Plenty To Work On: Canes at Flyers Game Preview
by Bob Wage on Oct 30, 2009 3:30 PM EDT
81 comments
The Carolina Hurricanes, (2-6-3), will be playing their first matinee game of the season as they take on the Philadelphia Flyers, (5-4-1), at the Wachovia Center at 1p.m. on Saturday, Halloween Day. This will be a rematch of the home opener for the Canes which they lost, 2-0, as Ray Emery picked up his only shutout so far this season.
While the Flyers have a better record than the Canes do, they are not happy campers. Coach John Stevens recently cancelled a previously scheduled day off and skated the team hard. Philadelphia has lost two games in a row, (Washington and San Jose), but beat Florida, 4-1 before that and outlasted Boston in OT four games earlier.
Like the Canes, they are battling injury problems as Simon Gagne (hernia) is out long term and Danny Briere is questionable for this game. Briere could not make it through practice today and left early.
The injuries are starting to get better for Carolina though as Erik Cole and Tim Gleason both returned to practice for the last two days. Cole could play this weekend depending upon the swelling in his leg. The winger broke a bone in his leg on October 3 and the prognosis was that he could return in 4-6 weeks. Tomorrow would be exactly four weeks since the injury.
Gleason is expected back next week Wednesday for the Florida game. If we receive any updates concerning either of those players, we will post it here.
Tuomo Ruutu will serve the final day of his three game suspension Saturday, but will be back in the lineup against San Jose on Sunday.
The Hurricanes enter the game with plenty to work on as they try to improve upon their current 13th position in the Eastern Conference.
They are allowing more goals per game, (3.5 average) than every team in the East except for Toronto and Florida. If they keep on the current pace, they will end up allowing 287 goals this season after allowing just 226 last year. (Remember that Anton Babchuk was the problem?)
Not only do the Canes need to shore up the defense, but their scoring is also down. They currently average 2.3 goals per game, which equates to 189 at year end. Last season the team scored 239.
The coaching staff pushed the boys hard this week as they worked on the little things, like skating and winning battles along the boards. They really need to improve at every aspect of the game, except maybe for penalty killing, which is currently at a respectable 10th place in the league at 82% efficiency.
Paul Maurice has been mixing and matching up the lines, but for now it looks like he will start the team out with the same groupings from Wednesday night. (If Erik Cole plays, of course this would change).
- Staal, Whitney, LaRose
- Cullen, Brind'Amour, Walker
- Jokinen, Sutter, Samsonov
- Yelle, Conboy, Kostopoulos
- Corvo, Wallin
- Pitkanen, Ward
- Alberts, Harrison
Cam Ward is expected to be in net while new father, Michael Leighton, might finally get a chance to start on Sunday. Leighton and his wife just had a baby girl last night, but he is traveling with the team. The backup is still looking for his first start this season.
Ray Emery will probably be in goal for the Flyers.
The Hurricanes have yet to win a road game this season and will hoping to get that monkey off their backs. (0-4-2). They are also in the midst of a seven game losing streak, the first of such since the 2002-03 season. They have not won a game since Friday, October 9.
This game will be televised locally by FS Carolinas. 99.9 The Fan will have the radio and online broadcast. The puck drops at 1 and we will have the Live Game Thread up and running at noon.
Broad Street Hockey has the latest and greatest about the Flyers.
((UPDATE)) Here is the post-practice press conference with Coach Maurice. Paul Maurice 10/30/09
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Well that’s just great, as if things werent bad enough, now we have a matinee game, The Canes do so well with those… any word on why Ruu had a no-contact jersey on today? JEEZ can Mo keep someone together on a line for more 30 seconds?
If Cole plays Saturday who goes down to the 4th line?
•Staal, Whitney, Cole
•Cullen, Brind’Amour, LaRose
•Jokinen, Sutter, Walker
•Yelle, Sammy, Kostopoulos
Add in Ruutu Sunday:
•Staal, Ruutu , Cole
•Cullen, LaRose, Whitney
•Jokinen, Sutter, Walker
Brind’Amour, Sammy, Kostopoulos
Not really sure about these AT ALL. Hard to figure who would go where. (And it doesn’t look too bad, does it?)
