Hurricanes at Islanders, Game Preview
by Bob Wage on Oct 21, 2009 11:34 AM EDT
75 comments
The Carolina Hurricanes visit Nassau Coliseum tonight for a contest with the New York Islanders in a matchup between two teams hoping to turn their early seasons around. The Islanders are 0-3-3 and are still looking for their very first win, but they are performing pretty much as expected. Their lineup is filled with youthful inexperience and their salary expense reflects what you see on the ice. (16 million in cap space available).
The Hurricanes on the other hand were selected by many to be a playoff team. But so far, management can not feel like they are getting their money's worth out of this collection of veteran players. (1.5 million in cap space). Currently they find themselves in 12th place in the conference and fourth place in the division. They have yet to win a game on the road, (0-3) and they are riding a three game losing streak.
Something has to give tonight for one of these teams.
(Household name) Matt Moulson leads the Islanders with four goals and three assists while first overall pick of last year's draft, John Tavares has three goals and four assists.
Mark Streit is always dangerous and is one of the better scoring defensemen in the league.
The Hurricanes are led by Jussi Jokinen, (2G 3A), Ray Whitney, (3g 1A), and Tuomo Ruutu, (1G 3A).
Speaking of Whitney, tonight will be his 1,000th game in the NHL. That is quite an accomplishment for a player who was placed on waivers and bought out at certain points in his career. Dave Droschak has an excellent article about him here.
The Hurricanes swept the season series with the Islanders last season and have won 8 of the last 10 meetings.
But Carolina has had some much publicized scoring problems so far this season. The team is 28th in the league, averaging just two goals per game, and 29th in the league with a 11.1% powerplay.
The good news is that several banged up players seem to be healthy, or at least they were healthy enough to join practice yesterday. Eric Staal missed about a week of practice. Joni Pitkanen has missed most of the season. Several other players took a day or two off earlier this week, but on Tuesday, every player was on the ice except for Erik Cole and Michael Ryan, two players with longer term issues.
Coach Paul Maurice has tweaked the lines a bit. Look for them to start out like this:
- Staal, Whitney, Ruutu
- Cullen, LaRose, Walker
- Brind'Amour, Jokinen, Samsonov
- Yelle, Kostopoulos, Conboy
It is expected that Joni Pitkanen will play, but I'm not sure what the defensive pairings will be. Aaron Ward, who left the game early in New Jersey with an upper body concern, was back on the ice Monday and Tuesday and looked fine in practice.
Cam Ward will make his eighth straight start in net and has a career 9-2 record against the Islanders.
Martin Biron has gotten the bulk of minutes so far on the Island and will probably get the nod tonight, but that is not confirmed. Biron is 9-4-3 lifetime against the Canes. Chip Alexander has confirmed that Dwayne Roloson will get the nod for the Islanders.
Maurice has been critical of the team recently and called them "slow with what they do". Will they be quicker to the puck tonight? The game will be broadcast by FS Carolinas and 99.9 The Fan starting at 7.
This will be the first of three games in four nights for the Hurricanes and they really need to start things off on a positive note. Will they be able to?
For the latest about the Islanders, check out Lighthouse Hockey.
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How long does JR wait for the team to perform before he starts a firesale of our FA’s?
Still not a crook!
Y’don’t think it’ll be Mo who’ll go? He said he didn’t buy a house here in NC – just leasing…
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 21, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh, that’s very possible too. I just think the way the team in structured right now we could become sellers very quickly if JR so desires. If he feels the season is lost we can dump some guys who are up for contracts next year, bring up the young’uns and start the future sooner rather than later.
Still not a crook!
Here we go, again. Eight games into the season and we are discussing cleaning house. I am glad you folks aren’t my manager because if my manager told me to take a hike every time I put in consecutive bad days at my employment I would probably end of up looking for a job about every month.
I am glad Samsonov is back with Brindy because I think they compliment each other very well and for other reasons I think he fares better with 3rd line options.
by hotchipsnsalsa on Oct 21, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Wonder why Mo kept him with Staal so long? I can’t remember the lines when Cole was in, vs PHI and BOS. Was it Whitney or Sammi as the speedster?
