Hurricane Erik Cole crashes into Tampa Bay goalie Mike Smith during the second period. Cole was called for goaltender interference on the play and the Lightning scored the go-ahead goal on the subsequent power play. CHRIS SEWARD - cseward@newsobserver.com
RALEIGH — The Tampa Bay Lightning handed the Carolina Hurricanes what may be a damaging loss Saturday, winning 4-2 at the RBC Center.
With the Buffalo Sabres beating the New Jersey Devils 2-0, the Canes fell five points behind the eighth-place Sabres in the NHL East. The Lightning, beaten 4-3 Friday by the Canes in Tampa, snapped a four-game losing streak behind goaltender Mike Smith.
"Now we're going to need help," Canes coach Paul Maurice said. "We're going to have to come pretty close to running the table here and we're going to have to get some help."
Dominic Moore's power-play goal late in the second period gave the Bolts a 3-2 lead. Moore knocked in the rebound of a Vincent Lecavalier shot. Simon Gagne's second goal of the game -- and fourth in two games -- was an empty netter in the final minute that sealed it and ended the Canes' three-game win streak.
The power play came after the Canes' Erik Cole was called for goaltender interference. Cole and the Canes disputed the penalty, saying Cole was grabbed by defenseman Pavel Kubina and then shoved into Smith by Victor Hedman.
"I didn't think it was a good call at all," Maurice said.
Neither did Cole.
"You've got one guy with his arm around you and the other guy comes and bumps you," Cole said. "I didn't have anywhere to go. I tried to slow down. It is what it is. It's the difference in the game."
Smith. who had 33 saves, was making just his third start since mid-December. Smith was out 15 games this season with a knee injury as Dwayne Roloson took over as the No. 1 netminder. Roloson was the starter Friday in the first of the home-and-home set.
The Bolts played with added urgency Saturday -- the kind they showed Friday only in the final minutes, after falling behind 4-1.
"We're fighting for our lives, too," Tampa Bay coach Guy Boucher said. "We haven't felt like that. We haven't felt like we were fighting for our lives and everybody else is, so it's about time we wake up. The reality is we didn't work (Friday) night. We decided today we were going to work."
Eric Staal and Cole scored for the Canes and it was 2-2 after the first period.
Cole's goal came with 50.1 seconds left to tie the score. Cole muscled inside Moore, took a pass from Cory Stillman and beat Smith for his third goal in two nights.
Stillman also had the primary assist on Staal's power-play goal in the first -- Staal's 31st goal of the season and second in two games against the Bolts.
Marty St. Louis and Gagne scored for the Lighting in the first. St. Louis beat Cam Ward on a two-on-one with Vinny Lecavalier after Lecavalier forced a turnover by Tim Gleason seconds after the Bolts killed off a penalty.
Gagne's third goal in two games came with 2:24 left in the period. Poking the puck away from Joe Corvo inside the Carolina blue line, Gagne skated in and beat Ward with a backhander.
The Canes, after scoring twice on the power play Friday, picked up another on their first power play tonight.
After Steve Downie was called for hooking Bryan Allen, the Canes moved the puck well. Cory Stillman, between the circle, passed to Staal in the right circle and Staal ripped a shot past Smith at 7:07 of the first.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at
Comments
It's amazing how you get
Mon, 03/28/2011 - 11:19 — mokimanoIt's amazing how you get some in here defending Maurice to a fault and criticizing the MO bashing, but then out of the same mouth they pound on Rutherford for not bringing in enough talent...then you get other so called "hockey experts" like Sittler in here pounding on the MO bashers but he fingers certain players for failing to execute time and again. So it's not MO's fault...but it's Rutherford's fault...and it's not MO's fault...it's Gleasons...and so on and so on. What a bunch of hypocrites bashing on the MO basher's but then going on to blame the losing on everyone but MO...what a friggin joke.
MO 1.0 was fine, MO 2.0 was a mistake, so let's all at least agree that at some point this org needs to get on the same page with everything...the coach, the GM, the player's that are here all have to be on the same page...at this point there is a huge disconnect between the system, the player's that are in this org and the GM and the style of team and game he wants to play...youth movement says the GM...yet the coach gives the youth 4 minutes of icetime a night...keep Joni he is a GOD say some, yet he has been awful all season long...fix it, it's broken!
