Powerplay Woes Continue as Canes Fall to Habs, 3-2 in Shootout
by Bob Wage on Nov 18, 2009 1:30 AM EST
74 comments
The Carolina Hurricanes rebounded from a slow start, took the lead in the second period, but allowed a game tying goal in the game's final three minutes and eventually fell to the Montreal Canadiens, 3-2 in a shootout on Tuesday night in Montreal. The team had two powerplay chances in the third period and a very favorable 4 on 3 chance in overtime, but failed to capitalize. They ended up 0-5 on the powerplay for the game.
The loss leaves the Canes winless on the road this season. They are the only team in the NHL who has yet to win a single game on the road.
The Canes fell behind about five minutes into the contest when Max Pacioretty slipped a puck by Michael Leighton, who was heavily screened on the play. Neither team really seemed to be able to mount much offense as the Canes managed just six shots on goal while the Habs had five.
In the second period Carolina scored on a couple of prime chances, even though they only had another six shots on goal. Ray Whitney passed to a streaking Brandon Sutter who tipped the puck past Carey Price. Sutter has been superb since his assignment to Raleigh and now has five goals in 11 games.
About three minutes later, Matt Cullen found an open Jussi Jokinen and the red hot Finn buried a one-timer, giving the visitors the lead.
While Montreal controlled play quite a bit after that, the Carolina defense and goaltending was up to the challenge. Michael Leighton looked like he was gaining confidence after every save, but had to leave midway through the second period with a lower body injury. Manny Legace came in his stead and continued the solid play in net.
At the end of the second period, the Habs had 21 shots on goals to just 12 for the Canes.
In the third period, with the help of two powerplay chances, Carolina matched Montreal shot for shot, (13 shots each), but the Habs seemed to have more jump and they tied the score with just 2:46 left on the clock.
The Hurricanes had a prime opportunity to end the game in overtime when Joe Corvo was knocked down with a high stick with just two minutes left. There is a lot of open ice to work with when a team has a four on three chance, but the Habs stopped it with the help of Carey Price pushing and shoving everyone out of the crease, and the game went to a shootout.
Manny Legace was solid in the shootout and did not allow a single goal until Maxim Lapierre scored on the sixth shot. None of the Hurricanes shooters scored, although Matt Cullen made a beautiful move in the Hurricanes sixth position, but failed to lift the puck into the net.
Give credit to Carey Price. He looked strong and confident between the pipes.
The shooters for the Canes were, Tuomo Ruutu, Jussi Jokinen, Rod Brind'Amour, Sergei Samsonov, Bryan Rodney, and Cullen. After the game, Paul Maurice was asked about some of his choices and he said that he went with the percentages. He defended his choice of Brind'Amour by saying that the captain has done well throughout his career. But it was mysterious why he left a red hot Brandon Sutter on the bench along with Ray Whitney, an experienced shootout performer who has done well in past.
All in all, this is a game that the team probably feels like they should have won. But they sat back a bit too much at times and allowed the Canadiens to control play, and that is asking for trouble with just a one goal lead. That, and their complete and total incompetence on the powerplay, were the primary reasons for the loss.
The Hurricanes will play Toronto at home on Thursday night for a rematch of the humiliating "Battle of the Basement" series, to see who is the worst team in the NHL. They lost to the Leafs last time.
Game Notes:
- One can not say enough about Brandon Sutter who continues to shine all over the ice. He finished with a goal, had three shots on goal, was a plus +1, and had over 20 minutes of ice time.
- Rod Brind'Amour picked up another minus -1 and remains in last place in the league in that category. (-17). He had zero shots on goal for the game.
- For the record, Brind'Amour is 4-10 in shootouts lifetime and went 1-2 last year, which is not bad.
- The Hurricanes finished with 24 hits, led by Andrew Alberts with six.
- Chad LaRose led the team with six shots on goal followed by Bryan Rodney with five.
- Joe Corvo had five blocked shots, high for both teams.
