AP photo
WASHINGTON (AP) — Carolina's Patrick Eaves scored twice, and the Hurricanes produced goals every which way — penalty shot, short-handed, power play, even strength — in a 5-2 victory over the Capitals on Tuesday night, Washington's second consecutive lopsided loss at home.
Eaves entered with three goals in 57 games this season, but he nearly doubled that output in a 10½-minute span of the second period against rookie goalie Michal Neuvirth, who started for Washington because Jose Theodore had the flu.
Eric Staal scored on a penalty shot, Eaves and Matt Cullen put in short-handed goals less than 4 minutes apart, Chad LaRose tallied during a 5-on-5, and Eaves' power-play goal made it 5-0 with about 2 minutes left in the second period.
That drew scattered boos, replaced by sarcastic hootin' and hollerin' when the announcement came over the PA system that there was only a minute left in the period.
"It was a big win. We need these points," said Cullen, who had two assists for a three-point night. "We had a tough loss in our last game and this was a big bounce-back win, a big road win.
"We knew it was going to be a battle and we were fortunate to get a couple of big goals in that second period. Obviously the penalty shot from (Staal) was really big to get off to an early lead. We just kept coming at 'em and never let up."
Alexander Semin's 100th career goal — scored off his knees on a power play — with 3 seconds left in the second period, and Sergei Fedorov's tally with less than 2 minutes remaining in the game were the only blemishes against Cam Ward. He finished with 39 saves.
The Southeast Division-leading Capitals own the Eastern Conference's best home record but now have lost four of their last six games in Washington, including a 6-2 defeat against Florida on Sunday. Now this.
"That was pretty embarrassing," Caps coach Bruce Boudreau said. "I'm sure if I was on the Carolina bench, I'd be going, 'Look at these idiots.'"
Against Florida, the Capitals allowed the Panthers to go 3-for-3 on first-period power plays, and Theodore was replaced by Neuvirth.
This time, Washington really had problems when it had a man-advantage. Carolina really took control after it already led 1-0 on Staal's 28th goal, which came when he was tripped from behind by defenseman Shaone Morrisonn with 34.6 seconds left in the first period.
With Carolina's Joni Pitkanen off for boarding, Cullen took a pass from Tim Gleason and made his way down the ice, splitting two defensemen before lifting a shot past Neuvirth at the 3:52 mark. At 7:42, it was Eaves' turn to score while a man down, taking a pass from Cullen.
LaRose scored at the 16:24 mark off an assist from Ray Whitney, who also set up Eaves' second goal at 18:05.
Ward and his teammates had no trouble making this lead stand up, a relief after what happened to them Saturday against Atlanta. Carolina led 3-1 in the third period before allowing four consecutive goals in what turned into a 5-3 loss for the Hurricanes — a team that needs every point it can get as it tries to earn a playoff berth.
The Hurricanes entered Tuesday tied for ninth in the Eastern Conference, one point behind Pittsburgh.
Comments
like a yoyo
Wed, 03/04/2009 - 13:16 — mdavidhallup and down, up and down...man it sure is a roller coaster ride with these guys.
I usually try to stay optimistic, but have to admit that after Saturday night's performance I was as low as I have ever been with this team. Then, they pull off a bounce-back game of epic proportions against the Caps.
Wish I could have seen it on TV (just could not afford the Center Ice package this year), but in listening to Chuck K it seemed like the team responded in the best way possible. Aggressive play and taking advantage of their opportunities - sure, we caught a back up goalie on what might have been an "off" night, but you still have to make the plays...and two shorthanded goals against any team, especially one the caliber of the Caps is impressive.
My hat is off to Matt Cullen. The guy has been my favorite Cane since we acquired him after the lockout, and over the last couple of months he has been, hands down, our best player.
And it's good to see Patrick Eaves effort rewarded on the score sheet. The guy has been playing his ass off for the last month, hustling, skating, playing defense and special teams, all the little things you want, without having much to show for it in the box score.
A big win for the Canes. But they are going to need a lot more of these in the weeks to come against a daunting schedule. We know what they "can" do, now we just have to sit back and see if they do it. Consistency of effort and results are what will make the difference. Despite all evidence to the contrary I find myself optimistic, if tentative. Hang on tight, one way or another, it should be a hell of a ride.
GO Canes!
-m
P.S. Don't look now but Washington and Boston have opened the door and the NJ Devils are charging towards the top of the Eastern Conference. IF we make the playoffs, the one team I would fear the most right now in the first round is the Devils. But wouldn't that be a fun series to watch...
Great game
Wed, 03/04/2009 - 11:06 — HockeydogI agree that maybe the Caps goalie wasn't as sharp as he could have been, but the Cullen goal and Eaves 2 goals were very good shots. Staal's penalty shot was pretty good too.