It's easy...
Mon, 03/28/2011 - 16:04 — CanarseWhat we are saying is you are wrong. In addition we are pointing out the faults of the team that are not Maurice's doing. Sorry that's so hard to understand.
Taking blame...
Sun, 03/27/2011 - 15:44 — ocolumnAs much as I love this discussion, and most of those in which you really insightful hockey fans contribute on this site, I have to say that all of you are entirely missing the real person to blame -- one individual -- for our failure to make the playoffs this year. It's me.
Years ago, I noticed a trend. When I wore my white Canes sweater -- the one I bought at the Eye Store the day we first played at the RBC Center -- we would lose. (In fact, we lost that night.) When I wear other red clothes, we have a much better record.
But, let's not be ridiculous or superstitious, I said to myself about a month ago. Wear that sweater, show your team gear and root hard. Subsequently, I saw us lose to the Rangers, to the Devils, to the Blue Jackets, to the Maple Leafs and, last night, the Lightning -- every time wearing that sweater.
It's not superstition. It's fact. That sweater, not Gleason, Maurice, Cole or the refs, is responsible for the losses.
I plan to wear the sweater to my remaining games this year. We need a better draft pick.
some musings on last night
Sun, 03/27/2011 - 11:40 — louis12580Tough one to swallow on many fronts. Missed opportunities galore. Bad bounces, whiffs. Costly turnover. Cam left alone on two of the three goals (empty netter not included). Worst of all, yes I will go there, WHY is O'Halloran still a referee in the NHL? I seldom criticize the officials, but he has had something against us for a long time. It's the calls he makes and the calls he doesn't make. Don't know if he made the call against Cole, but it was a poor call. Cole was held on his way in, then shoved and had nowhere to go and bumped into Smith (nice embellishment on his part by the way). Call on the interference, no call on the hold. Third period, Stamkos plows into Cam, no call. Both teams got some breaks, Tampa got the critical ones. It's games like this from the officials that cost teams valuable points. The other night in the Buffalo game, there was a classic goaltender interference call that went Buffalo's way. Yes the player was pushed into the goalie, but as I've heard it explained time and time again by the referee's, the player has to be accountable. It's the old alligator pit explanation of you can be one the edge, but don't fall in. This has happened to us and the goal has been waved off for incidental contact. I heard John championing the coaches challenge suggestion. If allowed, then that call would have been overturned and the outcome might have been altered.
Nuts
Sun, 03/27/2011 - 08:21 — CanarseLots of nuts around here. When things go bad it's the same refrain, "Fire Mo" or "Get rid of Staal." Neither are the problem. This team is significantly short on talent. How does Maurice cause Ruutu to fan on shots? How does Maurice cause defenders to stand in front of the net watching the play while a forward slips behind them? How does Maurice cause so many of the Canes point shots to be blocked? He doesn't. I don't mean to pick on Ruutu, but I do mean to pick on the D. They are seriously substandard. The fact that Gleason is playing on the PP tells you how bad it is. Why do you think the Canes got Corvo late for $2M? No one else wanted him.
As much as I love Skinner he was a bad pick. The Canes desparately need a player like Cam Fowler and they passed.
Yours are Good Thoughts
Sun, 03/27/2011 - 10:40 — SkylinerYour very thoughtful and incisive assessment is a welcome transition from the mindless drumbeat from those (particularly one) who champions the "fire Mo" chant. You are one of the few who has pointed to the inadequacies of players like Mr.Gleason, who as I see it, might have been responsible for perhaps as many as 11 goals against this team recently....my opinion, look at replays of the last 20 or so games and you judge.
And the fourth horseman rode again last night...
No one can blame lackluster play on any coach. Any employee in any job paid like hockey players should not require motivation. You mean I pay an employee 3/4 million and have to hold his hand? Please! These are men. No weenies in the NHL. Coaching is not the issue, even if one hates Mr. Maurice who better behind the bench than Mr. Francis,Mr. Barasso, etc? The Hurricanes obviously need some muscle up front and at least two more shut down defensemen.
