Leafs at Canes Game Preview
by Bob Wage on Nov 6, 2009 2:23 PM EST
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PrintThe Toronto Maple Leafs are in town to battle the Carolina Hurricanes in what many are calling a battle for last place. Of course it's still early in the season, but both teams have certainly struggled out of the gate. While the Leafs were able to chalk up their first win of the season against the Ducks last week, the Canes have dropped 10 games in a row and have not won since October 9.
Carolina is also last in the NHL in scoring and last in regards to taking penalties.
Yesterday, the Hurricanes thought they might be facing some serious injury issues with Ray Whitney and Tuomo Ruutu so they recalled 2008 first round draft choice, Zach Boychuk. But all three skaters were on the ice at this morning's skate. The official word is that Ruutu will play while Whitney and Boychuk will be game time decisions. Boychuk was told he would probably play, which means Whitney would probably be out, but who knows? We will not find out for sure until game time.
Of course, Eric Staal is still out and will miss the game. Brandon Sutter will play and thanks to a directive from the front office, is expected to see more playing time. He had been practicing with the Rod Brind`Amour line, but there is no sense even guessing about the lines at this point with players still in question right up until game time.
One thing for sure, Cam Ward will be in net for the Canes. It looks like Jonas Gustavsson, "The Monster" will tend the pipes for the Leafs. (love that nickname)
The Leafs lost their last game in overtime to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Phil Kessel returned from injury for that game and looked good in his first game back. Watch for him to continue to impress tonight.
Tomas Kaberle leads the Leafs with 17 points. Will he try to exact revenge on the Canes because of the early buy-out of his brother Frantisek's contract?
The Canes are still lead by the eight points each of Ray Whitney and Jussi Jokinen. The boys are still thinking they are a playoff team, but they have a very long way to go before most people will buy what Paul Maurice is trying to sell.
Since this is a battle between two teams tied for last place, will we see a 0-0 tie or a 5-5 slugfest? Either way, odds are that it will come down to a shootout.
Game time is at 7 and the contest will be telecast by FS Carolinas, or catch the play by play on 99.9 The Fan. We will have an open thread starting at 6:30.
For Maple Leaf propaganda, check out Pension Plan Puppets.
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“Moichandizing! That’s where the real money is made!”
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 6, 2009 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
I’ll be there, and I’m really hoping to see Boychuk. If he doesn’t play, I’m gonna boo the whole damn game… unless they’re winning. What are the chances of that happening?
Disappointed but not exactly surprised. I guess mo is gonna spend his 2.5 years squelching the youth movement.
by Iggy Reilly on Nov 6, 2009 3:06 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
So, Mo is likely playing some guys that aren’t feeling that great. If I didn’t know better I would think he had some personal reason for wanting to win tonight’s game… :)
Yeah...
..his Step Dad JR is going to get mad at him and say " If you don’t start winning I am going to have yell at you and not bake your favorite cookies. "
by Douchebag St John on Nov 6, 2009 3:09 PM EST up reply actions
If boychuck does not play 15 minutes or more, then they may as well send him back down again. Sutter too. There is no need to halt these young guys learning process because Mo can’t/wont coach young guys.
Are you two crazy? Send them back down? How about fix the friggin’ problem? The wrong guys are on the roster. Sutter is one of the right guys. In no possible sane universe should he be sent down.
I juust heard the GM say the kids should get top 9 minutes. If that don’t happen you don’t send the kids down for Pete’s sake, fix the dam problem. If Mo is unable to lead or follow, then get the hell out of thweway. WTF is there a co coach for?
Do not send these kids down unless they do not perform and from what I’ve seen Sutter once again has earned his spot. It’s up to Boychuck to do the same, but give them a true opportunity and if Mo can’t handle it, wtf are we paying Francis for? It sure isn’t his PP prowess, I hope.
Exasperated with you two!!
A
It’s not just young guys, Paul Maurice is a terrible coach.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
He accomplished a minor miracle from December to May last year. Just luck?
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 6, 2009 6:04 PM EST up reply actions
Mo was the right guy at the right time last year. A team with great offensive potential but 0 defensive identity needed someone like him. Much like in 01-02 the team go hot at the right time and hit a Boston team that was already looking past them and you ended up in the Conference Finals. As mentioned by another poster a few days ago however, its appearing now that the thrashing the team took in the ECF was not an aberration.
I don’t think this debacle is totally his fault, though he has made some extraordinarily bad decisions. With all that being said, due to his unwillingness to actually use the young guys(ala Staal in his rookie season), its becoming pretty clear he is not the right guy for the rebuilding project that was not supposed to begin until next year. We are stuck with him because he is family and because there is no way in hell PK is going to pay for three coaches.
Hopefully we can follow the Chicago model of sucking horribly for a few years and building through good drafts. I am just not a market like this will support a team through a true 5 year rebuilding plan.
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 6, 2009 6:12 PM EST up reply actions
I dont get it either....
…I cannot think of many better coaches for a forward to learn Defensive Responsibility from. No, that is not sarcasm either. I just cannot grasp why this guy will not play young kids come hell or high water.
by Douchebag St John on Nov 6, 2009 3:21 PM EST up reply actions
HERE IS AN IDEA
Lets bench MO and start Brindamour as head coach tonight. Boychuk can take Brindy’s spot on the 3rd line.
if this whole hockey thing doesn’t work out for all of us, we can always watch movies. Week 1: Spaceballs. Week 2: Caddyshack
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 6, 2009 4:14 PM EST up reply actions
Reverse those....
