Familiar Scene for Carolina: Rangers 3, Hurricanes 1
by Bob Wage on Dec 22, 2009 2:13 AM EST
92 comments
Fans of the Carolina Hurricanes have been down this road before. The team played well, was in the game most of the time, made a couple of mistakes which ended up in the back of the net, then failed to capitalize on opportunities in the opponent's zone as an evenly matched game turned into yet another loss last night at the RBC.
The New York Rangers defeated the Hurricanes by a score of 3-1. While the first two periods of the game were almost dead even and the third was very close, the New Yorker's were clutch. The Carolina players were not.
The Canes had three powerplay chances and failed to score. They had numerous odd man advantages and failed to score on them.
Bottom line, Henrik Lundqvist out-played Cam Ward and New York's franchise player out-performed Carolina's. That's not to say Eric Staal had a bad game, he played well. But Marian Gaborik was better.
After a scoreless first period in which the stats were almost dead even, Sergei Samsonov opened the scoring with a wrap around chance just 46 seconds into the second period.
Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, the Rangers answered back almost immediately. Cam Ward aggressively played a puck outside the crease which took an unfavorable bounce and got by him, then Tim Gleason got the puck in front of the open Carolina net, but hit it right to the league's premier sniper, who made no mistake.
The tally was number 25 for Gaborik, which leads the NHL. It took the Rangers just 28 seconds to tie the score.
That would be the end of the scoring for the Hurricanes, although they would have ample opportunities in the game. Later in the second, Scott Walker and Rod Brind`Amour had a tremendous two on one chance, but Walker's pass was a bit off and Brind'Amour could not handle it.
In the third period, Staal got behind the New York defense and had the puck with a point blank chance, but could not lift it past Lundqvist.
On the other side, the Rangers scored on their best chance of the third period as Vinny Prospal passed to Marian Gaborik who fed a wide open Brandon Dubinsky in front of Ward. The forward lifted a perfectly smooth backhander over the unsuspecting Carolina goalie as if he were a 30 goal scorer. It was Dubinsky's fourth goal of the year.
That was the difference in the game. Winners find a way to win. And the Hurricanes are not in last place in the league by accident.
Marc Staal finished up the scoring on a long empty-netter with just 33 clicks left.
Next up will be a rematch with the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night.
Game Notes:
- The Hurricanes powerplay was 0-3 making it three games in a row the team has failed to score with the man advantage, (0-7). Although having just seven powerplay chances in three games is certainly not an over-abundance of opportunity.
- Tim Gleason started out with a visor but took it off after the first intermission. The defenseman has had better games as he misplayed the puck on Gaborik's score and was on the ice for all three New York goals. He finished with a -3, but it was his first game back after about a week off due to concussion-like symptoms.
- The Hurricanes were credited with 39 hits compared to 20 for the Rangers. Andrew Alberts, Tuomo Ruutu, and Scott Walker led the way with six each.
- Carolina had 33 shots on goal led by Staal and Ray Whitney with five each.
- Aaron Ward and Ray Whitney had three blocked shots each.
- After the game, coach Paul Maurice said that it felt like a playoff game. Neither team made many mistakes. It was a tightly contested affair throughout.
- The team won 45% of faceoffs led by Brind'Amour's 83%, (5 of 6). Staal won 33%, (7 of 21).
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Wow, what a rough loss. Sergei Samsonov, despite scoring, looked like he was playing with a “lower body concern”having neither the jump he normally does, nor bringing any of his normal “physical” (if you can call it that) game. The Finns were largely invisible, and Mark definitely won this version of the brother battle. Brind’amour and AWard both had decent games, which shows more about how they are not integral to this teams success. I’m wondering if as the season wears on and the younger players start to wear down if they won’t both “gain” their lost steps back. Sadly both normal goals were completely preventable with better puck clearing. A tight game, maybe, but we seemed doomed to lose it from the beginning.