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 21, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Seems like a long time ago, but I think it was
Ruutu – Staal – Cole
Whitney – Cullen – LaRose
Samsonov – Brindy – Jokinen
Yelle – KO – Walker
by hotchipsnsalsa on Oct 21, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
The first line for sure…
the other ones look right too
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 21, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
For the last pre-season game and vs Philly wasn’t it:
Whitney – Staal – Cole
Jokinen – Cullen – Ruutu
Samsonov – Brindy – LaRose
Yelle – KO – Walker
????
by outlander_caniac on Oct 21, 2009 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey, I’m with you, just thinking out loud. I’ll be cheering the guys on regardless, I just think we’re in a good position even if things don’t work out as well this season.
Whitney and Staal is a good pair and I also like Samsonov with Brindy. Whatever it takes to wake up the hockey sticks!
Still not a crook!
I hear C4
gets people’s attention.
Not that I have any…..
or know where to get any…..
or know people who know people…..
jus’ sayin…..
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
Well Hotchips, I hope your not a neurosurgeon, ‘cause wouldn’t make as much as Staal and if I were your manager I’d fire anyone that wasn’t perfect. Talk is cheap, proffessional athletes are not, if they don’t give 100% effort 100% of the time they should feel the pressure of trade, benching or a good ass kicking. So from my way of thinking some spineless manager that can’t get results is exactly what I don’t want.
It’s still only half a beer in that glass, but there are two valid ways of looking at it.
A.
Nope, I am not a neurosurgeon. I am the chicken feeder down at the chicken factory. And firing anybody that is not perfect seems a little harsh.
by hotchipsnsalsa on Oct 21, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed.........
What kind of fans are these people. No patience in life…..no patience with their team. It is early………let them play before you throw the baby out with the bath water………………….
Goalie for Islanders will be Dwayne Roloson according to Ice Chip, tweeting from the lovely Nassau Coliseum (hard to believe you can get a cellphone or internet signal through that much concrete )
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
Roloson was with the Oilers in June 2006
Game 1, CAR vs EDM
Roloson went out with a knee injury in game 1 and didn’t reappear in the series.
Interesting re-match from a long-time ago. He turned 40 last week.
(Not sure we have faced him since 06 – NYI signed him in July 09)
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 21, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
He would have played with Samsonov in 06?
So – out of curiosity, where can you find that stat (lifetime record vs )? I was looking through his game log and only found one game (with 8 mins TOI and no decision) vs the Canes since June 06. I’d be curious to know what has he done against us “lately”?
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 21, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
While I was there I skipped thru the Isles to see who fares well vs. the Canes. Freddy Meyer is 4-4-8 in eight career games, including a plus-7.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3307;_ylt=ApqEQLk1huFuHdpQED01boNivLYF
Of course, Jon Sim always kills us:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1883;_ylt=An6VGx9r78khtxJ.UyH7wOxivLYF
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 21, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Ahhh … but Sim is sitting:
Scott Gordon has heard your plea and it looks like Jon Sim will sit. Bigger yet, Phase 1 of the Rob Schremp Hockey experiment has concluded. It appears Jeff Tambellini will join Nielsen in returning to the lineup, so Schremp will get his first scratch since the home opener. Schremp’s tally so far:
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 21, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Who took out Joni last year? ( I think all I can remember is the Doug Weight hit).
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 21, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Didn’t he just get checked into the boards awkwardly? I wanna say Trent Hunter … but that’s a total guess.
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 21, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Check out the logo for the Canes…surely they’re not as bad as Boston about this Whaler thing?
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
Maybe we should start running a Kansas City Scouts logo …
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 21, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I like it
Note to Harwood: use this for the gamethread.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 21, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
except the the Scouts were the former team of the New Jersey Devils.
Unless we are insinuating the future Islanders team will be located in Kansas City, which is a real possibility.
I have a better idea for the game thread. The worst logo in the history of sports.
GM of CanesCountry.com
That’s what i was going for Bob. … The KC theme.
What do you have against fish sticks?
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 21, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I guess re-naming them the Kansas City Scouts would be more appropriate than the Kansas City Islanders :-)
that logo just cracks me up
GM of CanesCountry.com
Hey … if Los Angeles can keep Lakers from Minnesota, and Utah can keep Jazz from New Orleans ….
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 21, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Ever hear good Jazz at a Mountain Resort?
Jazz fits in with the mountains.
Hell, good Jazz fits in everywhere.
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,
Jazz is GREAT!
Minnesota has a great Jazz scene. Monterrey Jazz Festival is fantastic. Can’t wait to get back there.
