Leighton's Last Stand: Wild at Canes Game Preview
by Bob Wage on Nov 15, 2009 12:51 AM EST
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PrintCarolina Hurricanes head coach Paul Maurice announced on Saturday that backup goalie Michael Leighton would be starting Sunday's game against the Minnesota Wild. Leighton, who has only started two games out of the club's last 65, (including last year's playoffs), has been itching to get a chance.
When Cam Ward fell to injury against the Blue Jackets, many assumed that Leighton would get the call to fill the void. He had been a positive team guy up to that point, he worked hard everyday in practice, and supposedly paid his dues. He deserved a shot, right?
But management signed cast off Manny Legace, who had year-to-date worse stats in the AHL, (2-2-1-1 GAA 3.21 SV% 898), than River Rats goalie, Justin Peters, (6-4-2 GAA 2.14 SV% .924). The signing made sense for insurance, but it was surprising that the brand new goalie got the call to start the last two games over Leighton, who had been waiting in the wings, loyally, for so long.
To say that the coaching staff does not have much confidence in the backup would seem to be an understatement.
So obviously it goes without saying, this game is huge for Michael Leighton. Not only is he now fighting for playing time, he's fighting for a spot on this team. When Cam Ward gets healthy enough to return to action, the club will need to send someone to the minors.
Will it be Leighton or Legace? They each can determine their own destiny. Legace had his chance and now it's Leighton's turn. Will he be able to take advantage?
The Hurricanes will be looking for a better start on Sunday afternoon than they have had recently. Both first periods in the previous two home games were flat, as they took multiple penalties, gave up multiple goals, and could not get anything going on offense. (Total of five shots on goal in 40 minutes of play).
It seems like everyone in the NHL is aware of their 14 game losing or winless streak, whatever you prefer to call it. Somehow, someway, the team needs to rally together and figure out a way to win a game.
It will not be easy considering their injuries. Eric Staal and Cam Ward remain out. Stephane Yelle is still questionable. Chad LaRose missed practice Saturday, but he is not expected to miss the game.
I would look for Maurice to stay with seven defensemen again this game because a couple of the blueliners are nursing injuries. Aaron Ward is not at 100% and Tim Gleason has been limping around.
The coach should stick with the same lines. They were showing some decent chemistry in the second and third periods on Friday night.
- Sutter, Whitney, Cole
- Cullen, Jokinen, Ruutu
- Brind'Amour, Samsonov, LaRose
- Walker, Kostopoulos
The defense will be mixed and matched but the team will probably try to stay with the Corvo/Gleason and Pitkanen/Wallin pairings much of the time.
The Wild come to town with a two game losing streak and an overall record of 7-11-1. This will be the final game of a three game Southeast road trip for them. They dropped games to the Lightning and Capitals earlier in the week.
They are led in scoring by their new captain, Mikko Koivu. Vezina candidate Nicklas Backstrom is always tough in goal. Eric Belanger always likes to do well against his former team.
The game starts at 1:30 and will not be on local television. Watch on Center Ice or listen to Chuck on 99.9 The Fan. We will be starting the Open Game Thread here at 1ish and I will be reporting from the game.
You can check out more Wild information at Hockey Wilderness.com.
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I hope Leighton does well
I really like the guy, his play prior to Mo’s arrival was pretty good (for a backup), but his confidence must be non-existent now after sitting on the bench forever. 2 games of 65, wow.I hope he can have a good game and shows what’s in him. It may indeed be his last stand.
Even though he was the victim of a bad bounce among his three goals allowed, I wondered if Legace would get the hook after the first Friday night. When he didn’t, that told me all I needed to know. Leighton pretty much needs a win or spectacular performance vs. the Wild or this “competition” is probably over — which is stunning when you consider Manny’s stats (3.87 GAA, .855 S%). That’s not to say he’s played as bad as the stats reflect (he hasn’t), but you generally don’t win a competition with numbers like that.
Why do they have such little confidence in him?
When Cam was injured for a few games last year I seem to remember Leights doing fairly well in his role of filling in – during those games that including the SO win over the Sharks? Wasn’t he fairly solid in that game?