Anyone else notice the complete lack of hooking/slashing calls? I think it was the Refs way of giving us a chance to score by not putting us on the power play.
The first goal by the Rags forgot one key assist.....
Gleason should have been given credit for the assist as he set up Gaborik.
Happerry Chrisolkwanaka
Death Watch continues.....
10 Regulation losses and 1 OT loss OR 21 OT losses is all they can afford now as they’ll fall under that magic 95 pts.
Anything more, then their chances for the playoffs drop off a cliff.
Happerry Chrisolkwanaka
when will you understand.. the playoffs are not gonna happen this year? not this team at least. the inconsistencies and ability to do the little things needed to win hockey games just isn’t there with this group. if this team finishes with 15-20 wins, i would be very surprised. JR says changes are coming.. but the changes we see won’t be on the ice till next seaon by way of draft picks. bring on more call-ups!
by 3yrsnoplayoffs? on Dec 22, 2009 7:50 AM EST up reply actions
Me? Sarcastic?
Next thing you’re going to say is that I flirt (or really, really try to) with all the ladies on this board!
Where will it end?
Happerry Chrisolkwanaka
This GROUP
Is the reason why we have hope. We have all the talent in the system necessary to make it to the play-offs but the movement from management is preventing it from happening. I think that is why this season is such a disappointment. I would have a hard time going out and playing HARD everyday when the organization has basically given up on the season. They need to scratch Brindy and A.Ward. Let the young guys play more minutes and watch the chemistry unfold like it did against the Penguins.
by THE_NEW_CANES on Dec 22, 2009 8:00 AM EST up reply actions
Dude, while the PO’s may be mathmaticly possible, it is realisticly impossible. Save the PO ticket money.
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
Nice meeting you Max and stay away from my wife. :)
by THE_NEW_CANES on Dec 22, 2009 8:14 AM EST up reply actions
Hey, thanks for inviting us.
I had to leave early. I wasn’t feeling too well and the debacle on the ice didn’t help.
Happerry Chrisolkwanaka
New York's franchise player out-performed Carolina's.
Driving home last night after the game I was listening to MM on the fan. He kept repeating that every time Gaborik gets on the ice he is dangerous. That is the mark of franchise player, someone who is worthy of being called a superstar. Crosby, Ovenchicken, Malkin all superstars, dangerous anytime they are the ice. Possibly at one time Staal was that, but (again IMHO) he is no longer a superstar, he is a star on this team comprised of veterans in their twilight, young players trying to find their niche. Thus far I am not a Staal hater, but my like of him dwindles each time I see him lazily lean into a hit, or glide into the neutral zone chasing the puck. The Canes need to add a player of superstar quality, could Sutter step up… Possibly, could Dwyer be that man… again Possibly, the future is bright, but management needs to see trying to build this team with Staal as the only one carrying the scoring burden just isn’t gonna work. When teams enter our building and we travel to theirs the Canes’ need someone DANGEROUS every time they set foot on the ice and Staal IMHO is not that guy! This group could be dangerous with the right superstar and a few solid roster moves.. some of the pieces are in place GO CANES!!!!
staal is most dangerous when his team is dangerous.
and this is no different for any other superstar.
staal isnt the the name of the league like crosby or ovechkin. but he is a superstar.
we all want staal to be more physical like ovechkin?
but we complain about how ovi is dirty. crosby doesnt have a physical game at all…
we all want staal to be dangerous everytime hes on the ice,
he is dangerous, but hes always got two defenders. because teams know it.
and because his team isnt quite there to pull away D from our superstar,
staal has gotten in his head that he will always have two d. so his choices are based on that.
yall have given up on our franchise player,
staal will be top 10 in the league in scoring again within the next three years. (thats my prediction)
BS Chris. AO is a superstar and would shine anywhere with anybody. That’s the very definition of a superstar. Not what Staal is. Don’t defame the true superstars of the game defending Mr. Mangina. He should be benched every time he throws a hissy fit, rather than plays hockey.
