Photo by D. L. Anderson
Erik Cole's late-game scores may salvage an uneven road trip.
Sunday afternoon, although badly outshot by the Thrashers, the Canes again found a late goal. When most teams would be playing it safe to get the game to overtime to secure at least one point in the standings, Carolina kept pressing, and Cole again scored with just 1:19 left for a 3-2 win in regulation.
The head-to-head win put the Canes two points ahead of the Thrashers and just two behind the New York Rangers for seventh in the conference.
Although it's not the time of year to play firewagon hockey, Carolina's young lineup might be better suited to win with surges than through consistent, disciplined play. Third period leads have been a bane lately. On Feb. 5, the Thrashers tied the game with 1:24 left before losing in overtime—allowing them a point that could prove crucial before this season's over. Three nights later, on the verge of beating the Devils on the first game of the current road trip, the Canes allowed the home team back into it with a tying goal just 2:54 from the final horn. New Jersey eventually won the game in overtime—another point squandered.
Carolina begins a four-game home stand on Friday, when they will retire Rod Brind'Amour's jersey in what is expected to be an emotional pregame ceremony, before hosting the Flyers.