Carolina 3, Washington 2 (SO): Full Team Effort Leads To Crucial Victory

Photo credit: Scott Pilling/Getty Images

With the Carolina Hurricanes entering the third round of the shootout, Ray Whitney knew he had a lot to do if he wanted to single-handedly keep the 'Canes alive and still fighting for the extra point.

After blowing a 2-0 lead built in the first 10 minutes of regulation, Carolina struggled throughout. Fortunately for the Hurricane faithful, they held on every time they needed to Thursday night in the RBC Center in their regular season, series-deciding game against the division rival Washington Capitals.

Manny Legace had recorded 41 solid saves, but two preventable five-hole goals from 35-goal-scorer Alexander Semin and John Carlson, who's tally was the first of his NHL career, had tied the game up after a quick start by Carolina.

Back in the first period, both rookie defensemen Jamie McBain and Bryan Rodney recorded their second and first goals in the NHL, respectively, marking just the third time in Hartford/Carolina franchise history that two first-season defensemen had scored in the same game.

At the wire, Legace had also come up big. He made two miraculous, last-ditch effort saves in the waning seconds of regulation and then fended off serious pressure by the 'Caps at the end of overtime to get the 'Canes to the SO.

But Legace was stumped by Backstrom in the first round of the shootout and a rare off-the-post miss by specialist Jussi Jokinen, who recorded two assists in regulation, had put the Hurricanes on the brink of elimination, much to the dismay of the more than 18,000 fans in attendance.

When Ray Whitney stepped onto the ice, just 4-for-14 in his career and 0-for-1 on the season, the weight of the 'Canes anxious fans' and players' effort spent to get them to this point (and perhaps even their playoff hopes) were riding on Whitney.

And, just like "The Wizard" has all season, Whitney delivered. Semyon Varlamov played the attempt perfectly, and the puck seemed to be under his pads. But Whitney pulled another magic trick out of his black-and-red jersey sleeve, and the puck drifted just far enough to send the referee's arm into a goal signal and the fans into an uproar.

However, just like he has all season, Whitney shifted the attention and the fame to one of his teammates moments later.

In the fifth round of the shootout, he suggested that the next 'Canes shooter should be Chad LaRose, who had scored a breakaway goal on Varlamov just a week earlier. After some consideration, Chad LaRose indeed jumped onto the ice for his first shootout attempt of the season. And under the close eye of every person in the arena, "Rosey" came through with a indescribably beautiful goal.

All the Hurricanes needed at that point was a no-goal by Mike Green, the 'Caps next shooter...and for once, Legace didn't need to make a move— the shot sailed high and off the endwall.

Amidst the blaring airhorn, frantic Hurricanes faithful, and slumping Capitals players, the Carolina Hurricanes had finally come up with a game where they fought hard, battled despite being outmatched and outshot (43 to 31 if you want the numbers), came through when they needed it most, and created a memory to savor in a disappointing season of losses.

It was a victory where year-long team leaders, such as Jussi Jokinen (two assists) and Ray Whitney (one assist), came through in a new way. They worked hard, so the glory went to a trio of players that haven't gotten much attention. In fact, Chad LaRose, Jamie McBain, and Bryan Rodney have only had 10 goals, 20 assists, and 68 games played...combined!

Furthermore, Hurricane savior goaltender Manny Legace, who was named the first star of the game, ended up recording a hard fought 95.3 save percentage and, more importantly, one of his most creditable wins in probably the last weeks of his long career.

While Carolina probably won't make the playoffs (as they're still seven points out with just eight games left to play) and Washington will still clinch the top spot in the East with a few weeks left in the regular season, it was really the spirit that counted last night.

Despite their struggles, they never gave up; and now the Carolina Hurricanes players, staff, and coaches finally have a win to remember and a season-series victory against the likely Presidents' Cup-winning, fierce rival Washington Capitals.

Enjoy it, 'Canes.

Mark Jones is currently Bleacher Report's featured columnist for the Carolina Hurricanes. In his 19 months so far with the site, he has written over 175 articles and received over 115,000 total reads.

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