A
Staal is not a superstar. He’s a very good player. He also is the only player to get a million dollar Binky. If even his Binky doesn’t help get him up to superstar level, say 80 or so points, he is too high of maintenance for what he is paid.
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
Not true. Lecavalier always had Prospal, and look at the season he’s having w/o him.
by Cory Lavalette on Dec 22, 2009 9:50 AM EST up reply actions
That’s called a tandem, not a Binky and your weakest argument yet.
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
Prospal was bought out … doesn’t generally happen to elite guys.
by Cory Lavalette on Dec 22, 2009 10:12 AM EST up reply actions
Satan got ousted last year. I thought that was interesting. A buy is not maybe the norm, but I could see it with Rod.. I have never seen a trade the Willy and Cole thing. If it would of panned out great, maybe fine. It didn’t and I think JR looks and was foolish.
While I don’t think Prospal is anywhere near on topic, since you busted it out. Good move, bad move? What’s the deal with St. Louis and Lacavalier? I would group them with Staal in the first couple dozen games. Highly paid nothings.
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
you haven’t watched St. Louis play this year, then … he and Stamkos have been amazing together.
by Cory Lavalette on Dec 22, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions
Know what I mean, not what I type! I meant Vinny. He was hating it got bought out and is now doing failry well at a substantial pay cut. He was an overpaid paper weight and then got a wake up.
“So what’s the deal with Prospal and Lcavalier” was what I meant.
I think Staal would blossom put in the same postition. Lacavalier, too.
To answer your rhetorical question, nope don’t follow St. Louis. I assume he and the kid are rockin’?
Maybe there is a formula there? Hot kid makes those around him better?
Which to chnage topics once again. stamkos benifited from a crappy first year in the NHL, I think. All the BS that has been spewed about keeping our kids in the NHL is proven wrong, I think, by Stamkos. Kid comes up, spends a mediocre year, getting the hang of it. Now he’s ready and playing with an elite player.
Sutter, Dwyer, Boychuck and Rodney I think would all shine to their potential if given the same chance.
Dam, I’m winded. Sorry about the St. Louis thing, must be a freudian thing. Or wait, I was just throwing you off, yea, that’s the ticket…
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
I can just hear last years exit interview.
JR-
" Well Eric, you did not really live up to your potential again this year, but you did really pick it up towards the end of the year. What do you think was the difference "
Staal
" Gaga, go, ga, go Colsey, goo ga "
JR
" About that Eric, Erik is asking an awful lot of money for a guy who has lost a step and is one soft pretzel to neck away from a wheelchair. We were thinking of going in a different direction next year "
Staal
" WHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAA ME WANT COLESLY! ME WANT COLESY! "
JR
" I understand Eric, but he really is not much of a player any more and is asking an awful lot of money to be a 3rd line Power, and I use that term loosely, forward "
Staal
“NO COLESY AND YOU GET ME 06-07! ME WANT COLESY!!!!! "
JR
" Alright Eric, we’ll see what we can do, thanks for coming in today "
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 Dec 22, 2009 11:57 AM EST up reply actions
“staal has gotten in his head that he will always have two d. so his choices are based on that.”
Do you not think Ovechkin and Crosby get 2 D on them?? My point is both those guys mentioned lay it out every time they step on the ice, you can honestly tell me Staal does not take a few shifts off per game??? Not saying he isn’t a star just not a superstar.
Gaborik v. Staal: The Winner is Gaborik Last Night
I was drinking coffee this morning and thinking that one of the important lessons from last night, is that the team’s best player has to perform well in tight, tough games for the team to win. Last night Gaborik showed why he is a top tier player. Unfortunately, as far as last night’s game goes, Staal was not a superstar.
