Canes Fall to Upcoming First Round Playoff Foe, 3-2

by Bob Wage on Apr 11, 2009 11:23 PM EDT in Hurricanes Game Related

The Carolina Hurricanes dropped their final regular season game to the New Jersey Devils earlier today by a score of 3-2. Later in the evening, the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Montreal Canadiens, putting them ahead of the Hurricanes in the standings. With the Flyers also winning today, the loss put the Canes into sixth place, meaning that their opening round opponent will be the New Jersey Devils.

We will examine the upcoming series in detail a bit later, but for now here is a brief review of the game.

The Devils opened the scoring when goalie Michael Leighton went behind the net to gather a puck which was sent along the boards. But instead of the puck traveling behind the goal as usual, it took a weird bounce right in front and David Clarkson was there to easily tuck the puck in the net.

About four minutes later, Anton Babchuk tied the score with his patented blast from the point on the powerplay. The Hurricanes looked good with the man advantage all game long, scoring twice on four opportunities.

Later in the opening period, Leighton again was victimized by an unusual bounce as the puck once again failed to run along the boards with him standing behind the net. This time Zach Parise picked up the loose change and put the puck in the wide open net. Both goals for the Devils required little or no effort, but the Canes did not give up.

After a scoreless second period, Anton Babchuk would once again light the lamp with another blast during a powerplay. The youngster from Kiev led all Carolina defensemen this season with 16 goals.

Both teams battled throughout the third period until once again Leighton went behind the net to play the puck, this time taking it before Tim Gleason had a chance to gather it. Brian Gionta took the puck along the boards and found Dainius Zubrus, who had beaten Rod Brind'Amour to the front of the net, and he put it past Leighton for the game winner.

The Canes finished the season with a two game losing streak, after winning nine in a row. Can they turn things around against a familiar playoff foe?

Tweet Comment 4 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

lets hope so.
they have been good at disrupting the devils suffocating play style,
minus a couple of fluke goals,
todays game was very close. (and went our way)

im very excited

by chrisj on Apr 12, 2009 12:21 AM EDT reply actions

I almost prefer having to play the Devils to the Flyers. Home ice would have been great, but as far as just opponents, I think we have a better shot against Marty and the Devs.
I’m certainly not saying that Marty is an easy goalie to beat, but I think right now Wardo is playing better and likes to bring his A game against his hero. It’ll be one of the lower scoring opening series almost undoubtedly, but I trust the way our D has been playing. Canes in 6.

by Mojo27 on Apr 12, 2009 4:24 AM EDT reply actions

HHHmmmm.........

Those two fluke goals were wierd. Too wierd. It makes me wonder if that is some kind of test for a strategy in the first round or in a game 7 of a series. I hope the league looks at that and the timing of it………..game before the playoffs. Looked like a game to check out a way to win in a pinch. They seemed to come from the same place. What a home ice advantage.

I said it earlier this year and everyone went off on me. Cam Ward has Brodeur’s number. This will be a quick series. Canes in 5 with the Devils taking one game in OT. The Canes will begin a bit slow then wear the Devils out. They are positionally more sound, their defense is superior and they have more depth and experience. The Devils have not played well for a month while the Canes are clicking on all aspects. Even though the Devils won yesterday, they cannot be feeling good about that win with those two fluke garbage goals against a second string. The Devils are ripe for the picking. Can’t wait. Its time for all you nay sayers to jump on the band wagon. This team is ready to go deep.

by KenRab on Apr 12, 2009 9:31 AM EDT reply actions