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Got his bell rung against Washington. Collision with Tom Wilson. Anderson skated this morning, but he's not 100%.

Shots are 12-2 in the 1st 10 minutes.

Canes are starting on fire. Lot of time in the offensive zone while the Avs are dumping and chasing and can't retrieve.

There's not a lot of defense in the west and Colorado gives up half a goal per game more than Carolina. So, if the Canes decide to play D for 3 solid periods, not just the first and third, they can put up 3 and win this game. I'd feel a lot more comfortable with my statement if Tony D was in the lineup. But slow down Kadri and Mackinnon, it might be okay.

But it does beg the question, if Raanta gives up 4 to the Avs, is he then in the same level as Lyon with you? It's a rhetorical question and I'm not trying to argue, I'm just sayin'... I wasn't real enamored with Lyon, either, but taking everything into consideration, I don't think I expected anything more from him. I'll reserve judgment for the time being.

Raanta is starting in net tonight as Andersen is still not 100%. Lyon was an emergency call up this morning and either has to dress as the backup or be sent back to Chicago before the game if Andersen is the backup. I still contend he got beat up during the Washington game. Last Time Out: Martin Necas broke an 18-game goal drought in the third period on Sunday, striking for the game-winner in what would be a 3-2 victory over Seattle. The power play scored twice to get the game to it's 2-2 juncture and when all was said and done, Antti Raanta made 28 stops on 30 shots for his second win in three days. Saved The Best For Last: Entering tonight Colorado is the only team in the NHL that the Canes have not faced. It is the first of two meetings between the two sides this season, with the two getting together again in Denver on Saturday, April 16. Home Cooking: The Canes have points in 11 straight home games, dating back to their win over Vancouver on January 15. It is currently the third-longest streak in franchise history and should they earn a point tonight, they'll move into a tie for second at 12 games. In The Crease: Antti Raanta has started the team's two most recent games, with Frederik Andersen not being 100% and not dressing for Sunday's game. Alex Lyon was recalled under emergency conditions Saturday night, then reassigned Monday, but was then recalled under emergency conditions again Thursday morning. Captain's Getting Hot: After starting the year with just two goals and eight assists in the team's first 36 games of the season, Jordan Staal now has five goals in his last eight games. Since the All-Star break he has ten points in 13 games. Good As The Game Goes On: Martin Necas' third period game-winner on Sunday moved the team's goal differential to +29 in the final frame of regulation this year. With that being the best in the NHL, Carolina has outscored their opponents 68-39 in the last 20 minutes of games. Production From The Blue Line: Colorado's 180 points from their defense this year rank tops among all NHL clubs. The Canes rank fourth with their 141. A Look At The Other Side: Colorado will enter tonight wanting to get back on track after losing a three-goal lead Tuesday night in New Jersey. The Avs led 3-0 just 5:52 into the middle frame, but the Devils rattled off five in a row in response and eventually picked up the 5-3 victory.

Florida averages over 4 a game. We'll see what happens tonite against another division leader in a Colorado Avs team which averages 3.91 per game.

When the league goes out of its way to promote someone, I guess NFL fans have little choice but to "get over it." The league, television and fans alike got past Ray Lewis being involved in a murder....

This wasn't a contract price issue. This was the Colts blowing their playoff chances the last game of the season losing to Jacksonville and having it recorded for posterity on "Hard Knocks: In Season," and the GM and owner telling Frank Reich, "We gave you a chance with your guy, now it's our turn to get our guy."

Who does Baylor and Temple have in the draft?

I don't see much difference between Mitch and Carson, tbh.

Russell Wilson gets Seattle 2 first, 2 seconds, a fifth round and 3 players and he's on the down side of his career. Wentz gets Indy 2 thirds? Dunno who's providing the drugs, but no way Wilson is worth half of that and no way Wentz is 2 third rounders. Indy could have asked for a little more and would have gotten it. Maybe a couple seconds.

What I saw and heard last night: Anderson, was reported, isn't injured. He skated earlier in the day and let RBA know he couldn't go. He may be just a little sore after a couple pretty hard collisions in net against Pittsburgh. Stepan may be in RBA's doghouse over a penalty he took? Last time he played was Washington, I think, and his penalty didn't have any effect on the outcome of the game, so I'm not sure about this one. After all, the Canes took 6 penalties that night. Nino is playing with a real chip on his shoulder lately. During TV timeouts last night he was having discussions with the refs on the ice. I think he gets whacked quite a bit and doesn't seem to get any calls his way. Regardless, I think he's more dangerous when he plays pissed, just like Staal. The Kotkaniemi line took the opening face-offs last night for each period last night. That's about all we saw of that line as nothing much materialized. The "Breaking Ice" piece on Ethan Bear shown during the second intermission on the big screen was great. If you watch this and don't come away thinking this guy is one of your favorite Canes, you need counseling. Seriously, it was that good. Good enough I'm considering an Ethan Bear jersey. Watch here if you like:

On my way out the door to the game. Looks like the same lineup from Friday night with Raanta in net.

Okay, I watched the 3rd and OT. Had to take the 2nd off. The team I saw win that game is not the team that took the ice. Jordan Staal hitting and scoring?!?! Vinny not backing down. The team that won this game can beat anyone.