I agree completely that Staal is the kind of player who needs a Malkin on his line — another truly dangerous, fast, physical wing; and that Staal is dangerous when his team is dangerous. I also agree that if I were the coach, I would have a heart to heart with Staal and challenge him to be as good as Ovechkin and Crosby and Kessell on the effort side of the equation. It is disheartening to see Staal give up on a shift and glide back on the backcheck after failing to score.
I grew up in Mill Town where football and basketball was everything to that town. My coaches there and later in college said the same thing and all the players understood it: In close games in basketball it is up to the coaches, the point guard, and the best player on the team to find a way to win. In football, it was up to the coaches, the quarterback, and the running back or wide receiver to find a way to win close games. I believe similar concepts apply in hockey.
In hockey, it seems that the same rule applies. To win close games, the coaches and the best two players on the team have to win the game. The problem this year is that Staal has not been able to stay healthy and to be the best player on the ice; the coaches are not winning close games through coaching decisions (although I don’t accuse them of losing close games by awful decisions); and the Hurricanes players seem to have anybody emerge as the person who the other team knows will beat them.
I am convinced the team will find itself by end of the season and will play winning hockey. I only hope that winning attitude doesn’t come until after the Hurricanes secure last place. I am convinced the Hurricanes are an excellent team dragged down by some under-achieving and/or mismatched veterans. Taylor Hall will bring the dynamic, fast scoring wing the Hurricanes need to move to the next level given the talent on team and available in Albany.
It isn’t lost on anybody following the Hurricanes that the team teams a fast, scoring defenseman; and there are a number available via trade. I, too, I also remained convinced that the Hurricanes desperately need a fast, strong, big power forward to be the young kids’ bodyguard during the grind of the season.
I see this season as the painful transition from older, small, quick but not fast, team comprises of some veterans who cannot win games in today’s NHL (as shown by the team’s performance) into a fast, big, hungry, physical team of highly skilled young players who would run through brick walls to bring home the Stanley Cup. I am excited, not discouraged.
Totally Agree
But I feel that a lot more of the blame for this year falls on the coaches.
I was at the game last night, sitting very close to Lundqvist for 2 periods and I CANNOT BELIEVE how Maurice watched the same game and didn’t have anyone with the body for it crashing the net.
Over and over this year we have witnessed his complete inability to adapt to a situation. Last night was more of the same. We just kept throwing weak shots at Lundqvist from way out that he read the whole way. It’s infuriating.
Then afterwards we get to hear Maurice talk about how well we played. BS! It is a binary result guys, and we are on the wrong end of it.
I really wish JR would come out and say “We are not interested in winning games this year, we need a top pick”. At least I would know we aren’t even trying.
If Maurice is coaching next year I might just have to follow whoever gets Whitney. I for one am getting sick of spending so much money watching an inept staff.
Staal needs to step up
His job is to shoot. And for the most part that is what he is good at (he had some decent chances last night).
The only time I get upset at Staal is when he tries to pass the puck.
Not his strong point.
Stick to shooting.
and when he decides not to play.
There are too many passers on the team in general. Not enough shooters. As a center Staal has to be concerned with getting players the puck in good situations, no different than a point guard in the NBA. The problem IMO is that when he passes the puck those players instead of shooting pass the puck again. I think the team needs to put up the Micheal Scott Quote “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take – Wayne Gretzky” in the locker room.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
I agree and think that is one of the problems that is repeated on this team. More often than not they are looking to make the extra pass for the perfect play, rather than just shooting and putting the puck on the net.
GM of CanesCountry.com
That’s one of the main reasons why I want Taylor Hall more than Senguin in the draft. Hall is a shooter and scorer. If the Canes were to draft Seguin instead then they would have to look at moving Staal to wing, which may have some benefit.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
While I agree not shooting is an issue. Staal has close to 100 shots I think. His problem is 95 wraparound tries has yeilded one goal. Staal get’s paid to only shoot, but rack up points. That’s where I think he is lacking the most. If he were on track for 100 point season, his tantrums would be given more of a pass.
