It's hard to expect a team to play with a real playoff spirit in January or February. For the Hurricanes, however, the situation is urgent. The playoff race has most certainly begun. Locked in a battle for the lead in the Southeast Division, the 'Canes need to pick up points every time they take the ice as the season winds down. Coach Peter Laviolette said his team would need to win 20 of their last 30 games to feel comfortable about making the postseason. However, the importance of this game against the bottom-feeding Toronto Maple Leafs was not immediately evident from the outset of what is now becoming the trademark sluggish 1st period. The home team did not come out skating well and were far too passive with the puck early. It didn't take long for Toronto to punish them for their lack of execution. Mike Commodore made a lazy pinch on an island near the blue line, and the Maple Leafs' center Jiri Tlusty capitalized on a breakaway one-time slapshot from between the circles.
The Hurricanes responded though, with a hard-working 2nd period. Tim Gleason picked up a goal on a blast from the point late in the period, and got the primary assist on a Scott Walker deflection goal early in the 3rd to put the 'Canes up 2-1. With 12 seconds remaining in the game and an empty net on the other end, Darcy Tucker threw one innocently in front of the Hurricanes crease; it caromed off Mats Sundin's skate and past Cam Ward to give the Leafs the equalizer and send the game to overtime. In the extra frame, a questionable hooking penalty to Nik Antropov and a weak clear attempt from Hal Gill led to the Rod Brind'Amour game-winner on a tic-tac-toe play with just over a minute and a half left. As the crowd celebrated, Antropov emerged from the penalty box fuming and threw his equipment in the direction of referees Don Koharski and Mike Leggo, earning a double game misconduct and incurring the mandatory 3-game suspension for abusing an official.
For the Hurricanes, it was the effort of the defense stepping up and playing as a cohesive unit that made the difference. Commodore's early miscue hinted that it might be another defensive struggle at the blue line. As the game progressed, they began to move their feet and hunt the puck, keeping the Leafs' offense well-contained. Tim Gleason played his best game of the year, 2 nights after being ejected early in the Hurricanes 3-1 win over the Rangers on Tuesday. Gleason's stat sheet shows his offensive effort, but he played as well, probably better, in his defensive role. He logged almost 23 minutes of ice time and was a constant presence around the puck on both ends of the rink, racking up 4 hits and 4 blocked shots with 0 giveaways. Frantisek Kaberle also made some nice decisions in the defensive zone. In fact, he played so well, I only heard the "Let's Trade Ka-ber-le!" cheers twice during the game.
Toronto captain Mats Sundin was the man who set up the first goal for his team and scored one of his own late, earning his 1,300th NHL point. His market value continues to rise as one of the few consistent performers for the Leafs this season. In his 14th year with Toronto, it is hard to imagine him playing for another team, but if the Maple Leafs can't salvage something before the February 26th trade deadline, he will consider waiving his no-trade clause and heading south in search of a competitive environment. Despite being the franchise leader in goals and points, Sundin has never played in a Stanley Cup Final, and 17 years into his NHL career, he may be looking for one last run. With the captain's stock soaring, the Leafs would be in a position to receive some solid draft picks and young prospects from a team like Florida or the Rangers, who are looking to add that playmaker to bolster their roster for the stretch run to the playoffs.
The Hurricanes responded though, with a hard-working 2nd period. Tim Gleason picked up a goal on a blast from the point late in the period, and got the primary assist on a Scott Walker deflection goal early in the 3rd to put the 'Canes up 2-1. With 12 seconds remaining in the game and an empty net on the other end, Darcy Tucker threw one innocently in front of the Hurricanes crease; it caromed off Mats Sundin's skate and past Cam Ward to give the Leafs the equalizer and send the game to overtime. In the extra frame, a questionable hooking penalty to Nik Antropov and a weak clear attempt from Hal Gill led to the Rod Brind'Amour game-winner on a tic-tac-toe play with just over a minute and a half left. As the crowd celebrated, Antropov emerged from the penalty box fuming and threw his equipment in the direction of referees Don Koharski and Mike Leggo, earning a double game misconduct and incurring the mandatory 3-game suspension for abusing an official.
For the Hurricanes, it was the effort of the defense stepping up and playing as a cohesive unit that made the difference. Commodore's early miscue hinted that it might be another defensive struggle at the blue line. As the game progressed, they began to move their feet and hunt the puck, keeping the Leafs' offense well-contained. Tim Gleason played his best game of the year, 2 nights after being ejected early in the Hurricanes 3-1 win over the Rangers on Tuesday. Gleason's stat sheet shows his offensive effort, but he played as well, probably better, in his defensive role. He logged almost 23 minutes of ice time and was a constant presence around the puck on both ends of the rink, racking up 4 hits and 4 blocked shots with 0 giveaways. Frantisek Kaberle also made some nice decisions in the defensive zone. In fact, he played so well, I only heard the "Let's Trade Ka-ber-le!" cheers twice during the game.
Toronto captain Mats Sundin was the man who set up the first goal for his team and scored one of his own late, earning his 1,300th NHL point. His market value continues to rise as one of the few consistent performers for the Leafs this season. In his 14th year with Toronto, it is hard to imagine him playing for another team, but if the Maple Leafs can't salvage something before the February 26th trade deadline, he will consider waiving his no-trade clause and heading south in search of a competitive environment. Despite being the franchise leader in goals and points, Sundin has never played in a Stanley Cup Final, and 17 years into his NHL career, he may be looking for one last run. With the captain's stock soaring, the Leafs would be in a position to receive some solid draft picks and young prospects from a team like Florida or the Rangers, who are looking to add that playmaker to bolster their roster for the stretch run to the playoffs.
