Canes get 100th point, secure playoff spot

With a very solid 60 minute performance, the Canes were able to defeat the visiting Bolts 2-1. In the process, they earned their 100th standings point, secured a playoff spot, and more importantly, reduced their "magic number" by four points. Carolina now needs only to win one game OR watch Tampa lose one game in regulation for the Southeast title to be theirs.

Unlike the games they've played of late, the Canes were hitting on all cylinders for the entire game. As I wrote earlier today, they had to rise to this occasion, and they surely did.

Eric Staal was held pointless again. In order to reach 100 points, he will need nine points over the remaining 11 games. Four of those games are against Washington.

Former Bolt Cory Stillman started the scoring with a bit of a good break at 4:52 of the first. He was in the right place at the right time to redirect a Matt Cullen attempt after the Bolts turned the puck over deep in their own zone. Stillman found himself on the back door and the puck on his stick. He backhanded it against his former teammate to get the Canes off and running.

While the Bolts were enjoying a questionable five-on-three, Martin St. Louis chipped one in from down close at 0:26 of the second. Cory Sarich and Brad Richards picked up assists. It was actually Sarich who was the reason that the Lightning were enjoying the two man advantage. With the Bolts already on a power play late in the first, well after an offside whistle, Sarich ripped a shot on net. Rod Brind'Amour immediately took offense to this got tangled with Sarich, giving him a face-wash and picking up a roughing call in the process. Of course he did commit the penalty, but in the context of what happened, it should have maybe been let go.

While Carolina was on a five-on-three of their own, the Recchin' Ball scored his first goal as a Hurricane at 8:50 of the second. Chad "Sharpie" LaRose, who turned 24 today (and who worked very hard on the play) got one assist and Tevvy got the other. This goal would hold up as the game winner.

The rest of the game was very tight, with neither team getting very many quality chances.

Until the end. In what has to be the play of the game, Martin Gerber made a point-blank save on Ruslan Fedotenko with less than five seconds to play and the Bolts on a six-on-four (empty net) power play. Fedotenko had a clear shot from a good angle, but Gerber exploded to the right post, making the glove save. It was kind of reminiscent of what Canes fans call "THE save", when Kevin Weekes made an eye-popping save on John Madden in game 5 of the first round playoffs in 2002.

Carolina will stay put at home for another visit from the Capitals. If the Canes come out ready to play on Wednesday night, they could be the first team to clinch their division.

No word on the returns of Ray Whitney, Bret Hedican or Doug Weight. Preliminary word is that Jo-Va will be ready to go on Friday. The Canes are still only dressing 17 skaters, so they sure do need the help.