- Paul Maurice sounded happy with the effort in the post-game interview. "We played a very good road game, a very smart game", he said. The coach also praised Price for his part. "Give the goaltender credit, he made some fine saves".
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What Choosing Brind'Amour on the Shootout Says About the Coaching
When got up this morning, I still have the horrible vision of a beatdown Brind’Amour limping at a snail’s pace toward Price in the shootout. There he was slow, defeated, with the team’s fate on his shoulders. From the time he got ready, I would be shocked if any Canes fan was excited to see the 2009-2010 Brind’Amour on the ice. It is hard for me to believe experts such as Maurice and Francis had warm, fuzzy feelings watching the shell of a hockey player that is Brind’Amour taking his failed shot. The move surpassed my expectation; but the end result of no goal, was as predictable as the sunrise this morning. Unless Maurice and Francis were trying to catch Price off guard and have Price relax from over confidence or perhaps the hope that Price would lose sight of the puck from laughing too hard at the sight, it was as bad a decision as the coaches have made this year. I am not an advocate for firing the coaches, but that move was inscrutable. To me if said that the coaches are in denial about Brind’Amour. They see him as his former self — a clutch player who carried the team on his shoulders. It’s a failed dream. Brind’Amour is a caricature, a sad example of how time destroys the skills and gracefulness that athletes have spend a lifetime developing. As he crawled toward the goal, with the Hurricanes fans incredulous, the coaches and team looking toward their captain for salvation, I doubt Brind’Amour felt in his heart of hearts he had even a prayer of regaining lost glory. Maurice’s explanation that he was playing the odds was both truthful and telling. He was considering the Brind’Amour of past seasons and hadn’t come to accept the stark reality of the Brind’Amour that is and will be.
I had no problem with Rod being out there in the shoot out, did you see how close he came to scoring, a lot closer than anyone else, even Jussi. Rod didn’t lose this came, the 0-5 power play did, to include 1:30 of 4 on 3 in the OT. I’m not sure what happened between Sunday and last night, but it was bad.
Manny, I’m sure, is hating himself, for letting in that soft goal in with less than 4 minutes left in the game. My heart just sunk when I saw that go in. But hey, it’s the Cardiac Canes here, just without the wins this time.
I’m just amazed at how many different players people want gone, Rod, Chad, Matt, Cam, A. Ward, I don’t think a player has been left off except for Sutter. If the team had a winning record these same people would be singing their praises. I don’t think anyone here was disappointed when the team signed Chad during the off season, but, people are calling for his head now. Just funny to me.
larose
When we resigned LaRose, i was excited. He was an important player for us in the past. However, this years Chad version is not that guy. I dont want to believe that he played for a contract and turned it off after the new contract, but thats how it looks. Just my opinion.
this is not true
his effort is same, he just hasnt gotten on the score sheet,
which he didnt do much last year either
Your key phrase is...
“If the team had a winning record”…they don’t, and that is the difference.
"If me and King Kong went into an alley, only one of us would come out. And it wouldn't be the monkey."
"I don't really trust a sane person."
"I never met a man I didn't want to fight." The one and only Lyle Alzado
Get rid of Sutter too. Apparently he’s not good enough to do shootouts.
by drifterscape on Nov 18, 2009 9:21 AM EST up reply actions
i seen Sutter in a shoot-out recently in Albany, he really isn’t very creative either. but man can he roll when it comes to playing the game of hockey itself! screw the shoot-out!
by 3yrsnoplayoffs? on Nov 18, 2009 10:02 AM EST up reply actions
i never really cared for LaRose personally.. i really felt like letting him go in the offseason coulda brought a new face (albeit; cheaper) to this team, bet that’s something JR is wishing he woulda done as well!
by 3yrsnoplayoffs? on Nov 18, 2009 10:00 AM EST up reply actions
Are you serious
“I had no problem with Rod…did you see how close he came to scoring” – yeah…not close enough. I mean, did you really think Rod had a better chance of scoring than the rest of folks on the bench…really?
