Canes Powerplay Takes Step Back, Rangers 3 Canes 2, SO
by Bob Wage on Dec 13, 2008 11:35 PM EST
10 comments
The Carolina Hurricanes had numerous chances on the powerplay including a full two minute 5-on-3 advantage, but failed to capitalize while falling to the New York Rangers, 3-2 in a shootout on Saturday night. Not only did the Canes end up 0-8 while playing with the advantage, they also allowed a short-handed goal when Rod Brind'Amour lost the puck at the blueline, giving the blueshirts an oddman rush coming back the other way.
The Rangers opened the scoring on a powerplay goal by Markus Naslund, but Tuomo Ruutu tied it up just seconds later as he put back a Tim Gleason shot. Eric Staal created the play when he stole the puck behind the net and skated it out to Gleason, who fired it right back at the net.
The Rangers went back into the lead later in the first period on the ill-fated shortie.
In the second period, the Canes came out with a bit more jump and out-shot the Rangers. Scott Walker, (who was moved to the Brind'Amour/Whitney line for this game) hit Ray Whitney with a perfect pass and Whitney made no mistake as his quick release fooled New York goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.
The score remained tied until the end of regulation. In the overtime period the Canes put six shots on goal, but could not get anything past Lundqvist.
Next came the shootout, something the Hurricanes have not exactly excelled at for the past couple of years. Matt Cullen, Sergei Samsonov, Ray Whitney, Eric Staal, and Justin Williams all came up short for Carolina. Chris Drury made a very nice move and back-handed the puck past Cam Ward at the beginning of the fifth round for the game-winner.
The Hurricanes picked up another tough point on the road, but when the Panthers and Capitals are taking two points at a time, consolation points for losing do not seem to mean much.
Game Notes-
Cam Ward looked good on his return. He made a few tough saves and it's hard to fault him for the ones that got past him. Stopping four of five shots on the shootout is an improvement.
Scott Walker's minutes doubled as he was moved up to the Brind'Amour line. The line looked very good at times in the game.
Chad LaRose and Wade Brookbank were healthy scratched for the contest because Maurice wanted to play seven defensemen. The strategy to play an extra blueliner was probably justified because both Seidenberg and Gleason were returning from injuries, but why LaRose? If you compare number 59's numbers with Eaves' and Bayda's, LaRose comes out on top.
- LaRose - 29GP 7G 2A 9P -1
- Eaves - 24GP 0G 5A 5P +4
- Bayda - 30GP 3G 6A 9P +5
If the coaching staff wants to argue that the best plus/minus gets to play, not the highest goal scoring, then why is Brind'Amour leading the forwards with ice time? He has a league worst -21 and has had the worst stat on the team for several weeks. Playing the best plus/minus in this case would be an inconsistent argument.
Brind'Amour got the most time on the powerplay and he was also on the ice for almost the entire 5-on-3. Once again he led all forwards with ice time, 24:09 for this game.
Speaking of TOI, Tim Conboy and Bryan Rodney got about 5 minutes each while Brett Carson played about 10 minutes. The Canes are getting their money's worth out of Joni Pitkanen as he broke the 30 minute mark again with 31:14 of TOI while Joe Corvo got 31:25.
Previously injured Tim Gleason and Dennis Seidenberg looked no worse for wear.
Even though the Rangers played a very tough contest the previous night against division rival New Jersey, they out-hit the Hurricanes 39-27 and their hits were much more devastating. During a brief clip on FS Carolinas which was supposed to highlight the physicality of the contest, every single hit shown was one by the Rangers.
Dennis Seidenberg led the team with three blocked shots.
Next up for the Hurricanes will be the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night. The Habs lost to Washington on home ice tonight, 2-1.
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The plusses
Wardo played well
Team played hard
The minuses
Power play is slow as molasses
Coaches continue to overplay Pitkanen and Corvo
24 minutes of ice time for Rod Brindamour
Ice time decisions from the twilight zone – minimum ice time
for young D, LaRose sits, Brookbank sits
Rangers continue to push the Canes around
It’s only December, but this season is beginning to slip away …
by JohnS on Dec 13, 2008 11:48 PM EST reply actions
scratching the chad is bull, he gives more than 99% of the team…
by pete on Dec 14, 2008 12:15 AM EST reply actions
I agree w/ you Bubba & Pete on the +/- & scratch issues. On that subject – it was totally bizarre how Tripp made an issue of justifying Staal’s rating & even went so far as to ask him about it in the warmup. Of all the many complaints I’ve heard about Staal, I can’t remember his plus/minus being one of them. And as you say, if this issue is so important then why the bleep is Brindy never mentioned?? It so makes Forslund’s comment on Kalinin’s worst +/- among defencemen seem especially homerish.