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
Bob no offence, but the only thing not perfect with Walkers pass to Rod was that it was to Rod. My 11 yr old could of got that one on net.
I need help with a stat. When a coach pulls the goalie and you get a eng, shouldn’t the coach get the goal? That puts Mo right at the top of goal scorers on the Canes. Poor Mo has just been misunderstood, he’s a scoring dyna-Mo….
I’m dissappointed in Cam’s come back play. He’s never been good with the puck, but now he’s dangerous and finds himself WAAAAYYYY out of position every game. 10’ out with your ass to the puck isn’t prime position (ask tt, he knows goalies..and hot tubs) Cam needs to learn the new boards and his positioning.
I wasn’t as pleased with Staal as some games ago. He planhted firmly on his ass once again (he did crush his brother once, too) He cry’d again his mangina hurt.. The guy is just not helping himself and in so doing isn’t contributing to the team as he is expected and should be.
Next is the total lack of a PP. They either need to throw somebody to the wolves and even it up at 4-4 hockey or see if we can decline the dam thing. Case and point why Ron Francis has business behind the bench.
On an uptick, I thought Carson did pretty good. Dwyer is always a threat it seems. The call ups once again are proving why they should be here.
I think it may be a coincidence, but the PP sucks even worse with out Rodney, maybe try him out a couple more times just to see. Anybody have stats on PP tally’s with and without?
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
I don’t have 20/20 anymore, but it looked like the pass was at his feet to me too.
GM of CanesCountry.com
It ended up in his feet, but it was coming at him perpendicular to his chest. Brindy had turned his body and was in position. I can give you the argument that the shot may have ended up off target, but Brindy should have made contact. That’s hand eye coordination right there, and he should have been able to get his stick on the puck.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
My original description was that the pass from Walker was “a bit off”, meaning that it wasn’t perfect. Whether Brindy gets a stick on it or not is a different question altogether. A better player could possibly kick the puck to his stick and shoot after that. In my opinion it just was not a picture perfect slam dunk play that any 11 year old could make.
I don’t think anyone is saying Brind’Amour’s hand-eye is what it used to be but at least he is now on the fourth line where he is not expected to put up points.
GM of CanesCountry.com
I’m not gonna jump on you about it.
I think any compitnt player in the NHL would of got wood on the stick before it got the skates and at least fired a shot off.
Whether that’s the point or not, was really all I was getting at. I get gas watching Rod fail over and over. It’s personal, too. I watched Stevie Y., one of my favorites, do the same thing. It sucks watching it again.
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
Walker to Brind'Amour Pass; and some thoughts on next season
I actually re-ran the play about ten times last night on the DVR (harkening back to ancient days and super-8 reviews of games). I thought the pass was about 95% on target; but slighly behind Brind’Amour’s stick. On the other hand, I also watched Brind’Amour fail to use good body control and failed to turn to accept the pass and he certainly failed to track the puck well. In short, Brind’Amour has hands of brick.
I felt at the time and felt even more strongly after watching the replays that Brind’Amour muffed the play. If Staal were on the two and one like Brind’Amour people would be asking for Staal’s scalp and would be burning his sweater in protest. Still, as has been discussed in other threads, given Brind’Amour’s contract and the CBA, he is going to be on the team through the end of next season.
I only hope the coaches can figure out how to minimize his damage to the team over the next season and a half. That goal is going to be as big a challenge as the coaches will face through the 2009-2010 season until the end of the 2011-2012. If Brind’Amour would just take on the persona of Scott Walker and be the best teammate on the ice anybody would want, all his deteriorating skills would be forgiven in light of his past accomplishments. Get in a fight, Brind’Amour. Fire up your team. Hit somebody and as some announcers say, come to the check/hit bringing evil intentions. Seeing a 40 year old captain on the fourth line playing like a 22 year old checking forward would inspire the team. Acting like a reluctant participate in any physical confrontation, on the other hand, just makes him look sad and pathetic.
