Staff photo by Chris Seward
• Photo gallery: Penguins 7, Canes 4
• First Look: See 228 raw images from Game 2
PITTSBURGH — The Carolina Hurricanes' hopes of a Stanley Cup are beginning to fade.
The Canes still have that dream. They still have playoff life.
But the Pittsburgh Penguins, after a 7-4 win over Carolina on Thursday night at Mellon Arena, have a 2-0 series lead and seemingly all the momentum in the Eastern Conference finals.
The Pens also have Evgeni Malkin. The big, skilled forward was at his best in Game 2, scoring a hat trick, tormenting the Canes and goaltender Cam Ward with his moves, his strength, his relentlessness around the goal.
Malkin's second goal, with 11:10 to play, gave the Pens a 5-4 lead. But it was his third, with 7:35 left, that had everyone shaking their head.
Controlling the puck behind the Carolina net, Malkin skated to the right circle, spun and unleashed a backhander that sailed past Ward's head to make it 6-4.
Tyler Kennedy added an empty-netter in the final two minutes for the Pens.
The best-of-seven series now shifts to Raleigh and the RBC Center for the the next two games. But if the Hurricanes can't find a way to slow Malkin or match the Penguins' prolific offense, it may not be able to turn the series back around.
The Canes need something — more from Eric Staal, more from its power play, more from Ward. More of something.
Ward had a 5-0 career record in Game 2 playoff starts and had never allowed more than five goals in a playoff game. And the Hurricanes twice bounced back from series-opening losses to win Game 2 in these playoffs.
But this is a different series and a different, more dangerous opponent.
Chris Kunitz's goal with 7.3 seconds left in the second period pushed the Pens in front 4-3 and had Mellon Arena rumbling.
The Canes answered early in the third, getting a goal from Patrick Eaves — Ryan Bayda finding Eaves open in the slot for his first goal of the playoffs — but Carolina couldn't hold off the Pens.
Hurricanes forwards Erik Cole and Tuomo Ruutu were injured in Game 1 — Cole on a knee-on-knee hit and Ruutu spraining an ankle — and it wasn't known until the Thursday morning if either would be able to play.
Cole played but Ruutu did not, and Ruutu's availability for Game 3 on Saturday remains doubtful.
The Canes led 3-2 after a fast-paced first period, getting goals from Chad LaRose, Jussi Jokinen and Dennis Seidenberg to offset an early goal by Sidney Crosby and then Malkin — the Pens' big guns.
The Penguins tied it early in the second. After killing off a Crosby tripping penalty, Max Talbot scored on a hard slapshot from the left circle, beating Ward blocker-side.
After a Joni Pitkanen shot from the shot, on a 4-on-4 with 7:30 left in the second, the Canes did not have another shot on goal in the period.
A power play — Carolina's second of the period — went for naught and the Pens kept the puck in the Carolina zone late in the period.
In the final seconds, Kunitz and the Pens' Bill Guerin teamed to outfight the Canes for the puck, and Kunitz scored.
So many pucks flew in the the net in the first period that it was like a morning skate shooting drill.
Crosby got it started at 1:51 of the period, hopping up after a hit from Jokinen to smack in a shot at the right post. Just 1:16 later, Staal made a spinning move near the left circle and fired the puck to the front of the net, and LaRose whacked in the puck.
At 8:15 of the first, Malkin scored his first goal. Tyler Kennedy attempted to stuff a shot in. Malkin, coming off the bench, skated in to corral the loose puck.
But in 25 seconds, the Canes tied it 2-2. Rod Brind'Amour, behind the goal, passed to Scott Walker, who got the puck to Jokinen for the score at 8:40.
The Hurricanes then took their first lead of the series when Seidenberg unleased a shot from the right point.
Canes coach Paul Maurice had Cole on Matt Cullen's line with Sergei Samsonov. LaRose opened on Staal's line with Whitney, with Brind'Amour centering Jokinen and Walker.
Pat Dwyer made the first playoff appearance of his career, replacing Ruutu in the lineup and centering the fourth line.
####
Evgeni Malkin capped his hat trick with a no-look backhander that’s given the Penguins a 6-4 lead deep into the third period.
Malkin won the puck on a draw on the left circle, circle around the net before, with his back to goalie Cam Ward, backhanded the puck by him at 12:25 in the third period. …
The Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin has given Pittsburgh the lead back, 5-4, at 8:50 in the third period.
