Character win for Canes
Feb 27, 2009
Tags: Hockey, Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes moved into a tie for the top 8 in the Eastern conference with a gritty 2-1 shootout win over the Buffalo Sabres. The Canes won a physical game that had a playoff feel to it and more important did it on home ice. So let’s get to the good the bad and the road ahead.
The Good: (there is a lot)
Cam Ward: 36 save performance, for the Ward doubters, that is the performance that shows why he is a number one goaltender in the league. He was tested early by Buffalo and had to deal with a lot of traffic in front. After being yanked in Ottawa, the net minder was as sharp as he has been all season and in the shootout he frustrated the Sabres by not biting on any move.
Matt Cullen/Ray Whitney/Chad LaRose: This line continues to sparkle. Matt Cullen’s play has been brilliant of late and the way this combination has clicked gives the Canes the offensive boost they have looked for from players outside Eric Staal.
Jussi Jokinen: acquired to be a shootout specialist and grab the extra point for the Canes and he did just that. A great move to be Patrick Lalime and scores the only goal in the skill competition.
Anton Babchuk: The defenseman has scored in two consecutive games and to this point scored the biggest goal of his NHL career.
The RBC Center: The building had a playoff feel and the players on both sides delivered a post season performance.
The Bad:
0-6 on the power play: Including 38 seconds of 5 on 3. The power play is still struggling at times. One note the Sabres are in the top ten in the league on the penalty kill. Still, six chances with the man advantage you have to capitalize.
Overtime: The win is great for Carolina, but Buffalo without their top scorer and number one goalie still came away with a point.
The Road ahead:
Carolina will spend Saturday night in Atlanta, the sixth and final meeting between the clubs and a chance to win the season series 4 games to 2.
