Preds at Canes - Last Chance for Players on the Cusp

Today's game at the RBC is the last exhibition game and the final chance for bubble players to prove themselves, but several vets will be in the lineup for Carolina. Rod Brind'Amour is cleared to play and is on the ice for the Hurricanes, as is Ray Whitney. Joni Pitkanen is taking the day off.

Here are the lines so far-

• 12-13-44


• 17-59-14


• 24-18-8


• 16-20-28


• 6-22


• 33-7


• 5-77

((update))

Uneventful first period. Wallin took a bad hooking call and Melichar took a borderline tripping call. Staal had a couple of good chances. Whitney and Brind'Amour look okay, for their first time out. Ward has been solid so far. Nashville has 14 shots on goal to 9 shots for Carolina. On to the second.

((update 2))

Highlight of the second period? Staal and Samsonov have a two on one break, Staal puts the shot on goal, and the rebound kicks out to Samsonov who has a wide open net. The goal light goes on, the goal horn goes off, but the puck is not in the net.

Nashville is still outshooting the Canes 23-20. Staal is in the box for slashing to start off the third. Still a scoreless tie for now.

I'll have a post-game report later tonight.