…Space Balls is really funny, but Caddyshack owns.
by Douchebag St John on Nov 6, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions
Oh....
…throw Blazing Saddles in there somewhere too.
by Douchebag St John on Nov 6, 2009 4:23 PM EST up reply actions
OH no, please, not blazing saddles…
by Andrea's evil twin on Nov 6, 2009 11:07 PM EST up reply actions
I was just going by the order they were mentioned. We could do a Mel Brooks marathon.
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 6, 2009 4:26 PM EST up reply actions
Young Frankenstein...
…would need to be shown at least twice.
by Douchebag St John on Nov 6, 2009 4:27 PM EST up reply actions
If the ’Canes win tonight, there will be human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria.
Guys....
…I gotta get my own Lawyer.
by Douchebag St John on Nov 6, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions
She sleeps above the covers....
FOUR FEET above the covers.
by Douchebag St John on Nov 6, 2009 4:49 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe the Leafs are thinking of the most harmless thing from childhood…..?
The Stay Puffed Marshmellow Man aka, the Canes!!!!!!!!!!!
A
The magnificent feast that was the run to the ECF last year represents the last of the petty cash.
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 6, 2009 5:20 PM EST up reply actions
canes
If the cane’s don’t beat Toronto tonight that will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back/
robert
Couldn't resist this repost from a reader at Canes Now blog
I’ll stick my neck out with some Leafs trash talk.
Q: What do the Leafs and the Titanic have in common? A: They both look good until they hit the ice.
Q: What do the Toronto Maple Leafs and whales have in common? A: They both get totally confused when surrounded by ice.
Q: Why are the Toronto Maple Leafs like Canada Post? A: They both wear uniforms and don’t deliver!
Q: Why doesn’t Hamilton have an NHL team? A: Because then Toronto would want one.
Q: What do the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Argonauts, and the Toronto Blue Jays all have in common — besides being based in Toronto? A. None of them can play hockey.
Q: What do you call 30 millionaires around a TV watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs? A. The Toronto Maple Leafs.
Q: What do the Toronto Maple Leafs and Billy Graham have in common? A. They both can make 20,000 people stand up and yell ‘Jesus Christ’.
Q: How do you keep the Toronto Maple Leafs out of your yard? A. Put up a goal net.
Q: What do you call a Toronto Maple Leaf with a Stanley Cup ring? A. A thief.
Q: What do the Toronto Maple Leafs and possums have in common? A. Both play dead at home and get killed on the road.
Q: How many Toronto Maple Leafs does it take to win a Stanley Cup? A. Nobody knows … and we may never find out.
"He has all the virtues I dislike, and none of the vices I admire." -Sir Winston Churchill
by SouthernHockeyFan on Nov 6, 2009 5:25 PM EST reply actions
Sadly...
…could transpose " Carolina Hurricanes" into most of those.
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 6, 2009 5:29 PM EST up reply actions
Oh I have one too-
In breaking news out of Toronto today, a young boy has been placed in the custody of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was originially removed from the custody of his parents because they beat him. When the judge tried to place him in the custody of his uncle, he said the uncle beat him too. When the judge tried to place him in the custody of his aunt, he said the aunt beat him too. When the the judge tried to place him in the custody of his grandmother, he said the grandmother beat him too. Finally the judge asked the boy who he wanted to have custody of him. When the boy said the Maple Leafs, the judge asked why that was the case. The boy answered “because the Leafs can’t beat anybody.”
That is great....
….and can be used in so many circumstances. I will credit you.
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 6, 2009 5:55 PM EST up reply actions
"because the Leafs can’t beat anybody."
eek!
Hockey Gods
CG didn’t mean it. We respect this noble blue team from the north and we, the loyal fans of the Caniac Nation, ask only that we will witness this night that our favorite team
- will work hard and skate hard for 60 minutes
- be responsible and disciplined for 60 minutes as well,
- remember the spark of youth and the wisdom of experience, and the power of never giving up (remember the playoffs of 09?)
We ask that you grant us an opportunity to at least get one point in the standings, as we participate in the brave and noble tradition known as NHL hockey. Please, oh Hockey Gods, with everything we call holy on the ice, grant us one moment of respite from our suffering.
Amen.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 6, 2009 6:16 PM EST up reply actions
I have been very respectful of the hockey gods and we all know how they’ve repaid me. I am officially taking a break from them.
You’re playing with fire then. I’m not there yet. I think it’s a test. (ever read Job?)
=D
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 6, 2009 6:34 PM EST up reply actions
I heard that one first from a leafs fan… so it’s not CGs fault
by Andrea's evil twin on Nov 6, 2009 11:04 PM EST up reply actions
well, without that, what would they have?
by Andrea's evil twin on Nov 6, 2009 11:09 PM EST up reply actions
haha I mean, they don’t even have last place to cling to anymore…
:’(
Waaahhhh!
by Andrea's evil twin on Nov 6, 2009 11:10 PM EST up reply actions
Birthday wishes!
to Erik Cole. He turns 31 today!
Let’s guess what he wants to celebrate – hopefully we’re all on the same wavelength.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 6, 2009 6:24 PM EST reply actions
LOL! You’re so predictable, but still funny!
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 6, 2009 6:32 PM EST up reply actions
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