Canes Extend Streak and Nip Devils, 2-1

Wouldn’t bother giving him a game off. He’s about to have 4-5 days in a row off thanks to the schedule.

THEN
A dominant fast team. They could transition quickly and they put the puck on the net. They were responsible defensively but didn’t need to play too hard in their own end. The offense was king. Stillman hit Cole at least once per game with a brilliant pass to send him in alone. Creative and loose, no team was able to stop this freight train. Rolling 3 lines, the cames were dominant in the 3rd period all season long.

RESULT…….2006 Stanley Cup Champions.

NOW

This team has exhibited a variety of ways to win. They can go on lockdown and beat a Devils team at their own game. They can open it up and outscore you. They are fast. They are deep. Notice how they are dominating in the third period again. Teams just cannot keep up. Cam Ward is having fun and just trying to do what it takes to win. They are working the defense first set to perfection. They are hardworking and disiplined, resilient and flexible.

RESULT……not sure yet but they look strong. I don’t see a team that really stacks up well against them. I am sure no teams wants to play them in the playoffs.

Conclusion

This team is a wiser, more mature, slightly different team that won the Cup. They seem to be more flexible. The biggest difference is their ability to stretch the defense. They can bomb it from the blue line and drive to the net. Respect has forced their foes to skate backward a lot. They do not have a Stillman type of passer but their defense is faster and more skilled. Eric Cole is the difference maker for this team. His addition has made all of this possible. Stillman was important for the 2006 club but now you have upgrades at defense, and the third line. They are better. We are looking at a team that is what JR envisioned when he made those great moves. (That guy is amazing. )

I am going to say it right now. This team will win the Cup this year. As long as they can get through without any key injuries, they will win the Cup. This is not based on feelings, this is based on what they are doing on the ice and how they match up against all the other teams. Who can beat them?

As it almost always does, it will take a lot of grit and determination, along with some luck, for any team to win the cup. In 06 it definitely helped us Buffalo took care of Ottawa and got banged up in the process (I’m pretty sure that Ottawa was the only team we didn’t have much success against in the reg season that year). We’re a very good team and I think we’re on the cusp of becoming a great team. The only team I would be worried about meeting in the playoffs is Boston. They’ve owned us this year, but we haven’t played them since our March renaissance began.
One thing is for sure, Coach Mo knows how to get the most out of his team in the playoffs. By the way, where are all the Mo haters now?

I agree about Boston. We are a different team now that is for sure. I have to believe it would be a 7 game series. The Cane’s experience being the difference. Laviolette was fun but Mo is magic.

You are so right about the out dueling last night. Did you see the look on Sutter’s face. It was like he realized that if the Devils play the Canes in the playoffs, he has no answers. He saw his team get picked apart in his building. What a telling moment. Brodeur had a couple of plays where he was trying to show some flair that he usually doesn’t indulge in. As if to say………..I am the winningest of all time youngster. You may have gotten me in 2006 but it was a fluke. Then the Canes tied it and smacked him in the mouth with the resounding win. That was a thing of beauty. Dare I say………..Cam Ward owns Brodeur and Marty knows it. Great comment I enjoyed reliving that moment.

Ken, I’m afraid you’re off the mark with your “Cam Ward owns Brodeur” comment. Ward and Brodeur have squared off in eight regular season games. Two in 05/06, two in 06/07, three last season and just one this season. Of those, Cam is 3-4-1. Of course he’s 4-1 against Marty in playoffs, but even if you include those, Cam’s lifetime numbers against Marty are 7-5-1. Hardly "owning’ him.

We should all be honest about last night. It wasn’t the best performance in the world, and we’re lucky to have won. It’s unacceptable that Zach Parise had 14 attempted shots including nine on goal. Ward stole the game with two spectacular saves on Parise. He might not be so lucky next time.

This team is looking good at the time when it’s most important to be good, but I think it’s a lot premature to start planning a parade route. Remember how awesome the Caps looked at the end of last season. They were on fire, but they sputtered in the playoffs. Remember the Devils in 06? They won something like 15 games in a row and they had the best goaltender in the world. They still didn’t win the Cup. That same year, the Wings were the best regular season team, but they got shocked in the first round.

Let’s not even discuss the teams in the West that are dangerous. We should definitely worry the most about Washington, Boston and Pittsburgh in the East. And just because we’ve beaten NJ three times this season doesn’t mean they’re nothing to worry about.

Well excuse me for believing the Stanley Cup is half full instead of half empty. Cam Ward is in Brodeur’s head. That is how I see it. I am sure my experience is different than yours. My experience tells me that Brodeur has beaten everyone but not Cam Ward when it counts. The playoffs are where it counts. 4-1………..owned. If Brodeur beats the Canes and Cam this year……….I will retract what my statement.

You are not looking at your team the same way that I am. My contention is that this team, with the addition of Cole, is literally and figuratively a different team. My contention is that the teams in the east are not going to stop a determined Carolina team.

I have been a fan of Hockey for 35 years. I do not say these things without thought. When they made the Cole trade, I went on this blog and said that this was the missing piece. That Cole was going to be the difference between making the playoffs and not. Cole would be the difference between a first round exit and a deep run. Now that I have seen how the team has pulled together and the defensive mindset, I now believe that he may be the difference that puts the Canes over the top. I am not surprised by this run the are having. I expected it.