Dressing 7 d gave them the perfect excuse to scratch Brindy. Just say you need to evaluate what you’ve got to work with & you’re taking this opportunity to give him some rest. But no – while Brindy continues to get tons of ice time while playing poorly (that turnover on the PP was disgusting) LaRose is scratched. Pfft.
What is the distribution of ice time based on anyway? Obviously not performance. Bayda, LaRose (clearly), Sutter, & I would also argue Conboy should be out there more.
God, the whole thing is so infuriating.
One last thing, I would’ve had Ruutu shoot before Williams.
by Janie on Dec 14, 2008 2:02 AM EST reply actions
Forgot to say, but thank you JohnS for reminding me: Ward was very good. And they really DID look slow!! On the PP especially.
And I love how the highlight package of hits had zero Canes hitting anyone. They were all clips of Rangers hitting people.
by Janie on Dec 14, 2008 2:09 AM EST reply actions
Sutter looked like he got more playing time (which is nice).
But please take Brindamour OUT of the Power play. Let him win a face off and get his butt off the ice.
by neaux on Dec 14, 2008 7:40 AM EST reply actions
Wow, missed this one, seems like something is in the air. LaRose should never be a healthy scratch. He “may only be a 4th liner” but he’s he’s one of the hardest working and productive ones out there. I’d call that a mistake.
Don’t crumb on Joni’s minutes. He’s getting paid big bucks and I think the BMOC job on D is open. I think it’s Gleasons to lose, but Joni when he’s hot is as good as we can hope for. I will say 30 minutes is pretty tough day in and out, but the great players play better with big minutes. I want to see Lidstrom style out of him and if he can do it, play his ass all friggin’ night. Corvo, too, I don’t think he’s got the skill set that Joni has, though. Gleason on the other hand is the other type of D man. He’s got size skill and attitude. I really think the D people we have if given the chance can be wicked effective. Not that devils shutdown shit either. I mean both sides of the ice, playing fast tough hockey. The blurbs that I saw just make me sad for Roddy. I think he’s gonna be a dad after this year, not a hockey player.
Here’s a neat one. Since Mo’s been here how many points outta how many have we gotten? Reminds me of a nasty October road trip….
Anyway, tear ’em up!!!!!
A
by Paladin6 on Dec 14, 2008 4:49 PM EST reply actions
Rod Brind’Amour is hurting this team pure and simple. Get him off the ice. Really, the decision is make the playoffs or let Brind’Amour find himself. He is owed nothing. He is simply getting old. I don’t think this franchise can afford to miss the playoffs again. I will say it again. Let Eric Staal take over and this team will follow. It is time to change… do it do it do it.
The LaRose thing is just wierd. I don’t get it. There must be something that we don’t know. Someone tell us so we stop hating.
Stop passing on the power play and take shots. Why the hell is the passing so damned slow? Every other team makes fast crisp passes. What the hell? Last time I checked, the puck is supposed to move faster than the defense….hence the Power in Power Play….
This is the most frustrating Hurricane team that I have seen since they arrived.
by Ken on Dec 14, 2008 5:39 PM EST reply actions
Isn’t every decison mad eby this club in the past 3 weeks infuriatingly bizare? BUt hey look at the bright side, since canning Lavi we have really reversed our fortunes,we have a winning record since, have regained control of the SE and turned around our powerplay. O wait, whats that……..
by wylde4canes on Dec 14, 2008 5:49 PM EST reply actions
Look for this team to be dismantled after this year.
by goalie matt on Dec 15, 2008 9:02 AM EST reply actions
Can’t wait till the seasons over.. I have never wanted a year of hockey to get over this bad in my life (EVER!!!, and I’m an avid ’Canes fan)! Please JR, dismantle this team and get us some damn free agents that are worth the price of admission!!!! This team truly lacks lot of chemistry, and is old and outdated!
by thankyoucomeagain on Dec 16, 2008 12:27 AM EST reply actions
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