Pay for defensemen such as a Green from Washington, a Tyler Meyers from Buffalo or a Shea Webber from the Preditors and see how much of a better coach Mr. Maurice becomes.
Isn't it interesting how Mr. Laviolette, fired in Raleigh for not producing, now coaches a top team. Gee whiz...just when did he acquire all this new coaching skill? When did he become a good coach? Oh yes, when he got a team where ownership wants a winner, spends to the cap for top players and does not tolerate lackluster playing.
So when Coach Maurice is gone, this same old crowd will be calling for the head of the new coach.... It gives them something to do.... they seem to need a dog to kick!
Just one comment on the cap
Sun, 03/27/2011 - 12:00 — robotron2084When the Canes are able to charge the ticket prices of a team like the Flyers and still draw the crowds they do, I'm sure the ownership will be more than happy to spend whatever is necessary. Until then, he has to run a business and he shouldn't have to be the only one that should put his money where his mouth is.
To be clear, that statement is not necessarily directed at you specifically (for all I know, you've been a season ticket holder since Greensboro), but the community in general. But I understand it's a bit of a chicken and egg problem. Still, this team has been to the conference finals 3 times and won the ultimate prize once. I'm very tired of hearing that the Canes have to reach the playoffs every single year or it's a fanbase disaster. We've been past that for at least 5 years now.
The draft was a dilemna for
Sun, 03/27/2011 - 09:54 — sittler27The draft choice was difficult for the Canes because they had so many needs. I agree that we need to significantly upgrade the D. I'm not at all liking how it is shaping up for next year. But Skinner may prove to be one of those once in a decade players for the team that will fill the nets and entertain us all in how he does it while at the same being a major character guy.
Going into this year we need that exceptional D. But we also need that top 6 power forward. A mistake we may have made over the past 5 years is drafting too many talented but small finesse forwards. They have tried to correct that somewhat over the past couple and Faulk and Doumilin are examples but it will take time for them to be ready.
I'm still of the opinion we draft for that elite power forward since they are almost impossible to get through free agency ( too pricey) or trade. And we try to re-shape the D through free agency and trades this summer.
(btw.... we saw the difference over the 3 games going into last night that a mobile puck moving D with creativity can make WHEN he is on his game..... his name is Pitkanen)
Pitkanen, Best Player Available Drafting, Power Forwards
Sun, 03/27/2011 - 09:59 — abramsdougI totally, completely, 100% agree with your assessment. Pitkanen really has to be re-signed, even at a king's ransom. The Hurricanes are an entirely different, and worse, team without Pitkanen. Pitkanen has many excellent skills and some short-comings; but without him, the Hurricanes are unlikely to make the playoffs.
Similarly, the flaw with picking the best player available, rather than the best player who fills specific needs, is that the Hurricanes wind up with enough skilled, scoring power forwards. I am fine with drafting a ton of power forwards this year and working on their development. Armia, Saad, Biggs should be available when the Hurricanes pick. Ambroz and possibly (but unlikely) Biggs might be available in the second round. Trade for Austin Watson or Zach Budish; but get some big-bodied, fast, hard-nosed forwards in the top nine.
Funny....
Sat, 03/26/2011 - 22:46 — louis12580how some seem to post only after a loss. Never have anything to say after a win. One horrible call/non-call ended up being the difference. The 'Canes had plenty of chances and just couldn't cash in on them. Most glaring were the Ruutu one in the 2nd. period when he was set up in the slot and partially fanned and then in the 3rd. when the puck slid off Coles' blade. I've asked the question before and I'll ask again, just who do YOU want to replace Mo? Please, educate the rest of us ignorant people. All you do is spit out the same old tired, worn out, drivel. NEVER offer any solutions. Yes, I am biting on the sour apple that you dangle. It gets tiring, it gets old, and until you decide to offer a solution/suggestion do us all a favor and stop your incessant babbling.
Sure. I will answer that
Sat, 03/26/2011 - 22:58 — WAStoutSure. I will answer that question: bring up Daniels.
Mo system does not work in today's NHL. Sorry. He has had two full seasons of his system. One with a more veteren-laden team and one that was younger. He has fallen short each time. If he would simply learn the lesson of letting his team play OFFENSE too...he probably would be more successful. e.g. when he first took over (no high forward crap, fore-checking, etc.).
