Canes Hope To "Fair" Better On The Road
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 19, 2009 11:34 PM EDT
144 comments
While the smell of chicken-fried bacon — yes, that's right ... chicken-fried bacon — wafts through the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, the Carolina Hurricanes have hit the road for their annual escape from the 11 days of bustle that comes to western Raleigh each October.
This year's four-game trip comes with the Hurricanes struggling. After getting shutout by the Devils in the first game of their roadie, Carolina had totaled just five points in seven games on the season and is tied with Toronto for the second-fewest goals per game in the NHL at 2.0 per game. Of those 14 goals, half were scored in the Canes' 7-2 win over Florida on Oct. 9, meaning they've scored just seven in their other six games — an average of 1.17 per game.
But the next three games away from the RBC Center afford the Hurricanes — who are 2-4-1 on the season — an opportunity to get away from their struggles and right the ship. And since the lockout, the Canes have used their annual road trip during the State Fair to do just that.
Since the 2005-06 season, Carolina has a 12-5-6 record on their State Fair vacation, compared to a combined 5-4-2 combined start in those four campaigns. Here is how the team has performed before and during the string of away games.
Season: Record To Start Season (Pts. of Possible Pts.; % earned); Record During State Fair Road Trip (Pts.)
2005-06: 2-2-0 (4 of 8 possible; 50% earned); 2-0-1 (5 of 6; 83%)
2006-07: 0-1-1 (1 of 4; 25%); 4-3-1 (9 of 16; 56.3%)
2007-08: 1-0-1 (3 of 4; 75%); 3-1-2 (8 of 12; 66.7%)
2008-09: 2-1-0 (4 of 6; 66.7%); 3-1-2 (8 of 12; 66.7%)
2009-10: 2-4-1 (5 of 14; 35.7%); 0-1-0 (0 of 2; 0%, three games remain)
Total: 7-8-3 (17 of 36; 47.2%); 12-6-6 (30 of 48; 62.5%)
Clearly the team has fared (faired?) well during their escape from the RBC Center. Factored over an 82-game schedule, the team projects to just 77.4 points given their pre-State Fair production, compared to 102.5 they would accumulate based on the 62.5 percent point rate they've managed on their annual trip.
But this year is different from the other post-lockout road trips in that the Canes have dug themselves a deeper hole and have less of a trip to make it up. The seven games prior to the fair are the most since the lockout, while the four-game road trip is the shortest since the team had just three games in a row on the road in 2005-06. On top of that, Carolina already dropped the opener of their trip — the previously mentioned 2-0 blanking by the Devils — and are battling injuries up and down their lineup, the most significant being Eric Staal's apparent groin/lower body injury.
The good news? The Canes next three opponents are far from world-beaters. On Wednesday the Canes play the Islanders, one of two teams in the league (Toronto is the other) without a win (0-3-3). Two days later they are in Colorado to face the surprising Avs, who are 6-1-1 despite being the consensus pick to be the Western Conference's doormat this year. Finally, the 1-6-0 Wild will host the Hurricanes Saturday.
Records — both past and present — don't tell the whole story of Carolina's next three opponents.
For the first time in a long time, the Islanders have something to be excited about: John Tavares. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 Entry Draft has been even better than expected, proving wrong the skeptics who thought his average skating would keep him from being the prolific scorer he was in the OHL. With seven points (three goals, four assists) in six games, Tavares has delivered. Unfortunately, he can only play so much, and of the Isles' 13 goals, Tavares has factored in on seven of them. Also benefiting the Canes? They have dominated New York since the lockout, going 11-4-1, including taking all eight possible points last year.