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
I didn’t think about Sunday, but those lines are probably right because it’s likely Cole and Ruutu will both play.
We will have another game preview up for Sunday’s game, which will be a special one for Ray Whitney.
GM of CanesCountry.com
Bob, have you heard ANYTHING about why Ruuty was in a yellow no contact jersey at practice today? Cole was as well, but that one didn’t come as a surprise (even though he was in red yesterday).
I was hoping all the gray ones were dirty. Since he’s not playing tomorrow anyway, maybe it was just to confuse the Sharks. (Is there some sort of binding rule about yellow jerseys?)
But seriously, the last thing we need is for him to strain something with those agressive drills at center ice.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 30, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I just listened to the entire Mo press conference after practice today and the subject never came up. (I did not attend myself, but get a recording in email)
GM of CanesCountry.com
I just uploaded the file, it is a bit longer than usual and has a couple of good tidbits.
http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/199292/maurice103009.mp3
GM of CanesCountry.com
Hey LTD – loved the tweet of Timmy “I don’t wear yellow” Gleason from today.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 30, 2009 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions
LTD, you have a real gift! I hope Jen sees this, it will make her day.
And I love that Timmy refuses to wear yellow. :)
What did you think of putting Sammi on the 4th line? That seems unprecedented…? Does he deserve that – with Yelle and TKO?
Or Walker was the one at the start of the season – but he’s got so much jump of late, they want him with more TOI, yes?
If not them then who? LaRose? Can’t see that. Or Sutter – again, defeats the purpose of having him here instead of Albany.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 30, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Samsonov is garbage, and deserves to be on another team. I blame him for manu of our offensive problems when he is on the ice. He overskates, plays with the puck way to much, and never takes the shot. He is awful, and deserves at most to play on the fourth line.
Hell, Sutter deserves to be on the third line more than he does (I know they are both there, but still, he sucks).
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
Sammy garbage? I think thats a little harsh, I know sometimes he looks more like a figure skater doing his olympic routine but he does have alot of skills. He does so much better when he shoots the puck but Sammy thinks ‘make open ice then pass’ and hopefully at some point they pull him aside and show him video footage of his game.
Well they seem to have not done that with him. Even you have to have seen many a play where his BS stick handling and stupid maneuvers either turn the puck over or he loses it back into the neutral zone and everyone has to get back onside. You cannot make excuses for the way he has played because it is hurting this team.
I do not think it is harsh at all. The entire team needs a reality check, and Samsonov is one of them. His play has been one of the true low points of this season.
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
Agreed......
Sammy is one of my favorites but…….you cannot deny the start is very bad. Bigger disappointment to me is Chad LaRose…seems like he has been invisible. Rarely touching the puck. What the Puck? Is it the contract? Upsetting.
I see sammy, I think russian ballet…
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 30, 2009 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Tights or no tights?
And he does take the fancy stuff to an extreme and for the life of me I can’t figure out why. He’s got a nice shot (when he decides to shoot).
He wasn’t bad in the playoffs, esp’ly the Boston series, IIRC…? I think it’s an effort thing more than a skill thing.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 30, 2009 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions
He goes through these long periods of time when he just stickhandles and won’t shoot. Then there are times when he shoots (and scores) frequently-like the Boston series where he was very good.
I wonder if when the goals don’t come for him or his teammates (and as a result confidence goes down), he starts to over stickhandle.
I think to some degree that he “over stick handles” because (a) he can and (b) we do NOT make ourselves available for passes from teammates.
Just do not move properly WITHOUT the puck. Too much standing and watching.
So, he waits, waits, passes.
That’s true. But then again, I’ve seen him pass up open shots quite a few times.
And you can argue that shooting a low percentage shot doesn’t do any good, but when you’re having trouble scoring, getting fancy can often do more harm than good.
