Desire

The opportunity was there tonight and it was blown. Up 1-0 going into the third, a situation from which the Canes haven't lost this year, they gave up three goals, including two in the final 2:30, to lose. Instead of possibly tied for first in the division, they drop down to third. Winning teams step it up in the big games. They make a difference. Atlanta did that. Carolina did not.

I still think Carolina will make the playoffs, but they need to change something about their attitude and their chemistry before then if they want to make it out of the first round. The Canes are in the 7 spot right now, although that's more a factor of having played more games than anything else. It's going to be tight.