Like the Isles, the Avalanche are playing nothing-to-lose hockey — only they're not losing. New coach Joe Sacco has benefited from a couple young contributors, including third overall pick Matt Duchene. But the biggest addition is new No. 1 goalie Craig Anderson. The Canes are familiar with Anderson, who played in the Southeast with the Panthers the past three seasons before getting a shot to be the top goalie on a rebuilding team. Anderson is best remembered for stifling Carolina in the final game of the 2007-08 season, stopping 26 of 28 shots in relief of an injured Tomas Vokoun to beat the Hurricanes and deny them a playoff berth.
Carolina is 1-2 against Colorado the past three seasons, but this Avalanche team is vastly different from any of those squads: no Joe Sakic, no Ryan Smyth. Despite the Avs' sterling record, the Canes need to look at the game as one they should win, seeing that they hold a talent edge in net, scoring firepower and defense.
The Wild, as I expected prior to the season, are struggling through their transition from Jacques Lemaire's trap system to Todd Richards' more up-tempo style. Minnesota has had only one home game in their first seven outings, and it's their only victory. Like the Islanders, the Wild have struggled to find second-tier scoring, getting five of their 15 goals from Andrew Brunette. And then there's the baffling struggles of one-time emerging star Brent Burns. Burns, who was an offensive weapon from the blueline two seasons ago, has regressed to troubling levels, managing just one assist so far and a dreadful minus-9 — tied for the worst in the league with the Islanders' Brendan Witt. Carolina is 1-2 against the Wild since the lockout.
After Saturday's game against Minnesota, the Canes get three days off before hosting the St. Louis Blues back at the RBC Center. At that time we'll know a lot more about the the 2009-10 Carolina Hurricanes. Can they manage five or six points and get their record at or close to .500? Will the team's scoring struggles continue, leaving Cam Ward — who has been one of the few bright spots early in the season — on his own to try and pull the Hurricanes out of their troubling tailspin? Or are more losses on the horizon — and if so, will Jim Rutherford begin to explore making roster changes by recalling the young guns from Albany or swinging a deal?
It may still be too early to call a stretch of games "pivotal," but the next three will go a long way in determining the direction of the Hurricanes.
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Good article Cory!
Hopefully some time on the road will allow the Canes to “gel”. Getting Pitts back certainly doesn’t hurt, thought he looked real solid against the Devils.
Obviously, we are missing the production of Staal. But, the absence of LaRose from the scoresheet concerns me just as much. Although he seems to still be hustling his arse off, he also seems to disappear from games for long stretches of time. Getting that all important “secondary scoring” can go a long way toward righting the ship. And would someone please remind Corvo to shoot the puck?
"He has all the virtues I dislike, and none of the vices I admire." -Sir Winston Churchill
Just Corvo?
How about all the Canes just shooting and the others being around the opposing net for a change?
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
Somehow thinking about chicken fried bacon (is there anything they won’t fry at the fair?) does not sit well before 8 in the morning.
While I wouldn’t call the season a wash if they don’t bring home 6 out of 8 points from this trip, I would expect some changes to be made. Not necessarily a trade, but perhaps some of the injured guys would be replaced by Rats until they are healthy. I completely agree with you Cory-Cam has to get some goal support otherwise he’s going to burn himself out trying to singlehandedly win games.
My Money is on putting guys on IR
until they are healthy.
It sends a message without going overboard.
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
-Cam has to get some goal support otherwise he’s going to burn himself out
and/or risk injury…
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 20, 2009 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Cam injury=season ender for the Canes, so I agree with the ladies for sure. Great article Cory. Going to be an interesting trip to be sure. While not as pivitol for the season, I do think this will be pivitol for the current roster. I can’t imagine what what will happen, like trades rather than call ups, but I see something looming on the horizon if this trip goes poorly.
You wouldn’t have a comparison of some of the guys that have been here and injured. Like Williams games played games miissed, same with Cole?
A
The Hockey Gods know not what they want
they are a capricious lot, rank with the smell of unanswered prayers and stained with the tears of failed dreams.
They deserve not our admiration nor our praise. They are incapable of doing anything but accepting blame or hijacking glory.
They are nothing.
