On paper, the Carolina Hurricanes were the better team heading into Tuesday's matchup. And the Washington Capitals are mired in struggles, self-doubt and whatever else could ail a hockey team. So on paper, you would expect the Canes to put forward a solid effort and handily dispose of a weaker opponent. But how many times does that actually work in the NHL? Well tonight it did.

A few quick comments:

--The Riley Nash thing is really, really exciting. Per my recent blog, the Canes desperately need to fill a few forward spots from within the system with inexpensive young, but solid players. He continues to foot the bill. What impresses me most is that he just looks like the game is happening at the right speed for him. I just get no sense that he is trying to find his way, is battling hard to get his feet under him, just trying to fit in, or any of the adjustment kind of phrases. He just looks like he belongs out there. He is patient and calm with the puck. He continues to read situations well. And when he scores, he looks excited in the way where he fully expects this to happen regularly.

--Patrick Dwyer has quietly been playing his best hockey of the season the past week or so. Doesn't matter the line. He continues to use his wheels to make a lot of little plays and some big ones too.

--Good for Alex. Glad to see the Canes get a win in Washington! (I mean that part sincerely.) Now maybe Tripp can stop beating that horse on the telecast. Seemed way overdone tonight.

--Justin Peters. Good for him too. Over the course of the fall, he went from being the #3 goalie (meaning in AHL) to #2 (when Boucher got traded) back to battling for #2 (when Ellis arrived) to #3 (when Ellis got the nod in Raleigh in January) to either 1A or 1B. All the while he just kept working hard and playing good hockey waiting for his chance. He got it and is taking full advantage.

--Kill! Kill! Kill! Canes need to keep their foot on the pedal against the struggling Southeast Division foes. Another solid 10-12 days for the Canes coupled with more struggles for them could see Florida and Washington all but eliminated from the division chase and Tampa on life support. I don't see Winnipeg disappearing so quickly.

Next up is another bout with Washington. Keep the pedal down and don't provide any hope.

For a quick heads up when I post a Canes blog follow me on Twitter at CarolinaMatt63.

Go Canes!

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