kicking off the good part of the game was LaCouture mixing it up with Paul Bissonnette. And by "mixing it up" I mean getting his butt kicked. But it still was a way to get fired up at the beginning of the game.
Then Brandon Sutter got his first NHL goal off of a Brooks Orpik turnover (yes, it felt good to see Orpik look as inept as, well, our defense does...).
The second period, instead of building upon the success of the first period, the Canes just kind of skated around in circles, not actually doing anything. (Brookbank did make up for the rather lame fight in the first by getting some good shots in on Eric Godard).
Then came the third period, where the Canes just completely imploded. It started with Crosby tipping in a Malkin power play shot, and then 32 seconds later Fedotenko just waltzed through our defense and the game was 2-1.
Note to Canes: A one-goal game is NOT a comfortable lead.
Then I don't even remember the third goal, but it wasn't unexpected because the momentum was completely in the direction of Pittsburgh. And then an empty net goal was the dagger in the heart.
So, in summary, the Canes completely blew the game, not pressing offensively when they needed to and resembling Swiss cheese when they needed some defense, leaving me with a gaping hole of patheticness and a huge craving for a Primanti Bros sandwich. (Delicious sandwich... if anyone is ever anywhere near Pittsburgh, they must get one.)
Jeez, I feel like a broken record. It seems like every single game I'm begging the Canes to play a full 60 minutes. And y'know what? They never do! And y'know what? It makes them play like crap and lose!
So, please, Canes, please, actually put forth an effort in the 60 minutes against the Islanders, okay?
Canes play Pittsburgh tonight!
I just love going to these games. Not only to I get to boo the despised one, but they're always great, high-paced games. And it's always nice to see the Canes shut down the Pens young core, including Sid Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal. (er... knock on wood...) And there's the subplot with the Staal brothers fighting it out for family pride.
The lame news today? Apparently, according to the N&O, Erik Cole's goal has disappeared: Carolina's first goal Wednesday, originally credited to Eric Staal, then changed to Erik Cole, has been officially credited to Staal.
Can you say LAME? Oh well... Cole'll just have to make it up tonight!
So, maybe you can't see the features very well - who else could pull off a jacket like that?