“I don’t think anyone here was disappointed when the team signed Chad during the off season” – a majority of the folks were happy. But thats because he scored 19 goals last year and gave 100% EACH night. How many has he scored this year…i’ll give you a hint (ZERO) – the same number of nights he (and just about every other cane) have given 100%.
“I’m just amazed at how many different players people want gone, Rod, Chad, Matt, Cam, A. Ward” – If you want to keep Rod and A Ward as water boys, then OK. They hurt us on the ice EVERY night they play…every single night. Whats worse, these are two veteran leaders on the team.
Oh…and to whomever wants Cam gone, you’re equally as crazy as the folks who are still “glass half full” on Rod and A Ward.
Just funny to me.
I haven’t complained very much about the coaching this season, but after last night I’m shaking my head. Why of all people Brind’Amour?? I will never understand why Mo didn’t go with Sutter or Whitney. It was almost as if Mo was begging to lose the game. Btw, I was secretly hoping A. Ward was going to get an ass whooping. :)
Live & Learn
I’m going to try to touch on this today.
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 18, 2009 8:51 AM EST up reply actions
I don’t mind choosing Brind’Amour, however, I why then? Cullen wasn’t used until the sixth shooter so I was just wondering why he was used so late. If Cullen was used earlier I don’t think I would have minded to see Brindy after Cullen went.
by hotchipsnsalsa on Nov 18, 2009 9:04 AM EST up reply actions
Everyone is complaining about putting Brind’Amour in the shootout….. but not a word about them using the rookie d-man (Rodney) (who looked about as good as any of our other shooters (BTW).
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Nov 18, 2009 9:20 AM EST up reply actions
Do you really wonder why?
Rod represents what’s wrong with the Canes in many people’s opinion.
Older, past his prime, liability, etc, you name it can all be blamed on Rod.
Just because Staal has been sucking wind, LaRose played hard for a juicy contract last year, other young uns like Harrison didn’t work out, it’s still Rod’s fault.
If not his, then its Mo’s fault. (Which is where I lay the blame)
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
As Chuck K read each name off to me it made sense
I saw a reason for Mo to put each player up there to take the shootout. I wouldn’t have done it with the prospect of winning in mind, but I can see why he did it.
I think the picks were all about boosting confidence levels. After losing a gazillion games, you start to worry about boosting moral and egos as much as winning. I think he had even chances at both happening, but no dice.
I just hope it didn’t backfire.
As deep as it went
and Jussi also getting shut down. I think it was just not there.
To me, when they stopped playing to score and just hang on in the 3rd period was when they lost it.
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
This is how I feel. We had ample opportunity to put this away in the third, and we played the last two minutes of overtime 4-on-3. It should have never had to go as far as the shootout.
Sisu
Hey great minds think a like
so what am I doing in your league?
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
+1
I agree, I think he went with Brind’Amour to give him a chance to lead, to win, and to build some confidence. Too bad it didn’t work out.
GM of CanesCountry.com
Brind'Amour on the Shootout
Could there be more to the Brind’Amour choice than meets the eye? Could it be a throw down to Brind’Amour that says: "You are the team captain. Go win this game for the team. Be a leader and prove you deserve the “C.”
The upside is that if he makes the shot, he has started on the path of redeeming himself this season. The risk of course is that Brind’Amour would fail and his failure at the shootout would be seen as yet more proof that his play is lacking in all areas. Maybe Maurice and Francis are seeing what some of us are seeing and are ready to have Jim Rutherford take drastic steps with Brind’Amour.
It is telling that at least some of us dreaded the thought of the team captain taking something as basic as a shootout and much preferred Sutter, who is about half Brind’Amour’s age.
Penalty to Price?
Shouldn’t Price get penalty for knocking players down in front of him during the last power-play? It was so obvious, I doubt referees did not see it. Are these not called these days, or are the rules different in Montreal?
