After getting embarrassed in Washington just 24 hours earlier, it came as a shock that the Carolina Hurricanes were as flat footed as they were in the first period.
Defensive lapses, turnovers and an inability to cleanly pass the puck followed the Canes’ back home and, because of that, it was an uphill battle early in Carolina.
It wasn’t like the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins were particularly good, it was just that the Hurricanes were just making those small mental mistakes.
The first Pittsburgh goal came off a tough Necas turnover in his own end.