I didn't get a chance to blog about the dominating performance the Hurricanes had in Game 2 at home, which is a shame, but oh well.  Moving on to Game 3.

I wouldn't say that Carolina played poorly.  On the contrary, the defense played very well, and the goaltending was excellent, and the penalty kill was especially good.

Unfortunately, Edmonton got (most of) the breaks.  Their first goal - early in the first period - went in off a deflection.  You know when the puck changes direction on its way in, it's awfully hard to stop.  Edmonton's second goal - the game winner - was a fluke goal that probably could have just as easily been called goaltender interference (and personally, I think it SHOULD have, but i'll admit to some level of bias).

Most importantly, Carolina was 0 for 6 on the power play, and I think that's what really did them in.  They didn't seem to be hitting anyone real hard, and they didn't have a whole lot of sustained pressure in the offensive zone.

So Edmonton makes it a series!

Game 4 is tonight and I'm hoping to see our Canes return to form and put on another show of how hockey is supposed to be played.  I still maintain that the Canes are a much better team and if both teams played their best, the Canes would win.

But we'll see what happens!

GO CANES!  BEEP BEEP!