NHL: Why the Carolina Hurricanes Didn't Make the Playoffs

The 2006 season was a dream season for the Carolina Hurricanes, two years later they have yet to relive the hype of just making the play-offs.  The team seems to not know how to win in the clutch.

 The Carolina Hurricanes dominated the South Eastern conference for all but 16 days.  Before there loss to the Florida panthers the Carolina Hurricanes hadn't suffered 2nd place in the division for all but 15 games.

 Could it be the Canes needed their leader?  Or could it be Cam Ward didn't stand on his head when he needed to?  Could it be the collapse in defense against the Florida Panthers? 

All those could have been the reason and nobody will know.

What strikes to me is the Canes have the stretch leadership.  They have Bret Hedican, Eric Staal, all these players who have had experience down the stretch but when it counted nobody seemed to step up.

Now, Cam Ward wasn't stellar last night.  The Canes put there effort and if Cam Ward stopped just to shots which he could have made, Both the break aways, The Carolina Hurricanes would be in the Play-Offs.  His weaknesses were exploited to the maximum.  Breakaways, which lead to two goals, and all four goals were high-stick side.

The Canes also did not capitalize.  They had 44 shots on goal, two five on 3's, and only were able to tally 3 goals?  Where's Eric Staal, He did get a goal, one of the best game clinching goal scorers?  

The Canes also had 18 minutes in penalties and none on the penalty kill.  How do you only score two goals on the power play in 18 minutes?

The Canes had the effort it seemed but they just could not finish.

The Canes now have to go through a tough of-season where they have to resign players such as Sergei Samsonov, Ruutu, Ward, etc. Those are big name players for this Canes team.

It will be interesting to see how the off-season goes and what will happen next year.