Malkin was there in front of Carolina goalie Cam Ward was pelted by slapshot and allowed the puck to go loose. Malkin tried on one rebound, was denied, but got the second opportunity by Ward. …
Carolina forward Patrick Eaves scored his first goal of the playoffs and first goal ever against Pittsburgh, as the Hurricanes’ fourth line tied the game at 4-4 at 2:35 in the third period.
Ryan Bayda won a battle for the puck behind the net and passed to the slot, where Eaves elevated his shot past Marc-Andre Fleury. …
Pittsburgh forward Chris Kunitz gave the Penguins a 4-3 lead with 7.3 seconds left in the second period.
He scrapped the puck along the left boards and then moved towards the slot before elevating a wrist shot past Carolina goalie Cam Ward, sending the Hurricanes into the second intermission down a goal. …
At 3:11 in the second period, Pittsburgh center Maxime Talbot tied the game at 3-3.
The Hurricanes’ Dennis Seidenberg broke his stick on a good-look slapshot and Sidney Crosby chased down the puck and passed it to Talbot in the neutral zone.
Talbot got behind the Hurricanes' defenders, who left it up to goalie Cam Ward to stop Talbot. Ward didn’t. …
Hurricanes’ defenseman Dennis Seidenberg has given Carolina a 3-2 lead at 12:10 in the first period.
It was his first goal of the playoffs and was a blast from inside the blue line that Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury couldn’t stop. …
Another pair of quick goals has the game tied at 2-2 in the first period.
Pittsburgh scored first, again, at 8:15 when Evgeni Malkin emerged from the bench and went straight to the crease to put in Tyler Kennedy’s pass from behind the net.
But 25 seconds later, the Hurricanes answered. Center Rod Brind’Amour, from behind the net, got the puck in front of the net, where Scott Walker missed but Jussi Jokinen didn’t at 8:40. …
Just over three minutes into the game and it’s tied 1-1 at Mellon Arena.
The Penguins scored first at 1:51 after Pittsburgh center Sidney Crosby put in a wrap-around pass from forward Chris Kunitz.
At 3:07, Carolina center Eric Staal fired from the left circle and Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury couldn’t come up with the puck, which trickled by him across the goal mouth. Forward Chad LaRose moved to the crease and put the puck in. …
The Hurricanes have taken the ice for pregame warmups before Game 2 against the Penguins. Erik Cole is in uniform and on the ice and Tuomo Ruutu is not.
The pregame lines:
LaRose-Staal-Whitney
Samsonov-Cullen-Cole
Walker-Brind'Amour-Jokinen
Bayda-Dwyer-Eaves
Michael Ryan also dressed for the warmup. Defenseman Anton Babchuk will be a healthy scratch for the third straight game. ...
Among the onlookers are scouts from the Detroit Red Wings, the defending Stanley Cup champions. Making an appearance tonight is Steve Yzerman, the former Wings star and a team vice president. ..
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
They rocks, lol daily show
Tue, 07/28/2009 - 02:37 — makemineThey rocks, lol
daily show videos
I Am A Caniac - Tried & True
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 09:37 — penaltykiller74I must say reading all these posts, and removing the absurd ones from Pittsburgh and Detroit fans, I cannot stand with the Hurricanes fans that are giving up.
The Canes are only 0-2 right now. We've been there before. We've beaten Pittsburgh before. We've eliminated two of the top three seeds in the Eastern Conference.
Those things speak volumes.
The Canes are not just going to "fade away" as Chip says the Cup hopes are.
I'd like to say to all the Carolina Hurricanes fans who are giving up right now, reply to this post and tell me where I can come to pick up your jerseys, car flags, posters, hats, shirts, and anything they gave you free when you walked in the arena before when they were your team cause they were winning.
Fair weather fans are WORSE than die hard fans of opposing teams.
They were counting us out of the playoffs in November and December, and what now?
Grab a set and root for your team.
GO CANES!!!!
Well said...
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 09:54 — PensFanBandwagon fans are worse than die hards for other teams. "Bandwagoners" usually know nothing about the team, but spread their opinion everywhere, leaving the die hards when things don't go their way. As a huge Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates... yes the Pirates, Pittsburgh fair-weather fans are the worst of the worst. I have heard trash-talking by these fans and they couldn't name anyone other than superstars!
We real fans know this is not over and that the Canes are a quality team, as are the Pens.