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
It’s less about admiration or praise and more about fear that they will strike us all down. Don’t underestimate the power of a po’d hockey god to seek and enact vengenance. They may actually be women…
Heh, fear?
I live with 1 woman, 2 teenage girls and get hate mail from another teenage girl.
Do you think the hockey goddesses, if they are female, can do any worse?
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
man... thats pretty bad
I have 2 real sisters, one adopted sister, 3 female dogs, and a father who is a push-over when it comes to them all. When I stand up to them… its me against the Persians.
by packpigskinfan25 on Oct 20, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I forgot to mention
the foreign exchange student from Turkmekistan(sp?)…. ALSO a girl.
by packpigskinfan25 on Oct 20, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
yeppp
It has been an interesting life…
I swear i will NEVER talk in that baby voice to a baby or an animal though…. damn that irks me!!! I hear it WAY too much.
by packpigskinfan25 on Oct 20, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Heading into the season I had the Isles 14th in the East, and out West had the Wild at 13th and Avs last. Regardless of Colorado’s record (which will come back down to Earth eventually), these are three games that need to be circled as wins when the season starts.
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 20, 2009 10:18 AM EDT reply actions
Time to get well
This is the chance for them to make everything right on their season record, start to feel better about themselves, and settle into a rhythm.
Knock off these three teams and we’re 5-4-1 and at our 1.1+ points per game playoff pace.
We have seen the East’s hottest goaltenders and some fearsome teams, all while admittedly not hitting on all cylinders.
So, time for the statistics of the “forever .500” Canes to even themselves out.
Practice today
Twitter feed from a couple of sources reports all hands at practice this morning, with #12 looking as good (if not better) than he has looked all year.
Lines jumbled (Mo has once again rolled the bones) with Walker moved up with Cullen and LaRose. Brind’Amour centers Samsonov and Jokinen.
First and fourth lines remain unchanged.
Good news on all fronts
I think that Rod, Sammy and Jussi will work (and have worked) well together.
I like the Brind’Amour/Samsonov pairing, in particular. And, adding Jokinen to any line can only help that line.
Also, pairing the grit of Walker with Cullen/LaRose seems sound in theory. Not sure if we’ve seen this particular combination before.
I know Scott and Matty played together before-the “punch” was a product of that relationship. I believe these lines (with the exception of the 4th line) are very similar, if not identical, to those that were used during the majority of the playoffs.
Well somebody better do something. Me running around naked chanting while I sling a dead chicken around my head obviously didn’t work…..
;-)
A
I just ripped out.....
my mental eye from that image.
Thanks a lot and oh, it must’ve been a really cold day in mid August when that was taken, eh?
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
Tomorrow night you need to try two chickens… one obviously wasn’t enough
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 20, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Heres what Mo said about the reasoning behind the line change. Sounds good on paper.
Maurice made a few tweaks to the lines. Cullen was centering Scott Walker and Chad LaRose, with Samsonov on a wing on Rod Brind’Amour’s line with Jussi Jokinen.
“We’re working towards getting some guys comfortable together,” he said. “We need to get LaRose and Walker going a little bit. Just in terms of their ability to get out on the ice more, I think their energy level is something we need and we’re going to see them a little more on the ice.”
I just don’t want anymore hot tub stories out of Tripp. Is that too much to ask?
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 20, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
it better not be!!
you ladies wont let it go!!!!!! 8-()
by packpigskinfan25 on Oct 20, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
This just in.....
Rabid Hockey fans, known by the initials HMO2, LTD, Jenniwa, CG and Briney, all arrested from crashing a hot tub party at Cam Ward’s house.
“I got a message from who I thought was Coach Mo. It said come on over and we’re going to learn how to bond better with our fans”, an exasperated Cam Ward stated.
Elsewhere, River Rat phenom Brandon Sutter was found trying to escape the attentions of a yet un-identified young lady who was wearing a tattered black #16 Sutter Hurricanes sweater.
