Rangers at Hurricanes: Game Day Preview
Coach John Tortorella and his New York Rangers, (16-16-3) are in town for a game with the Carolina Hurricanes, (9-20-6) tonight at the RBC. This will be the first of two games in Raleigh over the next 10 days for these two teams. They match up again on New Year's Eve, next week Thursday night.
While the Hurricanes are in last place in the NHL, they have been playing well at home and currently have an 8-7-2 record with three home wins in a row.
The Rangers have had troubles of their own. Upset with the team's effort after a recent loss to the New York Islanders, Coach John Tortorella had an expletive filled press conference. He later benched highly paid vets Wade Redden and Ales Kotalik, then moved Chris Drury to the fourth line. The team has responded with two straight victories over the Flyers and Islanders, (and Drury scored), but all is not wine and roses in the Big Apple.
Before their last two wins, they had lost five in a row and eight of their last nine.
Redden and Kotalik are expected back in the lineup tonight.
The Canes returned defenseman Bryan Rodney to Albany and sure enough, Tim Gleason attended the morning skate and will be back in tonight's lineup. Niclas Wallin remains out.
Other than the addition of Gleason, look for the same lineup as played in the Florida game on Saturday night.
Cam Ward will be between the pipes, probably facing Henrik Lundqvist.
Carolina is led in scoring by Ray Whitney, (24 points) and Tuomo Ruutu, (23 points). The Rangers are led by Marian Gaborik, (24 goals and 45 points) and Vinny Prospal, (29 points).
Patrick Dwyer has the longest point streak on the Canes with two goals in the last two games.
For more information about the Rangers, check out the Blueshirt Banter.
The game will be televised by FS Carolinas starting at 7. We will have the game day thread open at 6:30 and will be reporting live from the RBC.
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Here's for the start of the 30 game winning streak.
We already have 1 down.
After tonight, only 28 to go!
Happerry Chrisolkwanaka
Yeah, then they can lose 2 or 3 games.....
and then win out.
That would leave them with about 112 to 113 pts.
More than enough for the President’s Trophy!
Happerry Chrisolkwanaka
Either that or I've hit the Jack Daniels a wee too early.....
either way works for me!
Happerry Chrisolkwanaka
Can’t wait! I’m actually going tonight and I still get that excited feeling before a game, glad these bums haven’t taken that from me yet!
Still not a crook!
Great news that Gleason is back in the lineup-hopefully he keeps Avery away from Cam.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
Alberts might be useful in that regard as well. Wonder if they have any history? To bad Rosey’s missing his “A Day in the Life” reprise.
And I did hear AWard say in an interview that Avery was the only player in the NHL whom he genuinely disliked (or maybe even “hated”). That duo has some potential. Imagine some sweet nothings the Blueshirt #16 may be whispering in the recently-cleared-waivers #4’s ears if given a chance to provoke.
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by Carolyn Christians on Dec 21, 2009 3:08 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t know if Albe has enough mean in him to handle that little punk; I mean he lays some big hits, but he hasn’t made a living cleaning out the crease for his goalie. Gleason on the other hand wouldn’t think twice about throttling Avery if necessary (and it’s almost always necessary).
But, I’d be interested in seeing an Avery-A.Ward confrontation.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
I liked when they put LaRose on Avery's tail
LaRose I think got under Avery’s skin and Avery took a penalty or two from it.
Happerry Chrisolkwanaka
Avery is one of those guys that can dish it out but can’t take it. You turn his own game back on him and he either turtles or takes a penalty.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
Thinking of wingmen, maybe TKO will try to fill Rosey’s shoes skates.
Or Paddycakes might step up, if he really wants to endear himself to the fans (and players) in Raleigh. That’d make for great bragging rights when/if he goes back to Albany.
And there will always be the one the only Scotty Walker. Just ask AWard.
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by Carolyn Christians on Dec 21, 2009 3:42 PM EST up reply actions
Is that Glad Tidings of Christmas cheer…. or something?
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Dec 21, 2009 4:37 PM EST up reply actions
Hey Bob-aren’t we 9-20-6?
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
Shhh......
oh wait.
would that be tempting the already worthless hockey gods?
Happerry Chrisolkwanaka
Buttons...
Anyone else besides LTD want some Gleason buttons? We’ve still got a few left.
LTD, you gonna be around to meet somewhere?
I got one from Cyn on Saturday, so I’m all set for myself. Do you have leftovers? I can take a few if you do. Don’t know yet where I’ll be during warmups. If we don’t hook up tonight I’ll be at Wednesday’s game too.
SISU
by Jamie Kellner on Dec 21, 2009 5:22 PM EST up reply actions
We’ve got 5 left. If no one else claims one, they’re all yours…
Want me to just bring ‘em Wednesday? Then I won’t have to carry them around in my pockets tonight. :)
Works for me. Gives time for others to claim one too. Don’t want to bogart.
SISU
by Jamie Kellner on Dec 21, 2009 5:32 PM EST up reply actions
Forget about wondering who is going to handle Avery; who is going to handle Gaborik? Teams have had success in shutting him down by letting a defenseman just shadow him; the Penguins used Brooks Orpik and Philadelphia used Chris Pronger. Is there anyone on the Canes roster (especially if Gleason is out) who is up to the task of shutting down the league’s leading scorer?
They’ve been getting a little more secondary scoring lately, but the Rangers live and die by Gaborik and Lundqvist.
Here’s a game we can play: count how many times you hear “Higgins shoots it wide!” or “Higgins misses the net!”
Looks like Gleason will be in, so Gabby might have a shadow. I think it would also be advantageous to have a forward shadow him, maybe TK?
Go Canes!
greaticepectations.blogspot.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Dec 21, 2009 6:17 PM EST reply actions



















