Canes Sweep Buffalo in 3 Game Season Series

I will be the first to admit, last year when I heard thet Justin Peters was the starting goalie, I usually chalked that game up as a loss. I was glad that Dan Ellis was our back-up this year, I felt like we had a solid chance at winning when he was in goal. Then Cam Ward goes down for 6-8 weeks due to a 3rd degree MCL sprain. That throws Dan Ellis into the starting position, and I was ok with that. Justin Peters is recalled from Charlotte to be Ellis's back-up. Last night, in Raleigh, the Canes took on the Buffalo Sabres. Ellis was still feeling the effects of flu-like symptoms. Kirk Muller gives Peters the nod. I was less than optomistic. But Justin Peters was like a MACHINE in the first 2 periods of that game! I have a new faith in Justin Peters. The Hurricanes completed the season sweep of the Sabres, winning 4-3 on an outstanding display of goal tending. Carolina jumped up early with Jiri Tlusty scoring at 1:31 in the 1st and Eric Staal scored his 600th point on the assist. He had 3 assists on the night. Justin peters had 37 saves on 40 shots in his first game for the Canes this year. None better than a stop on a shot from Thomas Vanek at 1:17 in the 2nd. Vanek was wide open on the back door and threw one at the goal that made my heart sink. I knew it was a goal. But Peters got into postion for an amazing stick save. Ryan Miller also had some impressive save for Buffalo. He stopped a 2 man rush when Eric Staal stole the puck and passed to Alexander Semin in front of the net. Miller made a great glove save on Semin's shot. Joe Corvo added a goal at 12:17 in the 2nd to make it 2-0 Canes. The Sabres made it 2-1 off of a Cory Hodgson goal 25 seconds into the 3rd. less than a minute later, Jussi Jokinen gave the Canes a 3-1 lead scoring at 1:15. The Sabres had a PP in the 3rd and the Canes attepted to clear the puck, which was sent over the glass to create a 5-3 for Buffalo.  TJ Brennan scored just as Jay Harrison came back on the ice to end the 5 on 3, the goal ended the delay penalty. At 16;43 Alexander Semin made it a 4-2 Carolina lead, and Hodgson scored his 2nd of the night for Buffalo with 35 seconds left in regulation. The canes got away with a 4-3 win. next up for Carolina is a home game on Thursday vs the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs beat the Canes 3-0 in their last meeting. Montreal is coming off of a 3-6 loss at the hands of the Islanders in NY. The puck drops at 7pm in PNC Arena Thursday night.