Rodney
I would really like to see the numbers with and without as well.
I thought Carson looked really slow last night.
I don’t find him slow (more average) … but I do think he needs to improve how well he turns to skate from his backpedaling. It takes him a bit to turn and get going.
by Cory Lavalette on Dec 22, 2009 11:09 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah...
Carson’s been good for us, but last night he was not having his best game…
by Raccoon Fink on Dec 22, 2009 11:30 AM EST up reply actions
Timmo’s visor… Now you see it, and now you don’t.
Totally understand why he didn’t want to wear it (although I know he should). That thing looks monstrous.
SISU
canes are offensive
For going on three years, the top offensive lines on this team have been unproductive, and it’s reached the break point. Williams scoring has never been replaced, Cole II is no replacement for Cole I. Stall is inconsistent at best and too many of the rest are well past their playing peaks. There’s little or no presence in front of the opponent’s net and if I have to hear Tripp Tracy comment on how well the opposition goalie is playing one mere time, I’ll heave. What is management thinking?
They need to work on their passing.
The might mites between periods played better than the Canes did last night. The game was almost as bad as watching a Raleigh Icecaps game from years ago. They seriously need to work on passing drills if they are going to win any games the rest of the season. Until they stop with the fancy crap and start working on passing better, they are going to suck for many years to come. :(
What could be the most frustrating thing about this team is that they weren’t BAD last night. No one was great, but no one was all that bad. Even A.Ward had a few good moments. They just feed off of each other’s insecurities and end up losing 3-1 to an ok team.
Last night was one of those nights we needed E.Staal to take over the game and he didn’t. He wasn’t awful, but he wasn’t what you need from your superstar. Tim had a rough go of it too, but that’s really not all that unexpected. Of course I took a lot of crap from the people around me when Sutter whiffed on that wide open PP chance in the first. Oy.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
Staal didn’t look that bad to me last night. Lundqvist looked great.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
I didn’t think he looked bad, but he wasn’t as good as the Rangers’ stars. If he’s going to be our star, he needs to outplay other teams’ stars.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
Thats my point of earlier, Staal , this season has yet to play like a superstar. When you get knocked down get your ass up and dish out some retaliation hits, play with anger and pride, just not seeing it from him.
Yeah, I can swallow the losses where we’re bad a lot easier than the ones where we compete and still lose.
greaticepectations.blogspot.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Dec 22, 2009 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
I'm the opposite...
I have a lot easier time getting to watch halfway decent hockey and knowing we just quite didn’t come out on top, than the stinkfest of earlier this season.
It’s disappointing, but at least they’re attempting to compete, instead of completely floundering around.
by Raccoon Fink on Dec 22, 2009 1:52 PM EST up reply actions
Bryan Rodney
Concerning Rodney’s stats, he has a total of five assists, four of which were earned while on the powerplay. His four powerplay assists put him in a tie for fourth highest on the team, behind only Whitney, (7) Pitkanen, (6) and Jokinen (5).
Also, Rodney has only played 10 games where the above players have played 34, 27, and 35 respectively. The next highest assisting defenseman is Joe Corvo who had two powerplay assists in 27 games and a lot more time on ice.
Rodney is certainly key to a successful powerplay, no doubt about it.
GM of CanesCountry.com
Absotively – thanks for the stats. If we could have notched one in the first on the PP, or even scared Lundqvist, I think the game would have felt different.
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Dec 22, 2009 11:12 AM EST up reply actions
I don’t want this to come across as Rodney-bashing, b/c I think everyone knows I’m a fan. But if you re-watch his assists this season, the majority are not assists from a set up power play.