Looks like it. If they come back from this, I'll regret turning off the game. Might go to Sunday's game. See you guys, I'll post my thoughts after watching the low-lights.

Another weak one by Crosby. Think the absence of TDA is very obvious. Canes don't put 1 on the board before the end of the first, they'll drop their 3rd in a row.

Raanta gives up a weak one after a bad turnover by Necas.

Okay, I'll admit I watched but a little over 20 minutes of the game last night. After the 3rd or 4th penalty on the Canes while nothing was getting called on the Caps was too much to stomach. I don't know if RBA said anything in his post game presser or if any of the players did, but it was pretty lopsided. Anyway, let's say we get back on track tonight. The Canes are 3 points ahead of Pittsburgh (79-76) and only the Avs have more points. Raanta is in net tonight. Last Time Out: The Canes will look to quickly move past last night's 4-0 blanking by the Washington. Carolina gave the Capitals six chances on the power play and the home side was able to convert on two of them. Discipline Is Key: Following the contest in D.C. the Canes have now taken 205 minor penalties this season, second-most in the league. While they do have the NHL's best penalty kill (89.2%), Thursday was an example of how costly penalties can be sometimes. In Net: Frederik Andersen made 29 saves on 33 shots last night, suffering his first loss in five outings last night. The Canes have not played the same goaltender in both games of a back-to-back this season, so it may be another chance for Raanta against the Penguins tonight. The Finnish netminder had perhaps his best outing as a member of the team Tuesday night in Detroit, making 37 stops despite the overtime loss. Offense From Defense: A big part of Carolina's success has been their contributions from the blue line. The team's has defensemen have combined for the third-most points league-wide since the start of the season and also recorded 69 points in 24 games in 2022. 800 For Step?: If Derek Stepan is in the lineup tonight, it will be his 800th National Hockey League game. He played 515 with the New York Rangers, 224 with the Arizona Coyotes, 20 with the Ottawa Senators and thus far this season 40 with the Canes. The Second Half: Tonight is the ninth time this season the team will play two games in as many days. Through eight occurrences this season, the team is 4-3-1 in the second contest. A Look At The Other Side: Pittsburgh enters tonight 7-3 in their last 10 games, including a three-game win streak. They also have a league-high 19 wins away from home. Forwards: Svechnikov - Aho - Teravainen Kotkaniemi - Trocheck - Necas Niederreiter - Staal - Fast Lorentz - Stepan - Jarvis - Martinook Defensemen: Slavin - Bear Skjei - Pesce Cole - Chatfield Starting Goalie: Raanta Injuries: Tony DeAngelo Brendan Smith

Game over. If the Canes can't get a call when slashed and tackled in front of the net, there's no sense in watching. Clearly a 1-sided officiating game tonight.

Refs are all over the Canes tonight. 4 penalties in less than 20 minutes.

ESPN+ broadcast crew is all about Washington. Fug Tom WIlson (already a dirty hit goes uncalled) and Putin Ovechkin.

No Bally TV tonite as the Canes are on national TV (ESPN+ or HULU). Last Time Out: Despite a third period go-ahead goal by Jordan Staal with just 3:48 remaining, Dylan Larkin had a response for Detroit just 35 seconds later, forcing overtime. Although Lucas Raymond scored on the power play with just eight seconds to go in the extra frame, Antti Raanta was remarkable for Carolina all evening long. The Finnish netminder made 37 stops, his most in any outing since joining the team. Ten For Turbo: Teuvo Teravainen moved his current point streak to nine games in the contest against the Red Wings, now recording 12 points since February 10 in Boston. It is the longest point streak by any Hurricane this season. At Home On The Road: Carolina enters tonight's contest 18-7-3 on the road. The 18 wins away from home are tied with Pittsburgh for the most by any team in the NHL. Trouble In The Capital: Washington enters tonight having lost three in a row and six in a row at home. Columbus is now just eight points behind them for the fourth spot in the Metropolitan Division, and also has a game in hand. 100 For Quickie: Jesper Fast is set to play in his 100th game as a member of the organization tonight. Signed to a three-year contract in October of 2020, the right-handed winger also enters tonight with points in four of his last five games. Down The Middle: Sebastian Aho and Vincent Trocheck both enter this evening with more than a point-per-game in their careers against Washington. #20 has 18 points in 17 meetings and "Tro" enters with 17 points in 15 contests. Good On The Front Nine: The Canes begin a back-to-back tonight, with a matchup against the Penguins on Friday looming. Through eight sets of two games in two nights, Carolina is 6-1-1 thus far this season in the opening affair. ADDITIONAL NOTES: Milestone Watch: Derek Stepan is one point shy of 500 for his NHL career. No line-ups as I'm posting this. I'm on the road this afternoon and not sure if I'll be able to catch the game tonite.

Not too many times I can say a single player was instrumental in the loss, but Brady Skjei was horrendous. Whiffed on a clearing pass and gave up the tying goal and shortly after nearly gave up the winner in regulation. Pesce fell down 10' from the bench and caught the OT penalty for too many men. Not good hockey against a pretty poor team who just seems to match up well against the Canes.

Not a good loss. Not enough shots, too many turnovers and a late, dumb penalty. RBA will either rip them or not say a word.