But then again I also like AC/DC, Rammstein, Pink Floyd, Rush, Muse, Big n Rich, Garth Brooks, Vivaldi, Bach, Mozart, Jesus Jones, U2, Black Sabbath, Fleetwood Mac, Styx, Queen, Thelonius Monster, Kansas, Brooks and Dunn and a lot more!
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
Jeez, you’re almost as musically schizophrenic as I am…
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 21, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I like different music for differnt times.....
when I’m relaxing and reading, something light, classical, jazz, techno or light rock.
when I’m driving I-40 in the Camaro which has a nice big 350 and the HP to get up and move, something LOUD.
Other times have different “musical soundtracks”.
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
Ain’t the monster a Monk? I’m pretty much along those lines just jazz makes me tense more often than noit that chaotic no conformation thing. I’ve tried playing the guitar for over 20 yrs and understand a vast amount more than I can play, I just don’t feel the 9ths and beat/lack of of jazz. I do like some of the fusion stuff.
So what do you think Jennifer Baten does now? She is an awsome guitarist that found a nasty HIGH paying gig. She was with a few other folks back in the 80’s when I was just starting out and they would put out lessons on music and playing, was the best info I ever found in one place.
A
Maybe we should start running a Kansas City Scouts logo …
Actually, we already use that one for the Devils. Or sometimes this one … and this beauty.
And the Coyotes get this treatment, the Avalanche this. And so on… (I don’t ignore the warts of our own past, either). It’s hardly a knock against Canes hockey, though — I’m not one of those anti-southern expansion whiners, and I happily felt vindication for the great atmosphere shown during the 2006 run to the Cup.
However, I also have a lasting love for the history of the game, which includes Whalers, Jets, Nordiques and jerseys untouched by RBK’s foul hands.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
It's OK...
I sent them a correction. =)
by Raccoon Fink on Oct 21, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I loved it, too!
Some teams get the retro treatment too often because I’ve yet to snap a good close-up image of their new crest in sewn form. That one’s definitely going into the bank for next time. :)
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
Who'll be at the Cary Ale House for the Cool Bar besides myself?
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
We were thinking.....
I know a logical impossibility, about November 7th at the Cary Ale 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
I can’t go for that game anymore… My mom’s coming into town and is an avid hockey non-fan
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 21, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
We could get her a ticket to some show.....
“Paranormal Activity” should still be playing.
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'll be there.....
I’ll be the guy in the Hurricane sweater
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
Bob H, are you going to be at the Cool Bar tonight?
If so, I’d like to meet you.
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
For like the sixth game in a row, I expect a nice response game from the Canes to get this season on track.
/sigh
GOOD LUCK with that
Canes are good for letting other teams break their reconds. Since the NYI are on a big time losing streak (actually I don’t think they have won yet this year) it will most likely be broke tonight. Canes have a few more games to lose before some changes are made.
I have the same thought,
everytime I see my youngest.
This time will be better.
/sigh
I expect the Canes to win the Cup before the other happens.
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
Chris Botta has a nice piece about Cam Ward on Fanhouse
http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2009/10/21/cam-ward-the-best-goalie-hardly-anyone-knows/
GM of CanesCountry.com
that is a good one – I like the comments from (and about) Brodeur. Does Brodeur have this kind of “connection” with any other of the young goalies?
I remember from that TV special on Brodeur that was on NHL Network when he won his 552nd (or whatever it was) game to take over Roy’s record last year, they portrayed his (very engrandized) story to look like Roy was THE Canadian goalie for so many years and then the torch was passed to Brodeur, who carries the mantle now. It was not just the position on the Olympic Team Canada, but almost as a national super-hero (I’m not making fun of it – hockey is just a different thing in the Canada than it is here).
Question: Do you get the sense that Marty would like to see Cam as his “successor”? I’ve had that in the back of my mind as they select the Vancouver team…
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 21, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for posting and also for retweeting. That was an awesome article. And I’m also of the understanding that Brodeur isn’t free and loose with his compliments.
It’s interesting that in the most current Canes promo they use “reverence” as the word that best describes Cam Ward. That’s certainly a word I use for him all the time.
I heard Forslund call him the “Warden” the other night during the Pens game. I like that too – at least against the other teams leading hotshots.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 21, 2009 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Cam is one of those rare, franchise changing players. Even more so than Staal in my opinion. He could very easily carry the franchise on his back much like Broduer did for Devils. Let’s just hope we are able to provide him with a team that is capable of getting him the multiple Cups and recognition he deserves.
Still not a crook!
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