All goals last night 5 on 5, the PPs in this series are not good.
Better Players
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 08:52 — esteban1949yes there are times wen it seems some teams do have better players as well as better coaching staffs. But let us never forget that while we fans do and are expecting the canes to sweep or roll over the pens the rest of the way...and for the Canes to crush Detroit or Chicago and waltz away with the Cup, But seeing that none of us here are on the team roster, have contracts to play in the NHL...i think we all should just sit back, let the team we love and support go out and do the best they can with what they have...and let happen what will happen.Win,Lose or Draw, Either way, we are still their fans...are we not ?
Go Canes !!
Win, Lose or Draw
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 10:17 — ammy144I agree. I love the Canes no matter what. They have taken all of us on a great ride this year and it is not over.
Well said. I'll always be
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 09:27 — gocanes2Well said. I'll always be a Hurricanes' fan!
Agreed.
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 11:16 — NCBuff_CaniacI sat through the 02-03 debacle and renewed my tickets for o3-04, so I am a die-hard Caniac. Even though they've dug themselves a deep hole, they can still barbeque the Pens. See you at the RBC tomorrow night, Tuesday night and on the 31st!
GO CANES!!!!
Let us not hoist the white
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 07:49 — SkylinerLet us not hoist the white flag of surrender just yet. Many seem to anticipate the Fat Lady singing ( and while she has not yet hit that high note it does seem she's in the wings clearing her throat), but Yogi was right, "It ain't over till it's over." The Hurricanes are my team, but I"m not a "fly out the window with them" type of fan and have to wonder where our defense is. Please, would a more knowledgeable fan explain Tim Gleason's presence on the ice for me? He just seems to be out there picking Daiseys while Malkin backhands one in without any discernible challenge. Either at the RBC Center on watching on TV I unable to determine Tim's value to the team. I'm suspect it's there, I just don't recognize it. And when was the last time Frank Kaberle hit anyone ....I mean really hit....(or Anton Babchuk...when he was in there...for that matter. I don't think the Hurricanes are ready to do a Brody into one of the three rivers just yet, but unless we begin playing Hurricane hockey we'd better buy some life preservers. We are for you Carolina. Show us you want to win.
Gleason
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 08:05 — wolfpackcaniacWas it not Gleason that laid out to keep the puck in the zone at the point in Game 7 vs NJ and poked it to Pitkanen who passed to Jokinen for the game tying goal?
Every game yall point to some player and criticize their entire existence. Give me a break. Our team is good, even great (2nd or 3rd best in hockey right now). Just turns out we are playing the 1st best team in hockey. But anything can happen- thats why they play the games. We have 2 home games now - (taking it one at a time of course) but heres to heading back to pitt with the series 2-2 (hmmm... but who can we critcize if that is the case...)
Hey "Wolf"...thanks for the
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 08:36 — SkylinerHey "Wolf"...thanks for the input, but I'm speaking of overall performance..not just when he laid out to block a shot or even when he got his goal. Mine was not a criticism, but an attempt to understand why Tim is on the ice. You obviously see something I don't but offer only one play out of the many season he's been with the team to support your position....not exactly a strong defense of what I interpret to be a lack of (something). And don't misunderstand, I like him, met him, really a nice person. I'm struggling to see his contributions. Maybe my understanding is not really important. What is imortant is that we both support the team. I'll be there Saturday yelling like crazy and yes, even supportring Tim....though I'm not sure why than for any other reason than team loyalty.
Yes, it was Gleason. I
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 08:30 — gocanes2Yes, it was Gleason. I think he's been amazing thus far.
I do find
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 07:18 — esteban1949find it rather interesting at all the " creative" energy expelled by others in putting down another teams efforts with terms like Sham wow and goobers, pansies and etc. it is sad that in the name of " free speech " that on a lowly sports blog, we fans of the hurricanes have to put up with people who sound a lot like members of the US House & Senate..IE: flapping their jaws saying a bunch of words and not say anything rational,prudent or relevant to an issue at hand. But then again, should any of us here really be totally surprised ? to many of those nay sayers, sure maybe the Canes shouldn't have made the playoffs, but they did. Yes the canes are down 2 games to Nil...but it aint over until it's over. besides i didn't see of those nay sayers and congressional wanna be wind bags sign any but a multi year contract to play left out...must be tough, to play left out like that huh ? What team was that again you play left out for ?
Go Canes !!
What the...