But I know....I'm the bad guy here for wanting more consistent effort out of this organization. We are not going to get it with Mo.
Frustration
Sun, 03/27/2011 - 00:27 — sittler27I get the frustration with the team losing. Mine goes more towards watching dumb plays by an alternate captain when we had all the momentum and he fires the puck right into a charging Lecavilier for a 2 on 1. You are taught not to do that when you are playing youth travel hockey. Timmy gets a pass but the coaches do not.
But I don't get rediculous comments like "Mo's system does not work on today's NHL". You lose credibility with anyone who follows and understands hockey Xs and Os when you make an uninformed comment like that. At least 2/3rds of all NHL teams, and most that are currently in a playoff position, use the same or a variation on the tactics the Canes are using in all zones of the ice. The issue is not the "system", it is execution.
And btw.... JD is a proponent of the same tactics in all zones of the ice.
Not sure why I bother responding to your comments. Wish that you would take the time to go to a game and sit with someone who understands the various schemes the teams are using and can explain them to you in detail in real time. For now you are in a state where you don't know what you don't know.
Gleason's Mind Freeze
Sun, 03/27/2011 - 09:12 — abramsdougGleason's miscue was very costly. It was also inexplicable because if there is one thing a defenseman doesn't want to do in that situation it is to create a 2 on 1 situation by misplaying the puck into the forward charging the other direction. Corvo's miscue is more understandable. Gagne made a great play and stole the puck - unfortunate but it happens. I can understand Gleason is hurt; but I don't understand why being hurt had led to some of the mind freezes he's had this season as well. Maybe he is just pressing. It was very unfortunate.
True. But Friday night the
Sun, 03/27/2011 - 09:27 — ctillTrue. Friday night the Canes won because, in part, Cole stole the puck from a Tampa D and put it in the net. These things happen.
Exactly, Tampa plays
Sun, 03/27/2011 - 07:20 — ctillExactly, Tampa plays basically the same system that the Canes do.
Another point. Many people on this forum complained over the last several seasons that the Canes were too small on D. They got their wish. The Canes aren't as small as they used to be... and now the Canes get outskated by faster teams. Only two Canes D's (Pitkanen and McBain) are fast enough to keep up with forward lines like the Islanders and the Bolts have.
Fair enough
Sat, 03/26/2011 - 23:37 — louis12580fair enough on your part. I think that Daniels will be coaching here, probably in a year. I think that he needs a bit more seasoning as a head coach before coaching at this level. That's what Pittsburgh did with Bylsma and Washington with Boudreau. They cut their teeth in the A, and many of the players they now coach in the NHL were with them in the A. I feel that the players here get caught in two minds when playing. They want to be aggressive offensively, but sometimes aren't aggressive defensively. This system calls for being responsible in all three zones. That's what the coaches here now preach and I think that's also what Daniels and Kinnear preach in Charlotte. I get frustrated at times with the play. Every fan does. That this team has competed for a spot in the playoffs is a minor miracle. I feel that one more year at the A level for some of the players will do everyone concerned a lot of good. yes we all see how successful the Caps and Penguins are now, but just a few years ago they were cellar dwellers. It helps to draft the 1st or 2nd overall pick for several years running. Some of that was pure luck, some was trading players for those extra 1st or 2nd round picks. By next season, there'll be some new faces here to go with some of the core talent. Let's see what happens then.
2 points and a +2 for Martin
Sat, 03/26/2011 - 22:25 — ctill2 points and a +2 for Martin St Louis tonight. He seems to save his best for Carolina.
Send Checkers Back NOW
Sat, 03/26/2011 - 21:57 — WAStoutLet them get integrated back with the team NOW so they can be in playoff hockey in Charlotte.
No point in wasting their time here any more. Plus save some money...since that's all PK/JR cares about.
Thanks for the Memories
Sat, 03/26/2011 - 21:50 — WAStoutGood to see Skinner this season but it's over. It was actually over after the All Star Break but I'll give them a break.
Yet another season under Mo and another season with no playoffs. Thanks!
But I know JR....it's not his fault, right?