I certainly hope that the rest of the world stays pessimistic like you sir. Let us fly under the radar again and get no respect. Good teams thrive on this stuff. This is the time our team needs us to rally behind them…………not to try to undermine their effort. What is the fun in watching your team if you don’t believe they can win it all?

I suppose, when the Canes win, I will feel vindicated. You and others like you will just be surprised. Either get on board or go root for the Craps and Oven Chicken.

Ken, I’m as excited about the way this team is playing as much as anyone. They are playing amazing hockey and are the hottest team in the NHL right now. But, it is “right now.” We just beat an NJ team who is in a slump. Just got back from a three game road trip where they lost every game. It wasn’t long ago that they were the hottest team in the NHL.

I have a lot of good feelings about where the Cane’s will go. I was in the ESA (as it was then) in 2001 and 2002 for the playoffs. Watched every 2006 playoff game twice. I’ve never felt like we’ve had a team as deep as we have now. I still understand the playoffs are a different monster. Teams play differently in the playoffs.

It is too soon to anoint the Cane’s “World Champions.” It is why there are games left. Chemistry is a fragile thing and we still have to shuffle lines with Cullen and Walker coming back sending Jokinen to another line. On paper it’s gonna look great. But do they keep Conboy and deactivate Bayda and Helmenin? That’s what I would hope as Conboy lights a fire every time he gets out there.

Because someone doesn’t want to say “Yes, we will win the Cup! Great thinking Ken!” Doesn’t mean they are not every bit as hopeful as you are that it will happen. Some people believe in jinxes. I would never say what you said so I don’t jinx my team. I may think it all day long, but I’m going to watch and see what happens instead of going with my feelings and boasting such an announcement. That does not mean anyone needs to go root for someone else. It does not mean they can’t challenge what you post. They are Caniacs and deserve respect as such. I do enjoy your enthusiasm though!

Just gonna roll my eyes. After Cam’s nut’s drop, call in about 10 yrs. Nobody owns MB, he owns everybody but Sawchuck and he will undoubtedly own him, too. Don’t let enthusiasm make you or the rest of the canes fans look stupid. Ward may own a starting spot on a PO team, other than a car or two and his home. He doesn’t own the greatest goalie to play the game. If Cam keeps on for another decade, then maybe he and you could venture there. Now it seems ignorant and irresponsible..

My .02

A

Jack, fair enough…you have your way…….I have mine. Paladin……You don’t deserve a response.

I cannot believe the optimism that you have now. I can remember back when you basically told me how stupid I was to think that this team was starting to show some life when they won in Toronto a couple of months ago. You also told me to get my head out of my a** because I said that you needed to be more optimistic. I just hope that if the team loses one game you will continue to believe in them and not write them off like you did before.
That being said. I do agree that the team looks great and I feel that they have a great shot against anyone in the playoffs and we will only get better when Cullen comes back. The only thing that we all need to agree on is that we want the Canes to keep winning and bring the cup back to Raleigh in June.

Thanks for the review basser. That was pre Eric Cole. This became a different team with his addition. Yes it is true that one guy can make that big a difference. The only knock I have on them is their toughness. Scott Walker will help that. This is exactly my point. I am not a fair weather fan. I am just saying the product that was on the ice was not good. Now with the addition of these two players and a coaching change and a style change that fits the team……….they now have as good a chance to win the cup as any team in the league. They are a better team than 2006 and I believe they will now win it all. Oh, they also cut Rod’s ice time giving him less wear and tear on his knee. All these were very positive steps and have resulted in a very complete team. My frustration earlier in the season was that some of those moves should have been made earlier. If they had, perhaps they wouldn’t have to fight and claw just to get in.

Yes one thing we all seem to agree on is that that damned cup needs to be back in Raleigh. ;-)

I read this on The Fourth Period.com today-
According to the Ottawa Sun, the Carolina Hurricanes are going to try to sign left wing Erik Cole to a contract extension before the summer.
Cole, whom the Hurricanes re-acquired from the Edmonton Oilers on trade deadline day, has meshed very well since returning to the team.

The Sun reports the Hurricanes will try to sign Cole to a contract with an annual salary worth in between $3 million to $3.5 million.

Cole, who can become an unrestricted free agent July 1, is making $4 million this season.

Of course Cole is making all the difference in the world. We needed him so bad and I used to dream of what a Staal, Ruutu, Cole line would do. Now we know.

I do have to include that the Jussi Jokinen trade ended up being huge. That guy is indispensable. He’s like a Swiss Army Knife. There’s nothing the man can’t do. So when Cullen and Walker get back… Who’s on the fourth line? Jokinen, Walker, Conboy?

Just saw on NHL.com that Ward is one of three to be up for the fan favorite of the week. Lets show him our support from Canes Country and make sure he wins. Everyone be sure to vote!

http://www.nhl.com/

I guess I am not the only person seeing this ………….

http://www.canescountry.com/2009/3/31/816253/thn-ranks-canes-1-in-latest-power?login=1238529295#add-comment