That being said, you can see his value as a passer in the Dwyer goal at Florida (finds him in stride in the slot) and the Jokinen goal vs. Dallas (the Pitkanen-esque split the D pass down the middle). For me, he’s a better first-pass guy than threat on the PP, but also serviceable in the extra man role. With time and experience, he could be a Frank Kaberle-like PP guy (the good, not evil, Frank) — don’t expect his shot to result in a lot goals (either by scoring or resulting in a rebound), but expect him to do the little things like keep the puck, set up a shooter on the point, and keep his feet moving to help break down the D. And his shot is decent enough to keep the D honest.
by Cory Lavalette on Dec 22, 2009 11:19 AM EST up reply actions
Rodney and the Power Play
How much clearer can it be that the Hurricanes lack the even strength scoring to win many games unless they score on the power play? How much more evidence do the coaches need to realize that without Rodney in the lineup, the power play doesn’t function well? This situation is not rocket science.
On the subject of crashing the net, it is also very basic and fundamental: if an NHL player has the heart and spine to crash the net, he doesn’t need his coach to exhort him to crash the net. A hockey player who wants to score at all costs, will crash the net. Sutter crashes the net and is a net presence even at 175 lbs in full gear. Dwyer at 175 lbs crashes the net. Ruutu crashes the net. Staal, on the other hand, is more of a delicate dancer as he weaves toward the net. I want to add I think Staal is an outstanding talent and I respectfully disagree with the fans who are adamant he is not the real deal. Staal lurks around the net rather than being a force of nature. We need to take advantage of Staal’s abilities rather than trying to convert him from a slashing, lurking player into a hulking beast or a sniper.
I can’t tell whether Maurice is stubborn and non-creative or whether he just lacks the personnel. After all, the power play was rotten for years under Laviolette. A clear test would be to bring up Rodney and sit Harrison.
Like many people posting here, I am excited about next year and am convinced the team as a hole is not an awful team. To the contrary, I think the team is overall a very good team with some glaring holes that sink the team in close games. There isn’t anything so wrong with the Hurricanes that Taylor Hall won’t make much, much better.
OK, But
In your post above you say:
To win close games, the coaches and the best two players on the team have to win the game.
Last night was a close game. We were not crashing the net. If it is up to the coaches to win games and the players are not crashing the net, why is it not the responsibility of the coach to motivate the team?
As for Rodney I could not agree more. This is simple cause and effect, he leaves and the powerplay returns to the basement. I don’t know how much more obvious it could be.
It is absolutely the role of a coach to motivate a team. I struggle with that issue all the time because I view things from having played sports and I had only one coach whom I felt really motivated me or my teammates. In college, we all wanted to win so badly it was crazy. We wanted to win when we were in the preseason/summer gym rat games; we wanted to win in practice and we died to win in games.
It was how all the guys were wired. I know coaches are supposed to motivate players; but maybe it is more coaches are supposed to be facilitators who teach very, very competitive people how to do the things they need to do to win. I just can’t understand why the same issues come up time and time again with the Hurricanes — lack of confidence,lack of crashing the net, lack of forechecking, lack of physicality, failure to shoot the puck enough.
All the guys I played with in basketball didn’t need to be told by anybody to go to the hoop. We had to be reigned in by coaches and not incited, coerced, and cajoled into it. It can’t think of a teammate who needed encouragement to shoot the ball. Neither did any of us have any doubt that if somebody came down the lane, they were going to be at the free thrown line with a big headache rather than a free layup. So I am mystified why these basic thought processes are difficult for some of the most veteran Hurricanes. I can understand wanting to be intelligent about slashing through the slot and not getting killed; but really how terrible is it to be pushed to the ice in front of the net. Sutter does it and gets up for more. Ruutu does it and pops right up for more.
Playing for a team that is in last place has gotten into their heads, no player wants to be the one that makes the effort to do some the things needed to win, and have it backfire by being “out” of position and lead to an opposing goal… let other players get pointed at
Ray Whitney said as much about a month or go — nobody wants to be that guy on the videotape. Well, that says all one needs to know about some of the players. Either play to win or sit and enjoy the view from the bench. If players don’t have the spine to take chances ot win, they need to be in the press box or in the AHL learning again the difference between playing to win and playing not to lose.