I always hated goalies knocking players down from behind, I do not think I actually saw anyone called for it, now that I think of it.
Quick question...
Pretty new fan here…is Sutter considered a rookie? I know he played some games last season…when does a player officially pass rookie status when they are called up for a few games and then reassigned back to the minors? Kinda like Boychuk…Thanks!!
"If me and King Kong went into an alley, only one of us would come out. And it wouldn't be the monkey."
"I don't really trust a sane person."
"I never met a man I didn't want to fight." The one and only Lyle Alzado
What's the 411 on Leighton?
Will he be back?
How hurt is he?
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
Oh yes, no sarcasm
as I really haven’t been able to find out anything.
(What do you mean hurricanes.nhl.com? If I want to be lied to, I’d read Mo’s blogs) <=Sarcasm
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
Well, should make for an interesting Leafs game…or not. We’ll see who shows up and which team is Least in the East ….er League…
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
I did not see the game but from the recaps I have read I gotta question the coaching. Bridnamour over Sutter and Whitney in the SO is baffling. Not having Rodney on the ice for a 4 on 3 to win the game, though is the bigger sin. That tells me he is playing not to lose, rather than to win. Safety first. Well, safe is death. I would rather have seen them take a chance on a rookie who is pretty good on the PP for the win and watch him screw up and the Habs win, then for Mo to play it safe. Either way we get a point, if that is not a time to throw caution to the wind, then there isn’t one.
Oh well. Maybe he was setting Rod up to be able to go out in a blaze of glory. It’s not like we’re going to be in danger of missing the playoffs by one point.
by drifterscape on Nov 18, 2009 9:26 AM EST up reply actions
history in the making?
Maybe that was history we watched last night: The last shoot-out attempt by Hurricanes Captain Rod Brind`Amour in what was formerly known as his proud and illustrious career in professional hockey. Hope Bob the Mayor captured the moment with a photo on his cell for the trophy room.
Hurricanes Hockey: Never for the faint of heart.
by hockeymomof2 on Nov 18, 2009 9:32 AM EST up reply actions
Game comments
I agree that Mo should have went Sutter or Whitney over #17. However, Rod made a pretty good move and tried to outlast Price but Price didn’t bite and Rod ran out of space. A split second earlier and Rod could have lifted the puck up. Rodney actually had a good move in the SO also – he went backhand and it seemed to almost fool Price but it was a weak shot. Regardless the Canes should have put it away on the 4 -3 in OT.
Thanks to everyone who posted the online link last nite – I actually had a pretty good feed. I learned some more French. Last year I learned “la Barrage” was a shootout and this year I added to that. Something like “baton eleve” is a high stick. Educational stuff.
My favorite is the delay of game penalty in French. It’s something like “retarde de match”. So you see a guy with that under him skating to the penalty box with his head hanging down. So funny!
by Pirate Caniac on Nov 18, 2009 5:19 PM EST up reply actions
honestly a 14 game winning streak is a fulke,
we shold be sitting near the bottom, but 14 games is a fluke,
if we play .500 hockey for the rest of the season we stay at the bottom,
but if we pick it up, we can possibly inch towards the playoffs,
we arent playing terrible anymore.
and this is exciting because our best three players didnt even play last night.
and we still got a point, and were a shooot out goal away from getting 2
I agree with chris that now that the team is coming together, we are simply playing a back up goalie every night, and are without our biggest star, and not having pitkanen on the ice may be the biggest difference.
My 12- yr old was excited when I told him we lost in a SO last night. He pointed out that we’ve gotten at least one point for 3-games in a row. 4 points in 3 games is better than .500 hockey – kinda sorta.
Hate that they cancelled practice today. Wasn’t last night the 20 game mark? Wonder what the roster will look like tomorrow?