You could also argue that shooting a low percentage shot does do good if there is someone there crashing the net/looking for a garbage goal…
Now if there’s no one there… (sigh)
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 30, 2009 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions
What is this crashing the net thing you speak of? It’s a foreign concept to me (and, I am assuming, the team).
Here, it doesn't just help
it’s a freakin’ pre-requisite
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
This is true, he is a playmaker more than anything and its hard to open up passing lanes when your teammates arent moving. We could throw just about everyone under the bus at this point so I’m not sure why Sammy is taking the heat. The more I ponder the start to the season the less worried I am. All it will take is one game where they skate hard and see results. We’ll see what kind of impact Cole has in his return, he has the ability to lighten the mood in the room and hopefully everyone can feed off of his energy on the ice.
you didn’t just go there…
I was going to answer ‘no tights’ but then I thought where that could be taken…
fully clothed and nothing even remotely tight, PLEASE!
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 30, 2009 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh come on, I had to. I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t go there.
I take it by your reaction that Sammy isn’t your favorite? ;)
yeah, I guess you could scratch him off my list…
:)
There you go – I gave you a clue!
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 30, 2009 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Did I ever tell you that I play hockey too?
Okay, I can’t skate backwards, turning is an issue and if I hit the puck with the stick it was because I was aiming at something else.
I wish I grew up in a place that had 4 seasons, not just 1.5. We have gray and brown-gray in Los Angeles
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
I did grow up in a place with 4 seasons and the one was downright cold! I used to skate up until I was about 10, but then I quit ’cause my feet always got too cold.
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 31, 2009 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions
It wasn't until I moved to Michigan
up by Alpena and Rodger’s City that I learned what cold was.
I remember waking up to -45F one morning and having to start up the car and go to work.
Yes, that is where I learned about hockey and loved it.
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
I think we’ll see just who the coaches trust (and maybe who they feel aren’t working hard enough) based on the line-ups the next few days.
I don’t know what decisions they will make and the way Mo has been acting the past few games, the lines may look entirely different each period. I think that, at the very least, Sutter has earned a third line spot. I’d be very disappointed if they sent him back to Albany or scratched him with so many other guys still not giving it their all.
Why not LaRose?
That guy has shown me nothing so far this season….where is the effort…the animal that we are used to seeing?
It has to be either larose or walker on the fourth line. Putting Sammy there, with his skill and finesse, would make it more of an additional third line. Not that such a strategy wouldn’t work. That’s essentially what lavi ran the cup year, but it doesn’t work with this group of guys that is trying to win by being more physical.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
by C-Leaguer on Oct 30, 2009 6:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
?
Would you think if both games are lost this weekend…even if both teams are very good…tht, tht cud determine possible trades or anything? Or wud you think with RU and colesy not playing but then playing in the games after San jose, nothing to be done? Trade wise
by RU4RU on Oct 30, 2009 4:06 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Oh and this is really random, but does anyone else see 2-6-1-3 in the sidebar for the Canes’ record? Since when did the league bring back the tie? :D
I just removed it from the interior pages. It was correct on the main page. Don’t ask me the difference, I have no idea. I just work here!
I am assuming that the interior page record widget was old, for some reason. Thanks for pointing it out to me. I knew the main page record was okay.
GM of CanesCountry.com
I hope Emery is in net, he hasn’t looked very good in the games I’ve seen him in. His footwork and puck tracking aren’t where they should be.
Did you hear about his supposed temper tantrum just before the game vs the Caps? Apparently smashed his TV on the way to the locker room? Sounds like he’s self-distructing already. (or self -distracting?)
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 30, 2009 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Lavi has two more years left on his deal. mo just signed a three year deal. No way this team pays three coaches over the next two years. Plus the coach was just changed less than a year ago. Those moves start to lose efficacy if made too often. The team is a mess, but I don’t see mo going anywhere any time soon.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
by C-Leaguer on Oct 30, 2009 6:26 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Gotta miss those ex-Canes
And Keith Aucoin (who looks very different-I almost didn’t recognize him) is on the PP with AO, Mike Green and Semin for the Caps.
