Canes out shoot - can't out score

For the second straight preseason game, Carolina out shot their opponent but could not outscore them. This time it was divisional foe Washington. Carolina put the puck on net 31 time but was able to get it past Capitals starting goaltender Olaf Kolzig two times in the second period. Meanwhile, the Canes crease was split between number one goaltender Cam Ward and Michael Leighton who is attempting to push John Grahame out of the number two position.
Scoring for the Canes was again number 11 Justin Williams 36 seconds into the third period to prevent Carolina from being shutout (something that hasn’t happened this preseason). Erik Cole tipped in a shot from team captain Rod Brind'Amour to even the score. The Caps put the game away on the only power play goal scored in the game.
Speaking of the power play, the Canes were zero for six in the fourth preseason game. This is a trend that seems to stem from a squad that was horrible with the man advantage last season.
Next up for Carolina is a road game against Columbus and then Carolina hosts the Blue Jackets to finish up the Canes preseason schedule.
One thing that Carolina is having an issue with when attempting to trim their roster to the final 22 players, is placing goaltender Michael Leighton and forward Ryan Bayda on waivers to be sent down to AHL Albany. With the way these two players have played, I would not be surprised if a team picked up Leighton since it seems that goaltending could be an issue this season. Bayda not clearing waivers either is not something that is far fetched. Last season, he spent time with the big club and if sent to Albany, he probably (again in my opinion) won’t clear waivers.