Rangers at Hurricanes: Game Day Preview

by Bob Wage on Dec 31, 2009 3:05 PM EST

It's time for the traditional New Year's Eve game. This year the Carolina Hurricanes, (10-22-7) will be facing the New York Rangers (18-17-4), a team which beat them 3-1, at the RBC on December 21.

The Canes are coming off a big win in Washington on Monday night and should be feeling fairly good about themselves. The new line of Matt Cullen, Jussi Jokinen, and Eric Staal has been producing points since the moment they were put together in the third period against Philadelphia, two games ago.

The line of Brandon Sutter, Tuomo Ruutu, and Ray Whitney has not looked bad either. Sutter has the longest point streak on the team with points in four straight games and has scored goals in three straight.

Look for Cam Ward to be between the pipes again, probably facing Henrik Lundqvist.

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2009 - Cam Ward	24	1308	5	13		69	3.17	663	594	.896	0

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2009 - Henrik Lundqvist	35	2003	16	14		83	2.49	1035	952	.920	1

"King Henrik" was run off the ice after the first period last night by the Philadelphia Flyers, so the New Yorker's will probably go right back with him tonight. The Flyers embarrassed the Rangers 6-0, so you better believe the blueshirts will be loaded for bear for this one.

By the way, the goalie with the shutout, Michael Leighton, will most likely be starting the Winter Classic. Talk about moving from the poorhouse to the penthouse. Leighton has a record of 4-0 with a save percentage of .951 and a GAA of 1.5 since he was acquired on re-entry waivers from the Hurricanes. (More about him later.)

The Canes will need to plug up some holes in their own end and keep an eye on number 10, Marian Gaborik, who had a major hand in beating the home team last week Monday. Of course, they will also be looking to put more goals on the scoreboard themselves.

This game will be the first of a home-and-home matchup, with the next game in Madison Square Garden on Saturday afternoon.

There is a late start tonight, 8 p.m. The game will be broadcast by both FS Carolina's and 99.9 The Fan.

For more information about the Rangers, check out Blueshirt Banter.

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Comments

Very upbeat photo with this post, Bob.

greaticepectations.blogspot.com

by Great Ice-Pectations on Dec 31, 2009 3:13 PM EST reply actions

maybe that reflects my subconscious mood. :-)

I’ll try to be more upbeat next year.

GM of CanesCountry.com

by Bob Wage on Dec 31, 2009 3:18 PM EST up reply actions

I’m right there with ya.

greaticepectations.blogspot.com

by Great Ice-Pectations on Dec 31, 2009 3:44 PM EST up reply actions

Let’s go Canes! Hopefully our new Olympians will be fired up and get some revenge from the 21st.

by Gillimus on Dec 31, 2009 3:13 PM EST reply actions

I hope Jussi continues his “make Team Finland look like idiots” tour tonight. It’d be nice to get the new year off to a nice start and continue the momentum from the Caps’ game.

"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!

by caniacgirl on Dec 31, 2009 3:16 PM EST reply actions

Maybe it’ll go to a shoot out and Jussi will do his thing on the Team Sweden goalie for the icing on the cake.

Still strategizing on this: Can’t we send those Finnish ~~idiots~~ esteemed hockey gurus some video of how well Jussi messes with Brodeur’s mind, especially in high-pressure games? Surely the ability to un-nerve the savior of Team Canada is relevant in any Olympic selection process.

See:

Or:

Can’t even look him in the eye…..

Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?

by Carolyn Christians on Dec 31, 2009 3:29 PM EST up reply actions

Perhaps idiots was a bit strong. :D Yet another example of why it’s absolutely ridiculous that he didn’t make the team. I don’t know how you can be more “clutch” than that.

"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!

by caniacgirl on Dec 31, 2009 3:36 PM EST up reply actions

Don’t forget who had the game winning goal in that series.

Staal will be the next CAPTAIN........get over it!

by canescup on Dec 31, 2009 5:40 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

He sure was the man last spring and again on Monday, wasn’t he?

Who had the goal right before that (the game tying goal – with assists from…Pits and… uh….? who had the GWG in game 4? Who had the GWG in OT in game 2? uhhhhh….ummmmm……)

Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?

by Carolyn Christians on Dec 31, 2009 5:47 PM EST up reply actions

Ah…assists from Pits and Gleason. Absolutely gorgeous.

"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!

by caniacgirl on Dec 31, 2009 5:52 PM EST up reply actions

Don’t forget #6’s first goal of the season from the point in OT, game 2, courtesy of Wallin’s blessing. Wasn’t that great story?

Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?

by Carolyn Christians on Dec 31, 2009 5:55 PM EST up reply actions

I watched that in a hotel room and almost got kicked out because I was jumping up and down and yelling. Good times. LOL

"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!

by caniacgirl on Dec 31, 2009 5:57 PM EST up reply actions

Boychuk Tearing it Up This Afternoon

Boychuk is playing like a man possessed thus far against the Phantoms. He has a goal that was outstanding and almost had a second. Boychuk now has 11 goals. He is blowing away the defense with his speed. Tlusty has tons of speed and moves.

by abramsdoug on Dec 31, 2009 3:32 PM EST reply actions

Tlusty is playing – I found the radio. Anyone have video feed?

Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?

by Carolyn Christians on Dec 31, 2009 4:00 PM EST up reply actions

http://atdhe.net/10166/watch-ahl-albany-river-rats-vs-adirondack-phantoms

John Grahame in goal for the Phantoms. Mike Murphy is looking good.

by Cyn4Canes on Dec 31, 2009 4:06 PM EST up reply actions

Hey – Just found it. Thanks. John Grahame in the AHL – wow and Leighton at the WInter Classic.

Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?

by Carolyn Christians on Dec 31, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions

Murphy’s chrome mask is something on a computer feed. He looks like something out of the Terminator movie.

Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?

by Carolyn Christians on Dec 31, 2009 4:26 PM EST up reply actions

Murphy got his first shut-out as a pro. 1-0, Albany wins.

Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?

by Carolyn Christians on Dec 31, 2009 5:48 PM EST up reply actions

Tlusty looks like he is going to be excellent. He is still getting back into shape. I am hoping Bowman opens up some scoring. He seems to skate well and seems fast enough to me. I have been impressed with Harrison Reed. He has tons of speed and seems to have good hands.

by abramsdoug on Dec 31, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

Oh man would I love to see Jussi put the game-winner past Lundqvist tonight. That would make my year.

SISU

by Jamie Kellner on Dec 31, 2009 3:52 PM EST reply actions

Again, who's going to the game tonight.....

and if you are, are you going to say, “Backyard Bistro”?

Anyone for getting a CC crowd there tonight?

Happerry Chrisolkwanaka

by lcd2you on Dec 31, 2009 3:54 PM EST reply actions

Not I, but was good talking to you the other night!

See ya next year sometime!

The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......

by Paladin6 on Dec 31, 2009 4:45 PM EST up reply actions

If anyone is interested… I just had two of my tickets to tonights game come available due to our friends canceling on us… section 108 row WW seats 16 and 17. email me earl109@hotmail.com before 5:30pm.

Hope to see everyone there!

by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Dec 31, 2009 5:15 PM EST up reply actions