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 06:31 — PensFanI came on here to call out WOOOOOOOOOOOO... who actually stated that Crosby was done after game 1 (what a terrible post that was), and all I read is Canes fans giving up. How can you be the "Cainiacs" and give up after two games. We all know this series is far from over.
And something else... some posters have said "If we have to play cheap to win I would rather lose." You know who you are! Did you see the Seidenberg knee to knee on Adams in the first 3 or 4 minutes? The only reason it wasn't a big deal is Adams wasn't hurt. And that BS at the end with Bayda cross-checking Letang to the face. Not to mention the sucker-punch in the last series. So get off your high horse (Your team is not above playing cheap) and enjoy the rest of the series... it's going to heat up!!!
Game 3 -- Series is Starting
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 07:17 — abramsdougNobody is giving up on the Hurricanes -- at least not Hurricanes fans. A series doesn't really start until there is a loss at home. The Pens are formidable and have shown why they are an elite team. The Hurricanes have to refocus and win two games at home. I also thought that the Hurricanes lost discipline and was disappointed Bayda cross-checked Letang. I continue to believe that there are plenty of opportunities for any one who wants to slam an opponent to do so cleanly and between the whistles; and that the after whistle cross-checks have no place in the game. I don't like it when the Pens do it; and I like it even less when the Hurricanes do it.
I agree
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 07:30 — PensFanwhole-heartedly. This series is just starting... the Pens only held serve. But, read the posts and MANY of the Canes fans have begun throwing in the towel. This is still far from over. Hoping for a great series (and still expecting one).
Throwing in the towel?
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 07:46 — mdavidhall"MANY Canes fans are alreay throwing in the towel"?
Really? So far there are something like 29 responses to this thread.
That's not even "MANY" responses. And perhaps 1/3 of those are from folks who are obviously idiots no matter what side of the fence they sit on.
Real Canes FANS have not thrown in the towel my friend.
Do we need to play a lot better - especially defensively - on home ice? Sure. But nothing has been settled yet.
-m
I know I haven't thrown in
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 08:37 — gocanes2I know I haven't thrown in the towel! It's not over until one team has 4 wins! Let's go CANES!!!
2 Down, 2 to Go
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 05:56 — Engineer77Can't blame the refs this time, can we? I remember when I was in the 2nd grade, I used to blame the refs too. Get a life and some hockey IQ Canes fans.
The bottom line is that the Canes don't deserve to be in this series in the first place. They were lucky to get by the Devils and then they took the Bruins, a half-hearted injury decimated team, to 7 games.
Now they're facing a team with passion and skill. Malkin and Crosby...25 and 24 playoff points respectively. Eric Staal...14.
Even cheap shot artists Walker and Jokinen can't make a difference. The Canes can't even beat a couple of Europeans in a fight.
2 to 3 more games and its golf time!
P.S. I'm not a Pens fan.
We know you're not a Pens fan...
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 07:45 — whirligigjumptheshark. Just be jump the shark already.
Canes
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 05:51 — spartanfanHockey in the Sun Belt is stupid...
GAME OVER
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 00:21 — loneywatchSWEEP
Everyone chill
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 23:57 — DenovoinncNeither Canes fans bemoaning how their sky is falling nor Pens fans elevating their team to God-like status is accurate, at this point. Sheesh, even the guy who wrote the article wants to throw in the towel. Granted, the Pens have done something the other two contenders didn't -- win two in a row at home -- but is it really that far fetched to think that Carolina could actually win two in a row at home, even against a team anointed as the Deity after outplaying us (ok, badly outplaying us) for one period? I'll concede that facing the Pens is like looking at yourself in the mirror -- the Canes simply cannot trade goals with Pittsburgh (Murice said this before the series even started). But Carolina's defense has always been spotty...kind of like Pittsburgh's. What has been consistent for the Canes is that their D is never consistently spotty. And for those on either side that think this thing can't turn around on a dime, have you been paying attention? The Canes were written off after game one in Boston, written off after game five in NJ, and now, again, written off after two games of a seven game series. Game one was a toss-up. Game two was a toss up until the third. Pitt fans, I'll grant you that you made the Canes look silly tonight in the second half. But YOUR defense looked like crap for the first 20. What I saw was a clear change in strategy about halfway through the second. The Pens started pressuring the Canes, man-to-man, in the D zone, sort of like a full court press in basketball. But like anything else, this can be figured out. The "where is Eric Staal" questions were just as loud in the Jersey series...and in the Boston series too, come to think of it. But, as a Canes fan, that's not my concern right now. I'd instead ask -- where is our solid defense? And where is our power play? We'll find them eventually. I just hope it's not too late.
great, levelheaded post.
