For most of the season the Carolina Hurricanes have been doing just good enough to stay above the playoff cut line, despite their struggles within the Metro division and their unstable defensive play. Things were at a peak high coming off their west coast trip in mid-December but have sharply fallen off ever sense.
Game after game things seemed to continue to get worse for the Canes, all building up to what feels like a distinct tipping point last night. Not only did the Canes lose a 3-2 game to the Columbus Blue Jackets by allowing a goal within the final two minutes of regulation, but they also lost their All-Star defenseman Dougie Hamilton to a gruesome injury that will likely hold him out for a very long time.