“He’s mine, get away from him”, she screamed as a female EMT smiled contemptuously at her kissing Sutter’s boo-boos as she and the others were led away from the chaotic scene.
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
Ok I admit it-that made me laugh out loud. In the library. I’m not getting dirty looks and may get jumped in the bathroom. Thanks LCD.
And I’m crushed that you believe they wouldn’t want to hang out with us. We are a fun group. :)
your welcome
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
*you're
whatever, it’s been a long day
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
Nah, still sick…
I wasn’t going to tell you this, but being Dr. Evil, I was actually the mastermind behind this event…
:D
Too bad it got busted up though. Didn’t plan on that one (I’m pretty new to this Dr. Evil thing, so bear with me here…)
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 20, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions
The others didn't
you were sick and competition. Hey sick is one thing, another woman when there’s only so many Canes’, especially the unmarried variety….
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
'cause you can get more "Fins"?
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
Just for the record….I wouldn’t mind going to jail for that!!!! ;)
Dr. Evil, what’s the next plan??? I’m in!!
Somehow that doesn’t surprise me one bit. But then again, I’d probably be sitting right there next to you. :D
I’m not sure if I’m more interested in the psychology or this shit turns me on, but man you all are some serious twisted puppy’s!!
Hockey sucks again tonight, watching Bones. CG implied I’m a cretin if I like Ghost Whisperer…
A
Things that turn Paladin6 on.....
crack of dawn
wind blowing
but hey, that’s true for 99.9% of all men
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
Don't let me do it.....
It would be, er, really interesting and Paladin6 would have it for wallpaper in his house.
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
It is odd.....
but that is different from the rest of us how?
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
No, you have NO idea how much it’s starting to scare me. Jen likes to send me unpublished photoshopped images…she’s got waaay too much time on her hands. LOL
Can you make that happen somehow? Add in Ruutu and Timmy and we’ll have everyone on board (or in the tub?).
finally
okay – now we’re talkin, CG. I’ve been waiting for Timmy and Ruu before I decided to dip my toe in.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 20, 2009 9:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
So – help me out here – I never read the 678 comments on the gamethread for the NJD game. I take it this subject was explored rather thoroughly there?
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 20, 2009 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m pondering the next plan…
I’ll keep y’all posted.
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 20, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe Mo read my post the other day saying essentially to screw worrying so much about the 1st line, and to get the lower lines playing better and more instead of Staal? Why worry about the chemistry of Staal’s line when 1) he’s injured and not playing 100%, and 2) it will just get screwed up again when Cole is back.
by Pirate Caniac on Oct 20, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
No it’s not HM. There shouldn’t have been any hot tub stories in the first place. But for that, I blame Chad and Matt. They should have known better.
It shouldn’t be too much to ask, but you know if he’s got anything he’ll let it slip out somehow… but yes, rosie and cully should certainly know better (and let that be a lesson to the rest of ‘em – don’t text Tripp anything!!)
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 20, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
If you want to hear Tripp being his most Tripp-y ever, listen to the Puck Drops podcast I put up on the C&C. It’s waist-deep in name dropping from across the NHL, oh, and did you know he once played goalie?
Makes you realize what Forslund is dealing with on a nightly basis. That poor poor man. (Not sure A Ward would be an improvement tho. Maybe Whitney?)
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 20, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Half the time, I don’t think John even listens to Tripp. I think both Whits and AWard would be just as bad in their own way. Entertaining for sure, but just as bad.
half the time I don’t think anyone listens to him, except for the one time you wish you wouldn’t have!!!
Yeah somehow those stories always find a way into my ears and then implant themselves premanently in my brain. I still can’t get the Staal-Tripp dinner sharing story out of my head.
I’m afraid to ask but, like watching a train wreck, I just can’t help it…?
