Boston may have scored first, but Carolina outplayed them for 60 minutes plus last night en-route to their 3-2 overtime win.  Shots on goal were 41-23 - including a 2-1 advantage in regulation (38-19).

And once again, Jussi Jokinen puts the finishing touch on a game-winner.  Samsonov did most of the work for that goal, but thank goodness the NHL values assists nearly as much as goals.  That line did a fine job last night!

We've got a 2-1 series advantage now, and Friday's game is huge!  I hope to see you there!

Check out the highlights...

I don't know about you, but I'm glad John Forslund has enough respect that he's able to do the national play-by-play on Versus for his own team.  I think he's a fine objective broadcaster, and maybe it was just last night because the Cam Ward really was standing on his head, but he sounded just a tiny bit more excited about the saves that Cam was making

The canes looked good, getting the opening goal from Joe Corvo (SCORVO!) with assists from Eric Staal and Erik Cole (Cole's first point of the playoffs)... then a shorty by Matt Cullen, beautifully set up by Chad LaRose, who has probably been one of Carolina's best players in the playoffs so far.  LaRose is definately earning his next contract.  And then the empty-netter by Eric Staal to seal the deal.

CamWard made some great great saves - especially in the third period.  Watch these highlights, and I'll see you at the game on Wednesday!

Box Score

No losing streaks for the Canes!  After dropping Friday night's contest in New Jersey, the Canes rebounded on Superbowl Sunday in a come-from-behind effort that ended in an overtime shootout.  Even the shootout went to overtime!

Once again, I couldn't watch this game, but I did listen to a lot of it.  The overtime period was incredible, with the Canes getting non-stop pressure and all 7 shots in the overtime.  I think Chuck K was about to go into cardiac arrest!

Carolina because the first team to hit 80 points, and remains atop the league.  They now get 3 days rest before playing their final game of this 4 game road trip on Thursday.

GO CANES!

Box Score

I just finished writing several paragraphs complaining about tonight's game not being on TV, but then I decided that's not what I want to write about, so this sentence will be the end of my complaining.

Eric Staal (2 assists) and Matt Cullen (2 goals) were big players in tonight's come-from-behind victory, and since I couldn't be at the game, I had the pleasure of listening to our hall of fame broadcaster Chuck Kaiton.  His broadcasts really are a joy to listen to.  As the pace of the game goes, so does the pitch of his voice.

These Hurricanes are proving to be a resilient bunch, wiping out a 3-1 deficit to take the game to overtime where the won it "in regulation".   That makes me happy, I'm glad the shootout exists, but I'll take a regular "legitimate" overtime win over a shootout win any day.  That's good fodder for an entry about shootout options at some point in the future.  Someone I know suggested that it would be at least as relevant to the game of hockey for the players to settle the game with a hand of Bridge.

Be that as it may, the crowd sounded good tonight.  The box scores don't list attendance yet.  I expect with the number of Bostonians we have around here, there were probably a fair number of "enemy" fans at the game.

The Canes re-take first place in the Southeast Division, and improve to 4-0 at home, 6-2-1 overall.

Next up, the Philadelphia Flyers come to the RBC Center on Friday at 7pm.  IT's magnetic schedule giveaway night!  If great hockey wasn't enough incentive, that should help make your decision.  Friday night is hockey night!  Philly is 4-2-1 and will be playing Florida tomorrow night while the Canes get a night off.

I'll be there, and I hope you will too!

GO CANES!