We can rant about how this team has multiple personalities, but last nights game was solid from top to bottom, so I say just enjoy a great Canes game when they play one. I'm sure there will be more opportunities to grumble soon enough!!
it this day
Wed, 03/04/2009 - 10:50 — esteban1949and age many many newspapers around the nation are and have been hurting for ages...this economic down turn for many was and is the final straw...and as consumers it seems that "college sports" does and is getting more coverage than pro sports. Can we the 'average " fan do anything about it ? Not really...but i have on and in many cases when i see or red stories about how some college's or regional sports associations are doing this or that, I remind others that colleges and univerisites were founded to be educational institutions..not fighting to be #1 in some sports rating poll.
Not against sports...but just how many hiesman winners went on with their college educations and became Nobel prize winners...? and you have to admit Our state,nation need more Nobel prize winners than sports super stars...Some would say that sports is the male version of the soap opera for the gals...that way we have an outlet for our fustrations and fears...but what would i know ??
I'm just one fan who likes and follows Hockey...
And in closing...if the Canes trade for anyone...we as fans won't like it...
Go Canes !
Eaves
Wed, 03/04/2009 - 09:31 — Canes73Glad to see Eaves get some more ice time (including on the PP). He has a great shot and we need to see what he can do. He scored 20 goals in his rookie year in just 58 games and is still only 24 years old. If he can get his scoring touch back, he will be a huge asset at only 1.4M & 1.7M for the next two years on his contract.
Players won't say it, but I will
Wed, 03/04/2009 - 09:22 — wxray1"We ran into a cold goalie."
OK, the Canes looked good. No doubt. But most goalies can stone Staal on breakaways. Cullen's shortie was soft. (Cullen deserved the star he got anyway, he still played great and clearly was under their skin on the PK.)
That is all. They deserved the win, they played to get it, but the goalie was cold. It needs to be said for balance. The score should have been 3-2, with maybe a 3-3 at end of regulation since Semin and company would have been more pumped in a closer game.
sad but true...
Wed, 03/04/2009 - 09:51 — jgrant641all the small markets have little to no road coverage. of course montreal and other major hockey markets send a swat team on the road, but us little guys just dont have the market for that. I am not really a college fan at all but that is what sells around here. I am not happy about it either, but it is buissness and a sign of the economic times.
Even after a game like that
Wed, 03/04/2009 - 09:44 — JRs_Faultsome here will find something to complain about. Cully's move around the D on the SHG was sweet, and Eaves two shots would have scored against most goalies in this league on most nights. Staal could have arguably been awarded the goal on the play (too close to call on the replay) rather than go to the PS.
The only really bad play that sticks in my mind was Semin missing a gaping net 1 minute into the game... if he buries that (like he should have)... it could have been a very different game. Semin WAS pumped all game, Ovie & Green were the relative no-shows.
Anybody catch Helminen taking the puck from Ovie and knocking him flat on his first shift?? Very nice.
Eaves
Wed, 03/04/2009 - 10:47 — wxray1I was happy with Eaves' goals. The pass from who, Whitney?, on the PP was sweet and he made the most of it. I count his two as the 3 we'd get with Theodore in there.
And, upon further review, I agree that Cullen's walk through the D was nice.
Look, I never said they should lose the game outright. I'm saying they ran into a cold goalie. They never want to mention this. Talk about complainers, the players are always so quick to complain about hot goalies.
But I'm giving credit to the team for taking advantage of the situation. They should have, and they did. We've seen a lot of other games where backups were in (maybe not last minute like this), and they were darn "hot" against this team. Kudos to the Canes for doing what they had to do.
Wed, 03/04/2009 - 09:52 — jgrant641Time to cancel the subscription
Wed, 03/04/2009 - 09:12 — xpukguyI have been a loyal N&O subscriber for many years. I have survived the evil takeover by the Charlotte Observer. But if my favorite team isn't good enough to have a beat reporter on the road and I have to rely on wire stories for coverage and hard news, then it's time to save my money and look for my news elsewhere. The Hurricanes aren't good enough to have a beat reporter travel to Washington against the top team in the division in a game that was bumped off the schedule by two ACC basketball games (Clemson-UVA? Give me a friggin' break). Am I the only Caniac this upset with the coverage, or lack thereof?
But, as the saying goes, this is our team and the lack of coverage is now our tradition.
Canes aren't alone
Wed, 03/04/2009 - 09:37 — JRs_FaultLA Times & Palm Beach Post have reduced their road coverage as well.
MPD
Wed, 03/04/2009 - 09:11 — NetMinderThe Canes have more personalities than freakin' Sybil. Who will it be next game? Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde? Last night, we got the Three Faces of Eaves. This team doesn't need a stay-at-home defenseman, more size down the middle or a new coach. It needs a shrink.
Amazing !
Tue, 03/03/2009 - 23:50 — ynotagainIf tonights Canes team was the team that showed up EVERY game, playoff tickets would cost me a bunch this year ! They scored, skated, hit, checked, played "D" and even with a 4 goal lead they still outshot the Caps in the 3rd ! AMAZING ! Hope to see this team play Friday at the RBC.
when the games matter
Tue, 03/03/2009 - 23:17 — tobacco_money_p...This is the next best thing to the playoffs; and the tickets are cheaper. Sports are no fun without the drama, so I guess we should be grateful.
"Tobacco Money Pays For My Hockey Tickets"