I understand your perspective.
I guess what has frustrated me this year is lack of cohesion. We had a lot of guys out there working their asses off last night (Sutter, Dwyer, Rutuu come to mind) but I just don’t see them working together. Passes were off, no one was ever home, defense was way out of position, etc. I don’t get the impression that team members hate each other, so I have to assume that it is a lack of leadership.
I have no idea how Brind’Amour leads or whether the C makes that big of a deal or not so I am going to leave that alone. But I do see Maurice not respond to things like a really hot goalie last night. I see him relentlessly screw with the lines. I see him scratching on his notepad the whole game rather than trying to motivate guys on the bench.
Don’t get me wrong, we do not have the perfect team. But I think we could be doing a lot better than we are with some better management.
Staal was great last night………if everybody played as hard as he did we would win every game. At the end of the game Staal was fighting for the puck, he had three Rangers on his back………..where was the rest of the team…….happened alot last night players leaving others out to dry.
A TRUE CANIAC......YES I AM........
I was about to pose the same questions. Why does Staal always have 2-3 guys on him? Is it a team issue or does he just not have the speed to evade opponenets?
Gaborik didn’t make me say wow last night. The tic-tac-to play was nice, but Dubs made the goal, not Gaborik. And the goal Gaborik did make was a gimme. Steve Halko could have made that shot (NY Daily News thought he had two, lol). Gaborik was everywhere as a lot of writers have said but he didn’t execute on his break aways, just the gimme goal and an assist on someone else’s nice goal.
And how about that play where Pitts totally shut down Gaborik then got in his grill after the whistle? Beautiful!
BUT, all that said, Staal does need to step up. He gets paid how much? He’d been playing at quite a clip there for a few games since his return, but your big player has got to step up on hard games like this.
@ Bob – excellent tone in your article, hope the boys read it.
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Actually Staal played so good last night they let him sit out practice today.
He earned it last night, no goals but by far was the best Cane on the ice.
A TRUE CANIAC......YES I AM........
by canescup on Dec 22, 2009 12:24 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Confused
I thought Brind’Amour wasn’t playing at his level because he had 2 major knee surgeries? Now I’m reading he is getting old and losing his hand – eye coordination? Whats next?
This is my first post here, LOVE this site! Gotta say…. been watching this team for alot of years. I have faith in JR. He won’t rush any deals, and you better believe he’ll make the moves for the long term moves that will be right for this team. We have a great core of
young players to build around. Star forward in Staal, star goalie in Ward….need a star d-man to rebuild the backend. Can anyone say Cam Barker from the Blackhawks? They need to make some moves and also need a second line center….which we have. This team has an awesome foundation….stay the course folks!!
Go Canes Go!
by HowieHurricane on Dec 22, 2009 12:28 PM EST reply actions
I don’t want to open a can of worms here, but it seems that early a lot of folks in Canes Country wanted Maurice gone. Not hearing that so much anymore. Is this an admission that the problem is with the players and not so much the coach? Or are things so far gone now that who’s coaching isn’t relevant anymore? After all we don’t have to Lavi’s salary anymore.
by hockeythoughts on Dec 22, 2009 12:59 PM EST reply actions
I think its because we know Mo is’nt going anywhere until this time next year. That’s if we start the season the same way.
A TRUE CANIAC......YES I AM........
by canescup on Dec 22, 2009 1:18 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
of all people, Don Cherry actually changed my mind on this. During one of his “old tyme hawkeat” tyraids, he actually brought up a very good point that there isn’t enough longevity of commitment in the league anymore. Superstars staying with the team that drafted them, coaches having long tenure., etc. Completely changed my POV. I had always liked the idea that superstars should try to stay on their drafting teams, but I think including coaches on this point makes for a good home team as well. Collective bargaining or not, wish it could happen more.
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