Ben Case: Off to DC for Final Battle Against Caps The Canes face the Capitals for their fourth and final match-up this season. As a whole, the Canes have played the Caps tough and they are 1-1-1 on the year—they won in a blowout, lost in a blowout and lost in a shootout too. Just like the past three games, tonight is another “must-win” as the Canes are four points out of the final wildcard.

Hope the Caps are over-confident...
Actually, both teams are pretty much on their game!
S/be a good matchup.
I'd be more confident about the Canes chances of
making the p-offs if they had two GOALIES...!!
Wardo has over-achieved, but he is long overdo for a rest...
AND the schedule REALLY cries out for another GOOD KEEPER, and
we only have a questionable body/ fillin...yikes, help!???

Hope the Caps are over-confident...
Actually, both teams are pretty much on their game!
S/be a good matchup.
I'd be more confident about the Canes chances of
making the p-offs if they had two GOALIES...!!
Wardo has over-achieved, but he is long overdo for a rest...
AND the schedule REALLY cries out for another GOOD KEEPER, and
we only have a questionable body/ fillin...yikes, help!???
- randycane

Seriously, did you have a stroke or something?

Seriously, did you have a stroke or something?
- BINGO!

Overdosing on Cialis will do that to a guy.

Overdosing on Cialis will do that to a guy.
- Wildschwein

Impotent.

Unlike next year's lineup!!!

Jeff Skinner - Victor Rask - Elias Lindholm
Sebastian Aho - Teuvo Teravainen - T.J. Oshie
Brock McGinn - Jordan Staal - Julien Gauthier
Joakim Nordstrom - Nicolas Roy - Phil Di Giuseppe

Jaccob Slavin - Brett Pesce
Noah Hanifin - Justin Faulk
Haydn Fleury - ????

Impotent.

Unlike next year's lineup!!!

Jeff Skinner - Victor Rask - Elias Lindholm
Sebastian Aho - Teuvo Teravainen - T.J. Oshie
Brock McGinn - Jordan Staal - Julien Gauthier
Joakim Nordstrom - Nicolas Roy - Phil Di Giuseppe

Jaccob Slavin - Brett Pesce
Noah Hanifin - Justin Faulk
Haydn Fleury - ????
- BINGO!

He's mine mother(frank)er!

He's mine mother(frank)er!
- Wildschwein

nah.

Okay, Okay. We trade for Ondrej Palat instead.

nah.

Okay, Okay. We trade for Ondrej Palat instead.
- BINGO!

Excellent. We have a gentleman's agreement then, yes?

Hope the Caps are over-confident...
Actually, both teams are pretty much on their game!
S/be a good matchup.
I'd be more confident about the Canes chances of
making the p-offs if they had two GOALIES...!!
Wardo has over-achieved, but he is long overdo for a rest...
AND the schedule REALLY cries out for another GOOD KEEPER, and
we only have a questionable body/ fillin...yikes, help!???
- randycane

I wish they gave Ward the night off against say...the Aves in two games. It will be interesting to see what Lack looks like though-I would be fine if he pleasantly surprises everyone.

Impotent.

Unlike next year's lineup!!!

Jeff Skinner - Victor Rask - Elias Lindholm
Sebastian Aho - Teuvo Teravainen - T.J. Oshie
Brock McGinn - Jordan Staal - Julien Gauthier
Joakim Nordstrom - Nicolas Roy - Phil Di Giuseppe

Jaccob Slavin - Brett Pesce
Noah Hanifin - Justin Faulk
Haydn Fleury - ????
- BINGO!

I would love to see the Canes get Oshie in FA. He would be a great addition and could also help them with their "shootout woes."

As for Gauthier and Roy, I think the expectation of them in the line-up is a bit premature. While I would love to see them in the line-up, I do not think it should be an expectation yet. I am always concerned with guys who make transition from the Q and to the NHL because of how offensively minded that league tends to be and neglects D. Obviously size, strength, shooting and offensively it appears both guys should be able to transition well but I am concerned with their ability to play in the D zone at the NHL level.

The D aspect is a big concern pending the Canes don't upgrade their goaltending too. I would love to see them with the Canes but not if they are a liability for two-way hockey. They sure did look good at the WJC though and it will be great to see them on the roster soon.

The Canes desperately need a serviceable backup. Lack looked terrible on that first goal. The pipe has more saves than he does tonight.

The Canes desperately need a serviceable backup. Lack looked terrible on that first goal. The pipe has more saves than he does tonight.
- Barbecued Hockey

I was tweeting that the Post/Crossbar is giving Lack a run for his money for the backup spot since two rang off them when Lack had 2 saves and 2 goals allowed. I'll give him some slack since its his first start since early November and due to the fact that he did get a horrible first opponent. That being said, I do not think he has looked too confident/strong in net.

The decision to start him against Caps seems like waiving the white flag. If that's the case, then I think we know the Canes trade deadline strategy since they would see the Caps 1st round of playoffs.

I was tweeting that the Post/Crossbar is giving Lack a run for his money for the backup spot since two rang off them when Lack had 2 saves and 2 goals allowed. I'll give him some slack since its his first start since early November and due to the fact that he did get a horrible first opponent. That being said, I do not think he has looked too confident/strong in net.

The decision to start him against Caps seems like waiving the white flag. If that's the case, then I think we know the Canes trade deadline strategy since they would see the Caps 1st round of playoffs.
- BenCase

It is nice to see that Lack decided to show up for the 2nd period. If they can get some offense going they can make a game of it.

Anybody else turn the channel every time the Kinetico commercial comes on?

I would love to see the Canes get Oshie in FA. He would be a great addition and could also help them with their "shootout woes."

As for Gauthier and Roy, I think the expectation of them in the line-up is a bit premature. While I would love to see them in the line-up, I do not think it should be an expectation yet. I am always concerned with guys who make transition from the Q and to the NHL because of how offensively minded that league tends to be and neglects D. Obviously size, strength, shooting and offensively it appears both guys should be able to transition well but I am concerned with their ability to play in the D zone at the NHL level.

The D aspect is a big concern pending the Canes don't upgrade their goaltending too. I would love to see them with the Canes but not if they are a liability for two-way hockey. They sure did look good at the WJC though and it will be great to see them on the roster soon.
- BenCase

I mostly agree with... well.. everything you said.

Gauthier I think may need more seasoning, but Roy could probably play 4C right now.

I think the time has come for Francis to go shopping.

I mostly agree with... well.. everything you said.

Gauthier I think may need more seasoning, but Roy could probably play 4C right now.

I think the time has come for Francis to go shopping.
- BINGO!

You are trying hard to figure out a way to get McClement out of the lineup.

You are trying hard to figure out a way to get McClement out of the lineup.
- Barbecued Hockey

I'd rather have a dead pigeon on the ice at even strength than Jay McClement