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 20, 2009 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Last year, Tripp shared a story about how he ate half of Eric’s chicken parm at dinner the night before the game. I believe he even phrased it something like “I even ate half of his chicken parm off his dish”. He was very proud of it. John was like “ummm ok…” and quickly changed the subject. What disturbs me the most is that Eric let him.
Damn, I’m really not disturbed by much… ‘cause that doesn’t seem all that odd to me. I mean, it would depend on how, exactly the meal was shared, of course, but I’ve been known to pick things off of my friends plates if they’ll let me…
And let me tell you, in my parents house, I had to guard my plate with my fork to keep people from stealing my shrimp. I have been known to stab with fork when provoked by attempted shrimp theft…
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 20, 2009 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah but you’re a girl-it’s different with us for some reason. Two guys (one who clearly has a man crush on the other) in a restaurant sharing each other’s dinner? Then sharing it with the entire viewing audience? That’s weird.
Awesome!
LOL I love how we are all strategically placed next to our player of choice. I’m also kind of weirded out that there are two Cams. Poor Ruu doesn’t stand a chance-sandwiched in between LTD and HM. Did you add the bubbles?
And for the record, I had shirtless Sutter and Cam pics you could have used. No Tim though…
HOLY MOLY – that’s funny/ Love the bubbles!
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 21, 2009 7:12 AM EDT up reply actions
there are two cams cause he is MY avatar, send me those shirtless pics, I can always edit!!! LOL!!! A Shirtless Cam pic??? didn’t know you were holdin out on me, and I thought we were friends!! ;)
Maybe one day you can photoshop the Cup and the Son out of LTD’s avatar and have her planting her lips somewhere else.. just an idea…. ;)
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 21, 2009 7:16 AM EDT up reply actions
One-track mind, huh?
We know – you were just thinking she could photoshop Brandon into your avatar…
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 21, 2009 7:45 AM EDT up reply actions
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
LMAO that photo is hilarious. I didn’t even see myself in it the first time I looked.
And I do have a picture of Cam shirtless (which according to my flickr stats someone has already been viewing).
One of these days I really need to hone some photoshop skillz.
Let me guess,
the married ones will pair off with the married ones?
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
Hard to pair off with an odd number of people…
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 21, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
So who'd be the lucky girl
with two of them while the others only have one?
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
I think it would be a lucky guy,
eeewwww moldy cheese
gech!
hard to tell the good mold from the bad when you keep all the cheese in the same container as the stilton…
Sorry – was going to say… I’m still sick, I’ll sit this one out.
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 21, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry about the mold and the still being sick part.
I wonder who’s going to take Timmy…HM, LTD any interest? Or are you guys stuck on Ruutu?
I wasn’t really after Timmy anyways…
:)
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 21, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
One with a pulse?
(ducks)
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
Har har...
I might normally throw something, but right now none of them seem to have a pulse…
:)
I’m on the fence – I have several favorites but only one of them was in our tub…
I will say no more than that.
:D
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 22, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Come on you can’t leave us hanging like that. We’ve all shared our…ummm…favorites. It’s Brandon isn’t it? That’s why you won’t say anything.
Nope, not Brandon...
and no way can you bait me like that. I will disclose in my own good time…
:)
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 22, 2009 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually, it's not a hockey player
but rather a hockey fan she’s interested in.
(Hey, we can dream can’t we?)
;-D
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
Uh, nice try, but no. Sorry to dash your hopes…
:)
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 23, 2009 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Ah, the day is still young
I’ll have more time to work on this issue.
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
There’s only 4 guys. The Cam Ward in action is Jen’s avatar. So I guess LTD and HM have to share Ruutu. Although there really aren’t any losers…
Just us "real guys" out here.....
sniff, sniff, who will pine away after you ladies who are chasing the hot hockey gods…..
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
which according to my flickr stats someone has already been viewing
That would be me. I had to send it to Jen for something. :) Any way we could get one of Timmy?
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