My memories are different. He always seems to overplay direct rushes, slow on anticipating movement around the net, poorly positioned to stop shots thru traffic. Not useless, mind you. Better than J.Grahame. But not what I was expecting from his impressive AHL season.
Why he doesn’t play more ? Mystery to me. My guess is that he looks bad in practice. Consider that’s his chance to impress and he obviously hasn’t or they would have played him.
Ronnie, Mo, and Tom see him every day and they will not play him.
by drifterscape on Nov 15, 2009 10:33 AM EST up reply actions
Have not heard specifics about Staal other than he could return to skating on his own this week.
GM of CanesCountry.com
Staal's injury
Nobody is saying. But from the grimaces he was showing it looked like a shoulder; and if not a shoulder, it looked like ribs.
Anybody know the stats on if the team likes afternoon games or not?
I want to say they are not kind, but can’t find it.
I’m not a fan of Leight’s, but it sure does seem like the deck is stacked against him. It’s seems akin to trying out to be a Matador with a ball and chain around your ankle and both arms stapled to your back.
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
The Wild have (has?) three Finns on their roster as well, so there will be a lot of sisu in the building today.
And speaking of sisu, nice article from Chip this morning on our Ruuty (I’m so proud).
And another article on how fans are trying to keep the faith in tough times.
Hockey fans sad but not seething
Sisu
Both of those are agreat LTD. Thanks for them. (Ruu might get an A today?)
So I'm guessing this would be "bottom"?
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 15, 2009 9:24 AM EST up reply actions
Ha! Not sure if my tired old heart could take that one. And they’re in their black jerseys today too. And I hope they’re keeping him away from the Red Bull. Between all the press and the chance to play against his BFF/Team Finland linemate Mikko, he’s liable to shatter some glass. I’m taking an extra memory card just in case.
Sisu
by Jamie Kellner on Nov 15, 2009 10:58 AM EST up reply actions
While we're celebrating the return of the real Ruutu
Here’s from a write up from Branecky late yesterday:
On an individual effort, Tuomo Ruutu led the Canes with nine hits on Friday night, the most recorded by any Carolina player in a single game this season. Erik Cole was no slouch himself, as his eight hits tied the previous mark set by Tim Gleason on October 6.
It’s no coincidence that Ruutu posted that number as part of a strong offensive game that also saw him break the Hurricanes’ lengthy power play drought with his third goal in two games and post a game-high six shots on goal.
"We’re looking for that fight, and he’s delivered it," said Maurice of Ruutu, who seems to have shaken the effects of a lingering upper-body injury that hampered him following his return from a recent suspension. "Everybody individually has to look at their own performances and gauge exactly how their battle level is, and he’s got no one that can question how hard he’s played."
BTW – I think it’s time to change my sign-off.
So I'm guessing this would be "bottom"?
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 15, 2009 10:05 AM EST up reply actions
does mo just beat the confidence out of them?
he seems to be the type to completely parch? them of any confidence with reverse psychology that backfires. i’m surprised sutter still is positive and excited. rutuu seems to be by his own will.
Anyone know of any web sites that may have a feed of the game?
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Nov 15, 2009 12:00 PM EST reply actions
I’ll answer my own question This web site has the Wild feed for the game for those who do not have Center Ice
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Nov 15, 2009 12:06 PM EST up reply actions
And the survivor of "Leighton's Last Stand"...
…is Leighton, in my opinion.
Sure, his numbers don’t look so good (0.875 SV% / 4.00 GA), but he’s “guilty with explanation” on all four goals. Slightly juicy rebounds on a couple, but after all he’s principally responsible for the first stop, and that stop was made. Clean-up in the crease area by the remainder of the team is appreciated, whenever possible.
I thought he played a very sound positional game and seemed calm and confident throughout. That’s important for a team confidence as fragile as ours.
Good on the offense for finding four goals to support him and get us to the overtime/shootout.
On the curve of progress upward (one-goal losses > OT-losses > OT victory), this was a good data point, despite the damn-near same level of competition.
He lives to play another day. Jury still out on which goalie leaves Thunderdome alive.
I thought he played a very sound positional game and seemed calm and confident throughout. That’s important for a team confidence as fragile as ours.
On this point I am gonna take the exact opposite stance. I thought Leighton was swimming in his crease today.
Oh well, W is a W.
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