Being down 0-1 is nothing new to the Carolina Hurricanes

by Hooks Orpik on May 19, 2009 11:07 AM EDT in News

Will Game 1 losses finally catch up with the Canes?

Pittsburgh fans are excited about the big game one win, and for good reason. Marc-Andre Fleury was awesome in the net, Evgeni Malkin was galloping all over the ice with the puck and the 3rd line was spent more time on the cycle than a washing machine.

But being down in a 0-1 series hole is nothing new for Carolina. As a #6 seed, they've been on the road for three Game 1's. And now they're 0-3 in the opening game, even though they're obviously 2-0 in the series.

They beat legendary Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils in the opening round, battling back. The Canes will score with 0.2 seconds, they will win in over-time the game after you win in OT, they will shut you out the game after you shut them out. They scratch and claw and do what it takes to outlast their opponents. They did it again to the top seeded Boston Bruins, the popular selection to be a SC finalist, battling through respective Vezina and Norris candidates in Tim Thomas and Zdeno Chara, respectively. Even though Boston hammered Carolina in G1, the Hurricanes found a way to win.

And Game 2's have been a big reason why. It's been the bounce back game for Carolina. They're 2-0 in Game two's this season, defeating NJ 2-1 in over-time and shutting out Boston 3-0. As I always like to say, a team is in pretty good shape if they can take one of the first two road games and then hold serve on their own home ice. So even though Carolina has fallen into their fimiliar hole, by winning the second game they steal the momentum and take it back to Raleigh for the Caniacs to give them an advantage.

The point is, even though Carolina's down by no means are they out, nor should anyone expect them to panic. Pittsburgh is going to have to do what New Jersey and Boston couldn't, and that's put the Hurricanes in a 2-0 hole heading home, instead of having it tied 1-1.

(Later today: A look at the Matt Cooke kneeing incident)

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I believe the Pens won their first cup without winning a game one.

by PensFan024 on May 19, 2009 11:11 AM EDT reply actions

The only way the Pens win game 2 is not sleep walk there way through the second and third period like game 1.

by paps35 on May 19, 2009 11:40 AM EDT reply actions

they have a propensity to do that however. we will see if the killer instict rears its head this series.

" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run

by oldtimehockey09 on May 19, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I won't say one outplayed the other...

…but I will say that neither team seemed to be playing particularly well. Fleury and Ward were obvious exceptions. Malkin had that bounce he’s known for from time to time.

I mentioned it in the post-game thread, but I thought the worst performance was by the officials. I’m not going to allude to any specific instances or suggest that one team should have had advantages. Whether or not there were dirty plays is not the crux of my point. There was one(one?!) penalty called against either team from early in the first to midway through the third, and there is something wrong with that. The refs play a part in momentum shifts. When they are not calling penalties that obviously should be called, it’s denying both teams a chance to gain/maintain/lose momentum through special teams’ play. Because of the lack of special teams’ opportunities and a general malaise from both teams and the crowd, this game was boring. I sincerely hope the rest of the series has more to offer.

-David
sixminutecynic.blogspot.com
www.piratesmix.com.

by pascaldupweevil on May 19, 2009 12:39 PM EDT reply actions

as a ‘Canes fan, I agree. I didn’t see a clear advantage overall given to either team, I saw both teams at a loss as to how to play the next game based on the inconsistent officiating. I didn’t find the game boring however, I thought both teams did a great job overcoming the “off and on” officiating and playing good hockey nonetheless. Pittsburgh deserved the win, but with a couple more fortunate bounces my ‘Canes could’ve stolen a win. As the article states, we’re used to this Game 1 routine. My only fear is that we played better this game than the other two Game 1’s. If we’re going to lose game 1 I want us to lose it in REAL loser fashion like before. The competitive loss kinda scares me. . .

Nonetheless, ’Canes win game 2.

GO ’CANES!!!

by Cardiac 'Canes on May 19, 2009 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions

my concern is that the pens through out this playoff run have shown a tendancy to slack when they have a team against the rope. if the pens win next game, it will be intresting to see how they come out for game three

" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run

by oldtimehockey09 on May 19, 2009 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions