Hurricanes 4, Sharks 3 (SO)

it seems like when ever there is a couple of the rats playing in the line up , this is a different team,evan though i love the old guys, you dont see them playing with heart,alah chad la rose. this guy is playing like a maniac.take away roddys -30 and there is probably 5 to 10 wins in there somewhere.cullen is looking like the culle of 06. i think they need to break up the first line and give it a different look.most other coaches seem to shake things up a bit to start a fire.,especially on the power play because they suck. great win, every game is a playoff game now boys , keep it up!!!!!

If we can win without our captain, without Staal, without our inspiring tough guy Walker, without Wallin cleaining house and with Leighton in net against the Sharks, in San Jose, then we should have no excuses going down the stretch. Cullen is looking his best all year, practically unstopable. Go Canes, keep it up!

Last season the influx of energy and hitting from the Rats inspired the Hurricanes and its fans. To paraphrase Yogi Berra, for Carolina Hurricanes fans it's deja vu all over again. For whatever reason, the team over the past two seasons simply plays more inspired hockey when it has some young bloods from Albany in the lineup. I hope the coaches this year will not repeat the mistake from last season and return injured veterans to the lineup before they are ready to play. In particular, it is critical that Brind'Amour's desire to play not be allowed to overcome the good of the team. Brind'Amour playing well is a huge asset to the team; and Brind'Amour playing -30 hockey is a tremendous detriment to the team. The lesson from last year is that when a team is on the roll, keep the hot players on the ice. One game isn't a roll; but beating the Sharks at home after a hugely disappointing loss could be this season's turning point. As far as I am concerned, I'd much rather watch the Hurricanes playing with fire from the younger players, even if it means occasionally their inexperience results in mistakes, than watch some veterans dodge contact and skip shifts on the ice.

I can't BELIEVE I gave up on this late-night game when it went 2-0 Sharks and went to bed. I didn't give up on the Canes so much, but it was on the road, against the team with the best current record, with our back-up in net, without Brindy, and the early game I did watch did not look promising. Now, this morning I check the score and I could kick myself. In fact, I did. I just kicked myself. Right in the head where, luckily, I apparently have no vital organs, so no harm done. WTG CANES!

I was sure we would lose last night with Leighton in goal after such a long layoff. I could not be happier to be wrong. If the team can muster this kind of effort on an ongoing basis, we just might see the post season after all!

Nice win and worth going to bed at 1:45am. Cullen, Samsonov, & Ruutu continue to carry this group. The Vancouver loss stunk and seemed to be an all time low this season. To come back with this win is very encouraging. I am excited about the fresh young legs like Petruzalek and the other Defenseman from Albany (can't remember his name). I love Brind'Amour, BUT, nothing like quick legs from the young guns to convert a turnover or get to the net quickly for a shot off of a deflection. The Canes aren't as physically talented as some of the other top teams so grit and determination will be the key to wins and a playoff push. GO CANES

GO CANES

Since a couple of games before the All-Star break, the Canes have played consistently good hockey. Last night, however, they took it to another level against one of the best of the best. In fact, once they survived the first period — thanks to Leighton — they out-skated and out-played the Sharks. It also seemed like they were quicker to the puck and played a slightly "looser" style, especially during the final two periods and OT, i.e., they played with a lot of confidence and poise — didn't appear to be overly conservative or grinding it out — took it to the Sharks. Very impressive. Bottle this one.

A great win tonight for the Hurricanes.  All around team effort.  The defense played great with Babchuk, Pitkanen, Corvo and Gleason getting a ton of ice  time and coming up huge.

Cullen continued his stellar play of late and all 4 lines played with jump and passion. Missed Brind A'Mour in the face off circle but over all I think we are better off without him at this point and I hope the time off is what he needs to get his game back on track.

I was really surprised that Leighton got the start in this one - I was talking witih a friend earlier today and we both thought he might get a look at Phoenix on Saturday - but he came up with a solid effort.  

Let's hope Staal's injury is as minor as it sounds.  Cannot afford to have him out of the lineup at this point. 

Congrats to Petruzlek on his first NHL point.  I thought he played with jump and grit all night.  It was confusing having him and LaRose wearing numbers so close together (56 and 59), as they almost look like the same player on the ice.

Big win after the disappointing loss on Tuesday.  Huge two points against one of the NHL's elite teams.  Let's hope we can take this momentum into Phoenix and bring it back home to Carolina next week.

 Go Canes!

 -m