With a roster loaded with veterans, loaded with experience, added-to at the deadline for a playoff run… The Carolina Hurricanes are hear-by vanquished to the land of one-hit-wonders.

Yes, that’s right, by way of Tampa Bay’s victory over the Canes tonight (and coupled with the victory by the Montreal Canadiens). the defending Stanley Cup Champions are eliminated from playoff contention. The best the Hurricanes can manage is 90 points, the same point total as Les Habitantes who own the tie breaker with more victories.

And the Lightning? They currently stand one point behind Atlanta for the division title (while Atlanta has one game in-hand).

Just housekeeping note — I am not trying to migrate ALL discussion to the message board. Just some of it.

Jim Johnson on Sticks of Fire talks about Tampa Bay Online forcing comments onto their message board.

If that’s not a good enough reason — trying NOT to be TBO — to stop bugging people about taking part in the Lightning forum on FanHome by way of Boltsmag, I don’t know what is

Another housekeeping note — I’m still working on it but we have a new poll software being used now. We’re asking about the Hart Trophy and who you think deserves it… I expect more than a few partial votes, but knock yourselves out