Oh wait-he just got the secondary assist on their goal.
I’m watching the Pens got to pull for a Staal thats actually playing ( by playing I mean Jordan shows up every night).
I wonder if they would be interested in swapping Staals. We could even give them first dibs on Parker when he turns pro.
Maybe, but then does Pittsburgh have an NBA franchise?
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 30, 2009 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I hadn’t thought of that (they don’t have one). Since he’s a Staal, I can’t imagine him playing anything other than hockey. There’s a lot to be said for genetics and I don’t think that kid will be able to outrun his, no matter how tall he may be.
I’m just repeating what Eric said when they asked about Parker. He commented that this area was a great place to learn basketball…
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 30, 2009 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL I know. :) And if P.Staal is really tall and without a backyard rink to learn on, we may just see him on the hardwood in the RBC instead of the ice.
Oh please, I'd never wish NCSU on anyone for roundball
Duke, KU or UNC.
NCSU? Come on.
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
If we switched Staal's Eric would lead the league in scoring while playing with Crosby and Malkin
"He has all the virtues I dislike, and none of the vices I admire." -Sir Winston Churchill
True, but not an excuse for being invisible on too many nights.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
by C-Leaguer on Oct 31, 2009 10:25 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Complain
shut up complaining ya’ll we have enough problems like when are we going to finally win another game. We have to blame the whole team for not winning, not just one or two players. So all you moaner’s and groaner’s just put a lid on it. Let’s give a little encouragement and shut up that moaning .. Thanks and you all have a wonderful day and let’s all pray for a win.
robert
So you whine about it? Nice!!
You can always change the channel.
I will agree that this is systemic and not just a player or two. I’ve been installing some windows and glassing in my porch and have been listening to NHL LIve and the like. You don’t really hear much of squat about the Canes.
I have not wanted to post much since the last game. Mostly because I was in shock at how pathetic they really were.
Now I’d like to point a few fingers.
First finger goes right at Rod. While I think his play has improved as a captain he is failing in biblical type proportion. This team has no clear leader, no emotional leader and many times doesn’t even know where they are.
Rod should be replaced as captain immediatly.
Next up is MO. I’m tired of this line change shit. He and JR rolled the dice on this roster, time to pick some lines and let them either learn to succeed or keep failing. You have to keep the lines and pairings consistant to get consistnt play. I think the guys a good coach, time to show it.
Mo needs to kick ass and take names, bench laziness and apathy, promote ahealthy positive attitude.
Outside of Cam Ward, Timmy G., Pit’s, Ruutu, Rosie, Sutter, Ray and Cullen, the rest of this team has played like MItes. So the third finger goes to most of the team. I can hardly believe these guys can go home and look in the mirror and see a proffessianal hockey player.
Time to get back to simple hockey and build from there. This season will be a wash in the very near future if change doesn’t happen fast.
I really enjoy going to games and will be at another in November. The win or loss is no where near as important as seeing the effort of a squad that cares. You spend alot of money at a game and I don’t feel this team has earned our money, our respect, or even this qwhining and bitching that boils down to loyalty to a dissappointing club.
The Candy Canes need to step up to at least semi sweet, dammit.
A
Only problem I have with that is including larose in the group that has worked. He’s been a bit invsible and that’s not a game he can play and be effective in the nhl. He hasn’t been as checked out as some of the players but he needs to go up that one more step every night.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
by C-Leaguer on Oct 31, 2009 10:30 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I agree mostly. I felt he has put in some great effort here and there and just has been kept off the sheet. Rosie is invisible if he isn’t flat out 100% all the time. I think he’s maybe in the 90% area most nights, but that is alot better than the rest of the crew, so I threw him a bone and included him.
A
Cane's
I am starting to 2nd guess the whole Hurricane’s organization.From JR all the way down to the player’s. wondering if they have the heart and desire to make a run at it this season. Unfortunately it seems right at the present everything they do is wrong. Can’t score can’t play defense. I mean what is left???
robert
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