Just Win Baby

After 81 games, it all comes down to this. Again.

If the Canes can pull off a win tonight against the Kitty Cats at the RBC Center, the Southeast division is theirs.

Following an inspired bounce-back performance on Wednesday against Tampa Bay, bouyed by an inspiring performances from Chad LaRose (first career hat trick) and Eric Staal (who scored on the first shift of the game), the Hurricanes have their destiny in their own hands.

Washington held serve last night with a 4-1 win over Tampa Bay and, despite falling behind 1-0 just 30 seconds into the game, show no real signs of going gently into that good night (against Florida on Saturday).

Tonight's game figures to be a tough one. One would suspect that nothing would make another playoff-less campaign from the Panthers a little more palatable than knocking the Canes off their perch at the top of the Southeast. The Panthers have not beaten the Canes in Raleigh since December...of 2002!!!...and the kitties always seem to play with a chip on their shoulder against the Canes...or is that an inferiority complex??

Man, I really wish I could be there.

Here's hoping that the Caniacs are in full throat tonight and that the team comes out with a killer instinct from the start. Put away the Panthers early, and don't give them any reason to fight to the end. Perhaps easier said than done. I feel like my nerves are shot already. And we haven't even gotten into the playoofs yet. Geez.

GO Canes!

-m