Hurricanes Hockey: Never for the faint of heart.
by hockeymomof2 on Nov 18, 2009 10:06 AM EST up reply actions
So I don’t get why they would cancel practice today, unless it is because OT and SO had them in Montreal later than original expectations. Seems to me this team can use every minute of time on the ice together they can get.
by wylde4canes on Nov 18, 2009 10:12 AM EST up reply actions
plus only one healthy goalie….
Hurricanes Hockey: Never for the faint of heart.
by hockeymomof2 on Nov 18, 2009 11:05 AM EST up reply actions
Don’t forget the power of Tripp “Having played the position” Tracy to jump in when needed. Plus they often have another guy fill in as practice goalie. His name escapes me but I think he works with the equipment when he’s not in goal.
With 62 games left to play.....
(62/3)*4 = about 83 points.
As the canes have 11 points, that is not quite there to that “magic 95 points” to make the playoffs.
While, I’m wishing, I want a Pony. A 2010 Ford Shelby Mustang.
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/allan_muir/11/17/devils.take.top/index.html?eref=sihp
Ouch, this hurts.
by hockeythoughts on Nov 18, 2009 10:05 AM EST reply actions
Truth? You want the TRUTH?
You can’t handle the TRUTH!
Or is that me?
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
How do you know I can’t handle her? I’ve never even met her!!
;-)
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
Truth? She doesn't exist.....
and her half-sister Facts? She’s been wrung through the wringer a few times as to make her unknowable.
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
and we all know what happened to hope, charity and faith.
I sure do miss melody and harmony, though..
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
Jussi missed his SO attempt.
I almost cried.
Dallas Stars 4 Life: Stars Blogging From Hockeyville, Iowa
by Brad_Richards_Rocks on Nov 18, 2009 11:17 AM EST reply actions
Rodney's SO shot
Nobody has really mentioned much about Rodney’s SO shot being a decent one. Did anybody else try to push the puck along further with telepathy to squeak it past the line?? Nothing worse than seeing the puck just sitting there in wide open space just on the wrong side of the line.
On to the next hurdle…
NCHG
Wow, that was quick
I was wondering when someone was going to say, “Wow he’s hot/cute/someone for whom I want to bare children for/etc”
Personally, I think Jessica Alba is hot. So too is “Joana Krupa”. Let’s not forget Ashley Greene. Still Sela Ward and Dana Delaney will always have a special place in my heart.
Hey guys, we need to start a pool about how long before the “rugged/boyish/freakishly good looks of player X” are noted by the ladies of this board.
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
LCD has a one track mind without much traffic, just humor him…
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
Damn straight.....
saw the title, then I read the rest of the post but I figured as my mind was desperately trying to escape the conference call I was on to talk about something even better.
After all, those who want to can have their hot tub party with the Canes, I’ll create my own thank you.
Is it time to go home yet? Who cares if we say $300 for the cheaper, less capable model?
When will Thursday get here?
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
But Bryan Rodney is SO HOT....
I think we GF’s already observed that Rodney is hot when they interviewed in the 1st intermission of his first game last week.
:D
(consider this an early Christmas present lcd)
Hurricanes Hockey: Never for the faint of heart.
by hockeymomof2 on Nov 19, 2009 8:49 AM EST up reply actions
Cullen?
I think it is Cullen’s SO attempt that you are referring to. The one that barely glanced off of a desperate on completely deked Price’s skate and came to rest just in front of the goal line.
Sigh.
Sort of a snapshot of the whole season so far right there.
I really thought they had this one in the bag and then there’s an incredibly flukey goal. Thought they responded well after wards, when we were seemingly set up psychologically for one of those 2 goals in 2 mins collapses. But in the end, they just let it slip away.
That 4 or 3 power play for 2 minutes at the end of OT was feeble, at best. You have to win the game right there.
I don’t think anyone has mentioned it but I have to give a nod to Legace. He manned up in the shootout. Gave us every chance to win.
-m
oops!
That one was supposed to be a reply to NCHockeyGal.
I have no explanation for the poor spelling and grammar.
-m
If you're an "injunere"
poor spelling is expected.
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
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