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 08:14 — gocanes2great, levelheaded post. Thanks for that!
brockmarion, from one Pens fan to another...
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 23:55 — DownThat40I'm a Pens fan here in the Triangle... And please do the rest of us Pens fans of a favor, and shut up. The Canes are a VERY formidable opponent and Cam Ward is an exceptional goalie. Even up 2-0, to underestimate them would be a huge mistake. It ain't over till its over.
I'm not a Pens fan, you
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 00:14 — brockmarionI'm not a Pens fan, you idiot! read the entire post before showing your stupidity! I'm a Wings fan! But don't worry, we'll beat you chumps again in five or six! Red Wings! Canes are lame and Penguins are frigid in the Cup Finals. No Lemieux for you!
Now I know why I have a
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 08:10 — gocanes2Now I know why I have a very bad impression of Detroit fans and hate the Detroit Red Wings.....classless, at best.
But we're not Cupless
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 11:02 — brockmarionBut we're not Cupless like the Canes are this year. Sham Ward! Is the RBC still stuck in the middle of a cow pasture?
classless
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 12:31 — gocanes2last time I checked the Cup has not been awarded yet. AND this series is not over yet and neither is the Wings/Blackhawk series. Go Canes! Go Blackhawks!
Sham Wow and Sham Ward
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 23:14 — brockmarionOh! Cam Ward is undefeated in game seven's. Cam Ward has never lost a game two after losing game one. Well he lost tonight. Let's examine the track record of Sham Ward: He wins a series in `06 against a depleted Sabres squad (top three defensemen out). He wins a series vs. Edmonton (in seven games after being up 3-1) against a backup goaltender! He beats the no scoring Devils (after their captain was out for three games) in a lucky win, no thanks to his efforts in another game seven. And he helps defeat the young, and over-rated Bruins in overtime after being up 3 games to 1 AGAIN. But this series, he is facing a team that can shoot and thanks to him, they can score, it seems at will. Just answer two questions "Caniacs". If Sham Ward is so great, where are his Vezina trophies? Where are his nominations for the Vezina, even? Where was he over the last two years when the Candy Canes didn't even make the playoffs in the SouthLeast Division? All I know is this: I saw mucho hats on the ice tonight because Cam Ward couldn't stop Malkin or three other shots. Wardo, how great he is. Of course take solace in this Caniacs, better to lose now than be crushed by Detroit, because if the Pens can score at will on Sham Ward, I can see about four hat tricks in four games against the Wings. We've got Cups and you've got....chumps. The Canes are who we thought they were!!
That's one of the most rude,
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 07:59 — gocanes2That's one of the most rude, classless posts I've ever read! Sure, Ward did not have a good game last night. I'll give you that. (He also got very little help on defense) You can't argue that he's been stellar in the rest of these playoffs....but, you probably are blowing smoke and didn't actually watch any of the other two playoff series. Honestly don't care about a Vezina trophy. But, he helped win the Stanley Cup three years ago....that's usually what a team strives for, right? But, can't rationalize with you so I'll just save my energy. For some people it's very hard to give credit where credit is due. We beat the #1 team and the #3 team for a reason . We 've been a great team up until this point. I'll give credit to the Pens, they're a great team. It will be very difficult to stop the best players in the league (Malkin and Crosby), but I know the Hurricanes will keep on trying and I wouldn't count them out yet. Let's go Hurricanes....win at home!! The RBC center will be ROCKIN'!!
Good to see the real Canes fans.
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 23:12 — JadosaGood to see the mostly classy fans I was expecting. The series is far from over, don't lose hope yet. I'm glad the Pens are up 2-0 but so were the Caps last series. Play well at home and it becomes a best of three. It's a race to 4, I'm not relaxing till the Pens get there, if they do.
Game 3
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 22:28 — mwenglert919Tuomo Rutuu-we need you-can you play on Saturday-early on we played the body and kept the puck deep-then we let up and they put the body on us.
Tuomo we need you because you do not stop putting the body on them for 60 minutes-get well and play saturday-RELENTLESS BODY and we will win in game 3.
