Canes lose on Saturday, take a break

Because of a very hectic schedule at work, I haven't had time to update.

The Canes lost to the Bruins in their Saturday lunch date. I didn't see the game, and I messed up the recording of it, so all I have to go by is the highlights and the game summaries.

The story of the game was B's rookie center Brad Boyes, who netted his first career hat trick. He has completely feasted on the Hurricanes this season, scoring a total of five goals and three assists in four matchups. All of this is, of course, much to the delight of Heather over at [so.very.obsessed].

Actually, if not for a guy named Sid and a guy named "8 Train" (or "Alexander the Eight" or whatever you want to call him), Boyes might be getting a lot more attention. His 54 points (21/33) are well ahead of the 43 points (23/20) by the Sabres' Thomas Vanek. Before the season started, I predicted that Vanek would have a Calder-type season while Crosby and Ovechkin were good for only a half season each. I guess I was a little off the mark there.

There was at least one bright spot for the Canes. Eric Staal scored a really pretty goal on a breakaway. Before sliding the puck into a mostly empty net, he made several juke moves, ultimately making Tim Taylor fall down. The goal was Staal's 41st of the season, and his 89th point. Refer to the monitor on your right to track Staalsy's progress as he inches towards 100 points.

The Canes were off Sunday and will be off again Monday night. They'll play again on Tuesday night in Toronto and then Wednesday at Buffalo.

Presently, the Canes trail Ottawa by two in the East, but have a game in hand. If my math is correct, the Sens could be the first team to clinch a playoff berth if Atlanta loses to Buffalo tonight. Obviously, they're assured of a spot, but they can be the first team to make it mathematically guaranteed.

If Buffalo wins tonight, Carolina could also mathematically clench their spot with a win at Toronto. It would also inch them that much closer to clenching the Southeast Division title. Tampa is 20 points back with 14 games to play.

After the two games on Lake Ontario, the Canes return home for four divisional games. Saturday against the Caps, next Monday against the Lightning, Wednesday against the Caps (again) and next Friday against the Panthers. By then, the playoff picture should be a bit more clear.