Canes fall to Sens in first half of home-and-home

On Tuesday night, the Canes again hurt their playoff chances by losing a home game to the Ottawa Senators 4-2. They led the game 2-1 after 40 minutes, but blew the lead and lost the game. This is the second time in the last three home games that Carolina has done this and the third home game in a row that they lost a third period lead. Considering that they didn't blow any third period leads last season, nor in the mediocre 03-04 season, this speaks volumes about this team.

The game wasn't on Canes TV, and I was "sort of" listening to the web radio while I tidied up my pig sty of an apartment. I don't have much to say about the game that can't be found here.

I will say that Josef Vasicek got his first goal since re-joining the Hurricanes. It was the classic Jo-Va type of goal -- a backhand stuff in of a rebound from the top of the goal crease.

The game was part of a back-to-back home-and-home series with the Senators. The Sens are playing in their second consecutive home-and-home. Fortunately this one doesn't have the fireworks that the one with Buffalo did. I might look, though, for someone to "say hello" to Jason Spezza. He put quite a bit of mustard on his empty net goal from 9 feet out last night. It looked like he was in the "hardest shot" competition. It seemed a touch showboat-like. If there's any opportunity to "give him the business" tonight, I think that opportunity will be taken.

Tonight, the teams will reset and run it back in the Scotiabanc Palace. Puck drop is 7:30. I expect Cam Ward, who has sat the last three consecutive games, to get the nod between the pipes.