I heard a Pens fan yelled "Defense" and they through him out of the game-REMEMBER DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ALL SPORTS-PLAY D AND WIN-LET`S GO CANES !
defense
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 22:17 — mbjwell it was nice of both team's defense to take the night off.
We're done....or are we?
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 22:17 — AN0NYM0USWe made the mistake of trading punches with a puncher. Not smart hockey--and not our game. Get the puck in deep and get the circle game going. End to end rushes will not work over 60 minutes. Powerplay remains enigmatic--we need to put pucks on net--all too often we look for the perfect shot--which rarely materializes. With Fleury, it doesn't have to be perfect. Go to net and cash in on rebounds. We have time to turn things around--if we learned anythng from NJ and Boston--never, never underestimate the Canes....
Game 2 : CANES 4 PENS 7
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 22:17 — mwenglert919The ghost of Eric Staal where are you ?-we need you but you were ghosting tonight-we do not have a chance if you play like this again-you are a GREAT player and I realize that you will not score a goal in every game-but there is so much else you can do-when you will you do the other things-you will score again-I hate to say it-but I did not see the effort from you tonight-is something wrong ?
These are THE PLAYOFFS and with two days off - the whole Canes team should have been well enough rested. I hope the coaching staff talks to our defensemen and tells them to take the man and get into position-play physical-our "in close" d sucks but so does theirs-we need to stay on the doorstep because we can rebound pucks into the net all night long against this Fleury guy-I think that we can name a brand of swiss cheese after this guy-drive the net for 60 minutes and skate better and stay in position and things will get better.
Also-the power play sucks-move the puck-shoot the puck-get it on goal and then pound the pens d into the RBC ice-I am sick of this ticky tacky power play-PENETRATE-SHOOT-REPEAT PROCESS-KISS-KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID- c ya Saturday as I am going drinking with Hayden-Dawby and Luther-Peace out from the Old Scout-I can`t take no more !
domination
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 21:54 — panativencreswelcome to the evgeni malkin school of hockey. don't pi$$ him off, because when you do..he's money. he took over that game. for two periods the pens were sleep walking. fleury looked average. and then one of the hurricanes got in malkins face. dumb. the pens are too deep down the middle and it showed. the hurricanes can't keep up. one line after another. and they can all score and check. looking forward to saturday night.
Tee times at Hasentree and
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 21:48 — mercTee times at Hasentree and OC.. Call me I can play...
where's stall
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 21:46 — mercsuperstar? They show up in critical games? Where's Stall and where's Ward? 6 goals? No superstar golie ever gave up 6. What's that per $? I'm out. They're soft and it's embarassing to watch ! This was a pitiful effort.
It's been a great run, but the Canes are done.
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 21:44 — dan_canesThe Pens are just a better team. Canes have no answer for Crosby, no answer for Malkin. The one hope was Ward, and it turns out he's human after all. 6 goals later, Pens are in his head. In the last 5 games, he and the Canes have given up 20 goals. Canes are headed home in more ways than one.
well it seems
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 11:06 — esteban1949that some of the loosy goose play at the back of the canes goal, has caught up with them. and from the middle of period 2 and again the middle of the 3rd...the passing by the canes was poor, as was the fore checking and crashing the net as they did in the 1st period. the Pens out played the canes for the latter half of 2 and most of the 3rd...Not that they didn't try. But not enough of the back pressure that kept the Pens out of the Canes zone. So Much for trying to win in 5 games huh ? Giving up hope ?? No just disappointed, but then again there have been people who were disappointed in me at times too.
The Pens did a great job tonight and i have to admit that the officiating was pretty decent as well.
Go Canes !!! Please !!!
Game 2
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 21:31 — abramsdougGreat game by the Pens and the Hurricane defense couldn't keep up. Still, the question will be whether the Hurricanes can gather themselves at the RBC. Malkin is one of the truly great hockey players. It's a pleasure to watch him -- even if he is devastating the Hurricanes. Congratulations to the Pens for some excellent hockey over the past two games. I am hopeful the Hurricanes can keep their home ice advantage as well.
What's missing?
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 21:29 — procellaeClose game. Until the third period. What happened? Let me think of the things that are killing us:
Ward- I know he's up against Malkin and Crosby, but his play is really suffering right now. On Malkin's hat trick, he was too deep in his crease. He stayed in a split when Malkin was smacking away near the post. I'm not a goaltending expert, but if a player is doing that, shouldn't Ward try to straighten out a bit? I'm not sure, so correct me if I'm wrong. But that wasn't all his fault. See next point.
