Habs at Canes - Gameday Preview
by Bob Wage on Nov 18, 2008 3:16 PM EST
18 comments
The Montreal Canadiens are visiting Raleigh and will take on the Carolina Hurricanes tonight at the RBC. Both teams are coming off shootout victories in their most previous games. The Canes won 3-2 over Tampa Bay, and the Habs took the Blues by the exact same score.
Strangely enough the last time the two teams met on October 28th, the Canadiens won by shootout once again by the same score, 3-2.
The Hurricanes have lost three of their last four and are 4-4 at home while Montreal has lost two of their last three and are 5-2-2 on the road.
Cam Ward will be in net for Carolina and we assume that goalie sensation, Carey Price will assume the position for the Habs. FYI, Cory's recent article about Price has been linked to by several Montreal media outlets including Habs Inside/Out, and we have had over a thousand visitors so far today from that site alone. Welcome all.
Hopefully, the article doesn't make it's way to the visitor's dressingroom to be used as bulletin board fodder. : -)
The hot player for Carolina has been Rod Brind'Amour who has points in five straight games.
There will be no local television tonight, but if you can not make it to the RBC check out Center Ice or 99.9 FM for the radio broadcast. I will be posting "live updates" from the rink between periods here on the blog. The puck drops at 7:05.
By the way, if you are undecided about coming to the game, get to the rink! If you bring in two or more cans of food for goodwill, the Hurricanes will reward you with a two-for-one ticket voucher good for tonight's matchup only.
_____
Scoring goals is problematic-
While many people have been concerned about the Hurricanes defense and goaltending issues this year, the scoring, (or lack there-of) has been the primary difference so far between this year and last.
After 18 games last season, the Canes had scored 68 goals and allowed 53. After 18 games this season, the team has only scored 49 and allowed 55.
Of course the multitude of injuries didn't really hit the Canes until after the first two months of last season, while this season the injuries have hit earlier and harder, but still the difference is remarkable. It boils down to individual production.
Eric Staal has been "shouldering" much of the blame for the scoring woes, but there is plenty of blame to be shared by the rest of the team. Sergei Samsonov has yet to score a goal. Matt Cullen has been scoreless since his return to the lineup. Patrick Eaves and Scott Walker have also missed games due to injuires, but they have had trouble finding the scoresheet as well.
No single player is at fault here, this is a group failure.
Just for comparison sake, I did a little research to see how a few of the Hurricanes stacked up against some other players in the league, some good, some not so good. The players who really stick out are the ones costing over 1 million per point. That's not very good value, even though it is still early in the year.
I don't know what's going on with Chris Clark, team captain for Washington. He only has one point so far this season.
Recently, Edmonton coach Craig MacTavish went off on Oilers forward Dustin Penner, publically calling him out and indicating that he was a waste of money. Apparently, "Mac T" went to the John Tortorella school of public admonishment. Will the tongue lashing work?
So far, coach Peter Laviolette has not resorted to throwing one of his players under the public bus, even though he is on the hot-seat himself. We will see what happens.
(these numbers are all as of November 17, 2008 and based upon the annual salary for the 2008-09 season)
| salary | points | dollars per point | |
| Staal | $ 5,000,000 | 10 | $ 500,000 |
| Cullen | $ 2,800,000 | 4 | $ 700,000 |
| Samsonov | $ 2,300,000 | 3 | $ 766,667 |
| Walker | $ 2,500,000 | 3 | $ 833,333 |
| Eaves | $ 1,100,000 | 2 | $ 550,000 |
| Getzlaf | $ 4,500,000 | 22 | $ 204,545 |
| Kovalchuk | $ 7,500,000 | 16 | $ 468,750 |
| Bergeron | $ 5,000,000 | 10 | $ 500,000 |
| Roy | $ 3,500,000 | 10 | $ 350,000 |
| Iginla | $ 7,000,000 | 21 | $ 333,333 |
| Havlat | $ 6,000,000 | 15 | $ 400,000 |
| Byfuglien | $ 3,000,000 | 6 | $ 500,000 |
| Ladd | $ 1,450,000 | 7 | $ 207,143 |
| Nash | $ 6,500,000 | 15 | $ 433,333 |
| Modin | $ 3,250,000 | 7 | $ 464,286 |
| Huselius | $ 4,750,000 | 12 | $ 395,833 |
| Smyth | $ 7,250,000 | 10 | $ 725,000 |
| Sakic | $ 6,000,000 | 12 | $ 500,000 |
| Tucker | $ 2,200,000 | 7 | $ 314,286 |
| Richards | $ 7,800,000 | 13 | $ 600,000 |
| Penner | $ 4,250,000 | 4 | $ 1,062,500 |
| Cole | $ 4,000,000 | 5 | $ 800,000 |
| Horton | $ 3,500,000 | 10 | $ 350,000 |
| Stillman | $ 3,600,000 | 9 | $ 400,000 |
| Spezza | $ 8,000,000 | 15 | $ 533,333 |
| Fisher | $ 6,000,000 | 6 | $ 1,000,000 |
| Kelly | $ 2,500,000 | 4 | $ 625,000 |
| Vermette | $ 2,525,000 | 4 | $ 631,250 |
| Lecavalier | $ 7,167,000 | 12 | $ 597,250 |
| Prospal | $ 3,500,000 | 11 | $ 318,182 |
| Vrbata | $ 3,000,000 | 3 | $ 1,000,000 |
| Malone | $ 6,000,000 | 3 | $ 2,000,000 |
| Blake | $ 4,500,000 | 8 | $ 562,500 |
| Clark | $ 2,750,000 | 1 | $ 2,750,000 |
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this is great stuff, bubba.
reminds me of mirtle’s place.
we hurricanes fans are truly spoiled by this blog
-c
by chris on Nov 18, 2008 4:11 PM EST reply actions
Great post!! I like the value…$$ value per point. That’s too much Bubba!! Maybe the NHL owners can use a buyers guide before the next deadline. You should market that!! I’m sure they enjoy a great deal like the rest of us:) Truly an eye opener.
