Battle of the Basement - Part Deux: Leafs at Canes Game Day Preview
by Bob Wage on Nov 19, 2009 2:16 PM EST
14 comments
The bottom feeders of the NHL are matched up again tonight as the Toronto Maple Leafs, (3-11-5), invade the RBC to tangle with the Carolina Hurricanes, (3-12-5). The teams are tied, (although the Leafs have a game in hand), as each have a league worst 11 points, so the loser of this affair will officially be in last place. This is a rematch of the game on November 6, which Toronto won by a score of 3-2.
Toronto has lost four games in a row, but Carolina is feeling pretty good about earning points in their last three games. (1-0-2)
The Leafs were expected to be in this position as most recognized this would be a rebuilding year for them. The Hurricanes, on the other hand, were projected by many to be a playoff team. But the Canes have been a huge disappointment and have only won a single game in regulation all season long.
The injury bug has made his presence known in Raleigh as Cam Ward, Eric Staal, Scott Walker, Joni Pitkanen, and Michael Leighton will not be available for this game. Tim Conboy was sent to Albany and Patrick Dwyer has been recalled in his place. Justin Peters was recalled yesterday to fill in for Leighton.
The lines could start out pretty much the same as in the Montreal game Tuesday night.
- Sutter, Whitney, Cole
- Cullen, Ruutu, Jokinen
- Brind'Amour, Samsonov, LaRose
- Yelle, Kostopoulos, Dwyer
- Gleason/Corvo
- Ward/Wallin
- Alberts/Rodney
But of course, look for the lines to be mixed and matched as usual throughout the contest.
Manny Legace will get the nod in net, (if he is healthy at game time) and will face "The Monster", Jonas Gustavsson, the same goalie who shut down the Canes two weeks ago.
The Leafs are led in scoring by defenseman Tomas Kaberle. Ray Whitney leads Carolina and has points in four straight games.
Brandon Sutter and Jussi Jokinen are also hot players for the Canes.
They have not given up on the season yet in the front office and are still showing hope that they can turn things around. Fanhouse has a recent interview with GM Jim Rutherford posted this morning. (Rutherford Sees Better Things Ahead)
This is what JR had to say about Brandon Sutter:
"We thought he'd play at least half a season at Albany, then we brought him in to help -- and Brandon has come in and been our best player," Rutherford said. "He always projected a player who could have an impact on the organization, but at this age, the offensive skills he's shown are something."
After a three game hiatus, this contest will be televised locally by FS Carolinas! You may also listen at 99.9 The Fan and check out the open thread here starting at 6:30.
Pension Plan Puppets will have the latest, and not so greatest about the Leafs.
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I think it was a tongue in cheek way of saying this team has an infestation of injury bugs.
greaticepectations.blogspot.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Nov 19, 2009 3:05 PM EST up reply actions
Not yet.....
….give it time.
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Nov 19, 2009 3:12 PM EST up reply actions
hope we're on tonight
i would just love a win tonight. love it.we so need it. and i think we can do it against the leafs. i would in fact love to blow them out.
Is Toronto’s goalie (Jonas) new to their organization/ recent acquisition, or has he been in their system for awhile? I don’t remember the name from past years at all.
New … he was dominant in the Swedish Elite League and had several suitors this offseason. As expected, the Leafs ended up getting him. Nickname: The Monster
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 19, 2009 3:47 PM EST up reply actions
god dang it
please let us score on him somehow. at least sutter may. don’t let this be a blow out against us. i know we can win tonight. i’m sure of it. we’re good. we’re good.
Well that was a great game and there are two stats i like out of the whole mess. It’s kind of embarassing when the Jumbo tron shows the team leaders for +/- and You have two guys at -1…..
So Brindy drops down again, he is -18. I yelled that at the top of my lungs and hope he heard it. You coulda heard a pin drop after that goal, so he may have.
Next is my absolute favorite. Sutter’s next game will tie him with Staals played games. If he earns one point he will have exactly twice as many points in the same amount of games as Staal.
Staal excuse makers have at it, but that stat don’t lie. The kids playing with the same bums and a hobbit in net.
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
What is your point regarding Staal ?
He was playing hurt. Should he have stepped out or been forced out sooner ? Probably.
Sutter had one (1) goal last year in 50 games. Maybe Staff was a too hesitant to bring up kids so they wouldn’t get themselves hurt (again).
by drifterscape on Nov 20, 2009 8:43 AM EST up reply actions
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