Carolina Hurricanes Eric Staal(12), Scott Walker (24), and Rod Brind’Amour (17) trying to get the puck by Nashville Predators Goaltender Dan Ellis (39) at the RBC Center in Raleigh. (Photo from carolina hurricanes.com)

What do you say about this game? The Canes came out and played flat in the first period and were down 1-0 at the break. Then they came out and played flat in the second period and were down 4-0 at the next intermission. By time the third period started, Carolina was already out of it for the most part in a defensively grinding game. They came back and scored two goals before Nashville sealed the deal with a score at 12:42. The Hurricanes have played a lot better in the past few games, and for some reason, they just forgot to show up today.

The Predators came in on a two game losing streak after being outscored in those games by a margin of 8-2 so the Canes should have known they would be fighting for a win. Carolina played like they did when they were in their slump several weeks ago when they were slow, out of sync, and were totally outplayed at various points in the game. Of course, the Predators’ defense had a hand in that also. The Canes could have taken over the lead in the Southeast Division with a win in this game. Yet, like the last several seasons, they get right to the line and can never seem to get across. The fans are definitely frustrated as well as the players and coaching staff.

Carolina hit the ice and seemed to be out of sync from the beginning. In the first period, the Predators gave them five power play sequences including two five-on-three power plays. A lot of momentum, and probably the game, was lost early on in this one because of those failed power plays. Nashville’s Martin Erat was called for interference on Eric Staal at 5:58 in the first period. The Canes got one shot on goal when Tuomo Ruutu shot from the top of the right circle (43 ft. shot) before Dan Hamhuis was called for cross checking Ruutu at 6:44. During the five-on-three sequence, the Canes had no shots on goal. During the remainder of the Hamhuis penalty, the Hurricanes had one shot on goal when Joe Corvo had a 58 foot shot from the top of the right circle near the blue line. Carolina passed the puck around a lot during the power play and seemed unsure of what to do.

Wade Brookbank was called for interfence on Jordin Tootoo at 10:02 in the first. At 10:44, the Predators’ Shea Weber was called for cross checking Patrick Eaves, and then at 11:27 Jason Arnott was called for interference on Carolina’s Tim Gleason. During the next 77 seconds, the Canes got one shot off during that five-on-three power play when Ray Whitney had a 46 ft. shot from the top of the left circle. Nashville was able to get on the scoreboard at 13:59 when Nashville’s J.P Dumont got the puck in the neutral zone and got a two on one with Jason Arnott heading to the Canes’ net. Upon approaching the net, Dumont passed the puck to Jason Arnott who tipped it in from the right side of the net. Carolina goaltender Cam Ward was hung out to dry on that one. The Predators’ David Legwand was called for tripping Eric Staal in the middle of the ice at 15:49. During this power play, the Hurricanes had one shot on goal when Joni Pitkanen had a 60 foot shot from the top of the right circle near the blue line. That was a bad period even though the Canes outshot their opposition 8-5.

The second period picked up with the Canes still being flat and the Predators made them pay. At 2:45, Nashville’s Scot Nichol scored on a 34 ft. slapshot from the middle of the right circle. That was a bad goal to give up from that distance. Martin Erat was called for holding Tim Gleason at 3:00 putting Carolina back on the power play. This time they had zero shots on goal. At 5:56, Bandon Sutter was called for tripping Nashville’s Shea Weber. The Predators did not score during that sequence even though they did get four shots on goal. Joni Pitkanen was then called for cross checking Martin Erat at 8:28 and the Predators didn’t take long for Nashville to get their lone power play goal for tonight. Shea Weber scored on a 42 ft. slapshot from the top of the left circle at 8:42. Nashville’s Nick Tarnasky was called for delay of game when he shot the puck over the glass at 11:12. During the ensuing power play, the Canes got one shot on goal (by Tuomo Ruutu) and Matt Cullen had two missed shots. Jason Arnott scored again in front of the net at 14:12 to put the Predators up 4-0 when he recovered a rebound off of Cam Ward’s pad and put the puck into the goal. That was a bad goal to give up in the slot. The air had been pretty much been sucked out of the building for the Canes’ fans by this point. Both Scott Walker and J.P. Dumont were called for roughing after they sucker punched each other behind the Predator’s net during a play stoppage at 15:22. No one scored during the four-on-four sequence and the Predator’s finished the period up 4-0 on the scoreboard and outshot the Hurricanes 12-8. A bad period…

The Canes came out in the third period and seemed to have a little life left in them. Matt Cullen skated in on Nashville goaltender Dan Ellis and put the puck in the net on a 19 ft. wristshot at :32 seconds in the period. Of course, the Canes were right back on the penalty kill when Wade Brookbank was called for roughing Jason Arnott at 1:59. Carolina was able to kill that penalty off and Chad LaRose scored on an 11 ft. wristshot from the right side of the net at 6:26. The Canes seemed to have gained a little energy after that one. Jason Arnott was called for cross checking Eric Staal at 7:38. The Canes were actually able to get two shots on goal during that sequence. Nic Wallin was called for tripping J.P. Dumont at 10:41. Nashville was able to score one second after their power play expired when Jason Arnott shot the puck in the net behind Carolina goaltender Cam Ward from the point at the top of the slot. It was over after that point as the Hurricanes were only able to put two shots on goal in the final 7:18. The Canes were outshot 13-10 in the final period and they were outshot 30-26 for the game.

The bulk of the crowd was gone by time the final horn blew. This was one of those games that we talked about a few weeks ago that was just painful to watch. Tuomo Ruutu was the player that stuck in my mind as playing a good game. He had six shots on goal along with three hits. Matt Cullen and Chad LaRose both scored goals to get the Canes on the scoreboard. Cam Ward gave up several goals that I am sure he would like to have back. The Hurricanes’ defense got outplayed for a big part of the game like the rest of the team since it appeared Nashville wanted this game more. Scott Walker stated on carolinahurricanes.com, “It comes down to winning the battles and in the first period I don’t think we won a battle, they were first on every puck”. “Even when there was somewhat of a bouncing puck they were getting it because they were more willing to get it.” I think that says it all.

The Canes appeared to have lost several players to injury in this game. Patrick Eaves left in the second period after being hit by Nick Tarnasky at 2:39. It appeared to be a shoulder injury which could be serious since he has had shoulder problems in the past. Less than a minute later, Tim Gleason was helped from the ice after he went into the end boards. Gleason is a big part of the Canes’ defense so his absence could have a big negative impact on the team.

When you look at the numbers, a few things glare at you. Eric Staal and Rod Brind’Amour did not register a shot on goal in the entire game. That is a lot of firepower that was quelled. The Hurricanes have given up a power play goal in seven straight games. The Predators scored three goals in an 11:27 span in the second period which is not too good. The Hurricanes play tomorrow night in Florida against the Panthers, who currently have the fewest points (15) in the NHL in the standings. Come on Canes, you need this one.