More to my point of post-Way too much talent on Canes roster for mediocrity.
I just reviewed some stats as they apply overall on the league and the Canes are 12th overall on points, 17th allowing 3 Goals per game (tied with Anaheim and Colorado), 19th on goals scored per game, tied for 12th (Columbus) with shots per game 29.9, 20th on the power play, and 14th on the PK. (per NHL.com) IMO these numbers illustrate the “group” problem as Bubba mentions above.
While the stats don’t speak at individual players efforts the total of lackluster work on ice adds up to a mediocre team so far. Don’t get me wrong as I am a Caniac to the bones but I’m also a fan who doesn’t see the players meeting value or potential. Still lovin’ the $$ value per point chart!! But it doesn’t lie.
So far we’ve seen too much inconsistency on every facet per game. If you have to cite the game against Detroit as the Canes most complete game to date that was over a month ago!! I give props to Cam Ward again for taking the high road after the loss to Atlanta. He looks at himself to play stronger…not the next guy!! That’s too easy I guess, but he keeps working.
I again agree with Bubba regarding the “group” and ask you all to think back to our 06 Cup season. As the Canes left the dressing room for the ice at home what did it say over the door?? It’s not about me, it about the guy in front of me!! Too much talent here for mediocrity!! I see it snow outside today and believe that our weather is changing. Let’s hope it changes for the Canes too!!
by Eman on Nov 18, 2008 4:13 PM EST reply actions
Yes believe it or nor steady flurries for about an hour. All fun stopped by 3:30 though. Here’s to hoping on signs. Enjoy tonights game all who are going….can’t go- sick kids and Momma’s working:( Figures as it’s BOGO night. Go Canes!!
by Eman on Nov 18, 2008 5:03 PM EST reply actions
Did you adjust Staal’s dollars per point value considering that 2 of those points were empty netters…
No snow in Winston, but getting the fireplace ready for tonight.
by AD on Nov 18, 2008 5:03 PM EST reply actions
Did you go smoke a bowl with Ross Perot? Charts like this…
That chart to me says Getzlaf is the king. Not to mention our guys are WAY over paid per point.
Or is it me?
A
by Paladin6 on Nov 18, 2008 5:08 PM EST reply actions
Hey kids, it snowed out here on the coast today. It’s definitely a sign.
by janeybell on Nov 18, 2008 5:20 PM EST reply actions
Hey Paladin-
Gotta say that Getzlaf is giving it up cheap!!! He’s running everyone’s point $$$ values down…who the hell wants to work in that market. Sheesh…. $204K per point what’s he trying to do give it away?? :)
by Eman on Nov 18, 2008 5:55 PM EST reply actions
Personally I like the way Malone and Clarke got it figured…… Lemme see if I only score 6 points all season and they pay me millions man what that can do for me in arbitration. So when I hold out on my next deal no owner will have a leg to stand on…especially if players of my market status are getting say almost 500K a point. Man I’m lovin’ that.
For real- these top dollar Prima donna’s will ruin this game with the lack of production. No organization can survive if ticket sales don’t increase to offset these types of overinflated salaries. Any takers on when that bubble will burst?? C’mon Vrbata I know you’re out there.
by Eman on Nov 18, 2008 6:02 PM EST reply actions
2010 is when the cba gives the unions the first shot at a snivvle.
What about Ovechkin, Malkin, Crosby, Hossa, Zetterberg, Datsyuk or was that just a list of losers….
Yes, I want my trophy back!!!
What about the intangible D guys? What’s Lidstrom get for a point saved? How about Cambell, Redden, et al.
I’m not a fan of such a hand picked list. I like the stats mind you, just not sure what we have there. reminds me of the election we just went through.
A
by Paladin6 on Nov 18, 2008 6:51 PM EST reply actions
I agree with Chris, that we are spoiled to have Bubba and this blog… :D
Also, @chris, it even snowed in Greenville, NC today, less than an hour from the beach..
“Let it snow…”
by CaniacFan7 on Nov 18, 2008 7:32 PM EST reply actions
the link that dude posted earlier works great! Thanks a ton for that and apparently works for quite a few games….http://atdhe.net/ Canes look good so far. Owning the puck.
0-0
GO CANES
by TylerA on Nov 18, 2008 7:43 PM EST reply actions
TSN guy just said “Montreals work ethic is pathetic, compared to Carolinas”……Thats huge after you get called out by your GM for a lack of WORK ETHIC.
by TylerA on Nov 18, 2008 7:47 PM EST reply actions
SAMMY TIES IT!!!!!! first goal of the GAME AND SEASON!!!!
by TylerA on Nov 18, 2008 8:56 PM EST reply actions
Ain’t it great to see this team finally outhit and outgrit someone?
by Cory on Nov 18, 2008 9:19 PM EST reply actions
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