Hopefully Sweet-Tasting Start Doesn't Go Sour
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 12, 2008 5:31 PM EDT
8 comments
Carolina started its season with two big come-from-behind victories against division foes, leaving fans enamored with the exhilarating play, never-say-die attidude and — most of all — four points.
There's no denying that there are many pleasing things we can take away from this first weekend of Hurricanes hockey. The play of defensemen Joni Pitkanen, Frank Kaberle and Tim Gleason has been encouraging. Captain Rod Brind'Amour may still have a little rust on his fender, but that hasn't kept him from scoring clutch goals in each game while winning nearly 57 percent of his faceoffs. Matt Cullen, whose health has been questioned throughout the offseason and preseason, parlayed his empty-netter from the opener into another goal Saturday, and has looked good doing it. Eric Staal, Tuomo Ruutu and Ray Whitney have all shown flashes of being unstoppable in the offensive zone. And, maybe most importantly, Cam Ward and Michael Leighton each have a win under their belts in steady, if unspectacular, performances.
Comeback wins. Solid defensive play. Scoring from every line of forwards. Two goalies that can win on any given night.
Yup, people are already comparing this incarnation of the Carolina Hurricanes to the one that won it all in the 2005-06 season. You see, not only do players get a taste of the Stanley Cup and want it even more. So do fans. And diehard Caniacs are gobbling up these first two triumphs of the season.
It's been exciting, that's for sure, but the there were some fundamental flaws in the play of each of their opponents. In the opener, the Hurricanes benefited from a shaky Tomas Vokoun, who seemed just as likely to bobble a puck or leave a juicy rebound as he was to make a big save. The Tampa Bay defense is, to put it lightly, a disaster. Not a Sandis-Ozolinsh-turning-the-puck-over-for-an-opponent-breakaway-type disaster, but rather a the-puck-is-never-getting-out-of-their-end disaster.
That's not to take away from what Carolina accomplished in their two wins. But despite what many main-stream media types will tell you, the Panthers and Lightning will be very hard-pressed to even compete for a playoff spot, forget about earn one. The Canes' intensity, effort and will was there, the type of effort we all remember from 2005-06. What hasn't been there yet, however, is a good opponent.
That changes Monday night.
The defending champion Red Wings will not go up two or three goals early and then roll over at the first sign of a comeback. Nicklas Lidstrom alone has the ability to score an extra goal to pad the lead, or keep his opponents out of his own end for long stretches. Much like the Ottawa game in 2005 — when the Canes knocked off the then-unbeaten Senators, thus exposing a chink in the Sens' armor and legitimizing Carolina as a force to be reckoned with — Monday's game will serve as a big early season litmus test.
Through two games, there have been lots of tasty ingredients. Even the end result has been delicious. But this is not a recipe for success over an 82-game season, and everyone — from Jim Rutherford to Peter Laviolette to the players to the fans — knows that. It's time for the Hurricanes to stop whipping up 20 minutes of fast food and work on a 60-minute, three-course meal. That's easier said than done. But so is beating the defending champions.
0 recs |
8 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
I couldn’t agree more Cory. The Canes have to play 60 minutes of solid hockey to even keep up with Detroit. We don’t need to go in there with the mentality of “well they lost their first game and we just won our first 2 games”, otherwise we’re done before we start. Detroit will be on their top game against us and we better be ready for it. I will be there to cheer our Canes on. We can win this game if we play our top game with little mistakes. Go Canes!
by Caron on Oct 12, 2008 5:41 PM EDT reply actions
If we only had Brind’Amour available to take face offs, he would be worth the roster spot. Especially with the new rules this year revolving around face offs in the offensive zone after penalties.
Sutter has also been great. Samsonov should have a few goals by now but was robbed multiple times.
Unfortunately, our goalie situation is not that much improved from last year. I still don’t feel Cam Ward can carry this team. If he is left alone 1 on 1, many times he is scored on. I didn’t feel comfortable going into a shootout the other night at TB with Leighton either. Thank goodness Staal didn’t let that happen.
Go Canes!
by Fred on Oct 13, 2008 10:06 AM EDT reply actions
I will have a preview article for tonight’s game posted after lunch.
by Bubba on Oct 13, 2008 10:18 AM EDT reply actions
Once Brind’Amour gets back up to speed, he’ll be back killing penalties and taking all the big faceoffs. And even with that, he’s still taken 51 out of 135 so far through two games. the good news is Staal is at 50 percent on the year so far. It’s early, but that’s encouraging.
Brind’Amour’s two goals have both been big ones — ones everyone has come to expect from a guy who is so clutch and a great leader. Even though he’s been slowed in the first two outing, I don’t the Carolina wins either game without him.
by Cory on Oct 13, 2008 10:22 AM EDT reply actions
Can’t wait to watch tonight’s game!! I like what I see. Everything I was looking for this year is there… physicality, heart, the oft-mentioned “puck-moving defensemen” who are QBing the PP. They have to start scoring first, though. Nice blog on Cullen and line-shift impact by Forslund today. They seem to need to find a good balance between having the D play up with the attack and not getting out of position. On a few occasions, the pendulum has almost swung too far this year and that led to them getting beat in both games on breakaways. Gleason’s caution helps when he is paired with others, as was discussed on TV and in the interviews on 99.9 after the game on Friday. I’m certainly no expert, though… just a fan who loves the Canes and loves this game. I am so happy that hockey is back!
by SamsonovFan on Oct 13, 2008 10:48 AM EDT reply actions
I just wanted to say that the writing in your article is great and easy to read. Keep up the great work Bubba!! We all appreciate your dedication!
by CaniacFan7 on Oct 13, 2008 1:21 PM EDT reply actions
It’s being reported that Conklin will be in net for Detroit tonight. Can you say dejavue?
by Caron on Oct 13, 2008 2:33 PM EDT reply actions
Did Andrew Ladd get checked into their starter?
;)
by Cory on Oct 13, 2008 4:04 PM EDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- In which former NHL coach Ken Hitchcock foils a shoplifter
- Montreal's Price talks new 2-year contract, expectations post-Halak
- Donald Fehr aware of Kovalchuk drama, mum on everything else
- Puck Headlines: Savard's agent rants on Bettman; Halak in Montreal
- Boudreau, Crawford placed on the coaching hot seat
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