Defense- PLAY THE BODY. You're letting them skate around in circles around you. Malkin allowed to smash away at the post uncontested. Malkin allowed to skate up to the crease uncontested. Crosby allowed to get in front of the net and score uncontested. A breakaway. Kunitz allowed to walk right up to the net uncontested. See a pattern?
Staal- Do something.
Malkin- What do I have to say?
Powerplay- Do something.
The next two home games are must wins. The team can do it. Get Ruutu back. Work on somethings in practice (i.e. defense, the powerplay). Figure out how to stop Malkin. Pittsburgh is beatable. If it weren't for 7 defensive meltdowns in this game, we might have won. :D
I still have faith in this team. They have proved that they can rebound before. Let's cheer hard on Saturday!
GAME 2 : CANES 4 PENS 7
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 21:25 — mwenglert919TILT-GAME OVER !-SERIES ? We had better be a GOOBER COCK
ROACH on saturday night or else it`s-BROOM and DUST PAN TIME-
BURY THE GAME THEN BURY THE SHOVEL !-Coach Hayden Fox of the Minnesota State Screaming Eagles -oh my head !
Game 2 : CANES 4 PENS 6
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 21:03 — mwenglert919QUESTION: Dennis Seidenberg-where is your jock strap ?
ANSWER: In Malkin`s locker
Cam Ward
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 21:02 — mjt36Ward sucks, he is on his knees more than a porn star. If he would just stand on his feet he would have 5 more saves tonight. Yank him now!!!!
GAME 2 : CANES 4 PENS 5
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 20:58 — mwenglert919Earth to Eric Staal-Earth to Eric Staal-we need you in Pittsburgh NOW !!!!-The Old Scout
GAME 2 : CANES 3 PENS 3
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 19:56 — mwenglert919Exciting Hockey-but not good "close defense" by either team-in fact the Red Wings will eat either team alive-in close-perhaps this is a battle for The Stanley Cup Runner up ?-Let`s hope not-LET`S GO CANES !-The Old Scout
It won't be the Canes
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 21:27 — Pensin6Funny, we heard from the Flyers fans that we wouldn't beat the Caps....Caps fans said we wouldn't beat you....Now you raise the white flag and say "You thumped us...but won't beat Detroit...." Funny stuff.
It's complicated...
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 08:20 — whirligigMy guess is that we are the most inconsistent team in the NHL, it seems. And so some of us fans don't know which team is going to show up...which players are going to lead, and which are going to come out of the woodwork and win it for us. We get super amped up by great performances by our team only to be let down hard in certain situations where it would seem clear that we SHOULD win. Let's face it, this team has always been "Cardiac" this year. Who the heck thought we'd be here right now, looking back to the Winter of 08.
But this is a bit different, with the Pens. I think we played the last two games the best we possible could. Sure, we made some mental errors in game one, and some guys like Whitney and Staal look uninspired, but it IS what it IS, to use the cliche. Can't guys or teams simply be better? It's not always about failing or choking. MALKIN IS A BETTER OFFENSIVE PLAYER THAN STAAL. CROSBY IS A BETTER OFFENSIVE PLAYER THAN STAAL. Can't we just admit that?
Does that make me any less of a Canes fan to say that? I don't think so. It's great to watch these guys play, but there is only so much magic to the game. Some guys are BETTER, and even GREAT, and it shows when they play. Some guys like Staal and Whitney have moments of greatness. I do wish Whitney would show up to the 2009 playoffs before the darn thing is over.
But I do think, sometimes, that you can measure the consistency and potential of a team, for the most part, but what the guys with the C's and A's on their sweaters are doing for the scoresheet. I mean, "C" has got to stand for CHANCES, and "A" for ASSIST or we're leaving it up to the woodwork players (who HAVE in fact looked hungry, and impressive), or you're leaving it up to LaRose and Cullen, who I think are our two brightest stars, along with Ward, Gleason, Corvo, Ruutu. These guys are hungry and starting to break out. I hope we keep them around.
Anyway, maybe we can pull this one out. I hope so. I do think it's interesting that the Pens are like an amplified version of the Canes. When we're out-doing them, it's because we are more defensive minded and conscious than they are, and capitalizing on their mistakes. When they are out-doing us, it's when they are showing us what we were trying to do but couldn't (see Malkin, etc).