In what felt like a must-win game on Friday night, the Carolina Hurricanes lacked the desperation that they needed. Instead of treating their tilt with the Ottawa Senators like a big game, they totally wet the bed and put together a half-hearted performance - for the second game in a row.
Newcomer Nino Niederreiter and his linemates Greg McKegg and Justin Williams got the start for Carolina, and they brought energy.
Niederreiter was noticeable from the start, finishing his hits, competing hard, and certainly feeding off the new-guy adrenaline.