Game 1 Preview, Canes Meet the Bruins
by Bob Wage on May 1, 2009 2:37 PM EDT
in Hurricanes Game Related
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PrintThe Carolina Hurricanes are all set to take on the mighty Boston Bruins tonight for the first game of their best of seven series. The Bruins have been dominating at times during the regular season and swept the Hurricanes in their scheduled four meetings earlier this year.
Of course, the Hurricanes advanced to the second round of these playoffs by narrowly defeating the New Jersey Devils with a last minute shot at the end of game seven in a very hard fought, evenly matched series.
The Bruins had no trouble sweeping the lifeless Montreal Canadiens, a team which had been in a freefall at the end of the year and who had been facing all kinds of internal problems.
Boston has the most balanced scoring lines in the NHL. Let's take a closer look. (I'm going to provide more detail than usual because it's been awhile since we have played against them.)
Their first line is comprised of PJ Axelsson, Marc Savard and Phil Kessel. Savard is the most dangerous player in this bunch and averages over a point a game. Axelsson has never been a big scorer but is a suitable grinder, and Kessel scored 36 goals this year and is extremely dangerous when he gets hot.
Much like what Paul Maurice tried to do in Carolina with Whitney and Staal, Claude Julien split up his top scorers and put second leading scorer David Krejci on the next line along with Habs reject Michael Ryder and bruiser Milan Lucic.
The third line has banger Mark Recchi, sniper Patrice Bergeron, and the talented Chuck Kobasew.
The fourth line is tough, but they can also score. Youngster Blake Wheeler lit up the Canes at the RBC earlier this year. Shawn Thornton rides shotgun and Stephane Yelle brings some experience.
On defense, everyone knows about Zdeno Chara. He is flanked by Aaron Ward. The next pairing should be Andrew Ference and Dennis Wideman. The last pairing probably will be Mark Stuart and Steve Montador. (Ference is recovering from an undisclosed injury but is expected back tonight).
Last but not least is Vezina candidate, Tim Thomas. The goalie won his first ever playoff series against the Habs just last week.
The leading scorers for the Canes in the playoffs are the same as who led them all year long. Eric Staal and Ray Whitney led the way with seven points each. Chad LaRose also had seven points.
Michael Ryder and Phil Kessel topped the Bruins in scoring against the Habs with seven and six points respectively.
The secondary scorers for Carolina will have to pick up their games if the Hurricanes are to be competitive. Rod Brind'Amour and Erik Cole went pointless in the first series.
While Tim Thomas (GAA 1.50 SV% .946), was barely tested in the series against Montreal, Cam Ward (GAA 2.11 SV% .938) was superb in beating the Devils. Last year, Thomas had a record of 3-4, a GAA of 2.65 and a SV% of .914 in the playoffs.
Much has been made of the Bruins long layoff, and rightfully so. It's expected that they will be a bit rusty and the Canes will have to score quickly in order to take full advantage. But the Canes might be a bit flat after coming off the high of winning a game seven in the fashion they did. Time will tell what happens in the opening period.
Most folk in the Northeast have already penciled the Bruins in for the next round and do not give the Hurricanes much of a chance in this series, but the fans in San Jose know that regular season dominance means little in the playoffs.
Look for the same lineup for the Canes that played in game seven at New Jersey. Game time is at 7:30 and FS Carolinas will have the local broadcast.
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Can’t wait!
I see the Canes secondary scoring as the major factor in this series for the Canes. Staal is gonna be shadowed by Chara just about every second on the ice, and Cole/Brind’amour, and the rest of our secondary guys need to come out of hiding.
Ryan Bayda had two goals against the Devils. Come on Cole!
I'm counting on two to step up
That’ll be Cole and Samsonov.
Get those two scoring as well and the Bruins will have all sorts of trouble.
Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!
This should be a good series.
y’all can score whenever the D lets up.
Also, HELLLOOOOOOOOO CAROLINA
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure!
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on May 1, 2009 3:24 PM EDT reply actions
This is a Ruutu game
We need to set the tempo with some big hits from #15. I excpect Boston to come out and take a few runs, so Gleason, Walker and Ruutu need to be ready.
Still not a crook!
Try hitting Chara. That always works well.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure!
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on May 1, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Rosie has already showed he’s not afraid of the goonasaurus, I don’t expect anyone else to be either.
Still not a crook!
Goonasaurus?
I’m not a Chara fan, but I don’t think he’s a goon.
Though he does look like Lurch.
Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!
We should come up w/ a good name for Chara…. Hmmmm…. what was the big guy in that movie Goonies?
Oh yeah… Chunk!!!
alltogether now…. “Bay-Be-Wruth..”
hahahaha…. and Chunk Chara shall be his name!!!
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on May 1, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions
And for anyone who said he wasn’t a goon…. I give you Chara Vs. Cheechoo
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on May 1, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Hello Boston,
Just to let you know, Boston has a special place in my heart. I was in Boston on business when the ’Canes won it all in 2006.
Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!
I won like ten bucks from my uncles when that happened.
Still…..
LET’S GO BRUINS!
CLAP
CLAP
CLAP CLAP CLAP
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure!
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on May 1, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
CLAP is commonly transmitted in restrooms in Boston…. right?
Or did I cross the line :-(
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on May 1, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
There's borderline
and there’s that.
Maybe a little too much.
Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!
Hey, Mateo check out the you tube video on stanley cup of chowder on traditions in non- traditional hockey markets.
Couldn’t find it…. if they were being bastards then I’m probably not in the mood….
Go to Boston and catch some CLAP CLAP… CLAP CLAP CLAP….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on May 1, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
For preverts only!
OK this is sort of funny in a sick way. But thats just me. http://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2009/4/30/860249/non-traditional-hockey-markets
I have no idea what the hell you are talking about but if you find a clip like that let me know, it sounds hilarious.
by Stanley Cup of Chowder on May 1, 2009 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions
OK, I know what you are talking about now. It is kinda hard to defend that one, but you guys can try.
by Stanley Cup of Chowder on May 1, 2009 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Give me some credit, I could have ripped on “the Caniacs” in the New York Times thing but I took the high road and actually complemented the Hurricanes fans. http://slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/01/partisan-preview-boston-vs-carolina/
by Stanley Cup of Chowder on May 1, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Secondary scoring
Cole, has been a liability here of late, at least during the first round. Poor defensive decisions, mental lapses or the inability to get the puck out the defensive zone when he has the chance. If he can’t get it worked out in time, he will not be in much of a position to negotiate a new contract. Roddy and Sergie have been putting forth an effort offensively and defensively but have come up snake bitten so far. If I see one more passed up shooting opportunity I’ll puke That is for both the PP and even strength. The PP has been the worst all season. Where has Corvo’s gun gone? Let’s get some shots and waste time trying to get into the zone.
I think that as well,
While the Captain and Samsonov have been doing everything else very well BUT score, Cole has been off his game big time.
That is why I look to all three but especially the latter two to really step up.
Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!
What cretin has been setting the start times? Tonight is a perfect example, The Wings and the ducks are on at 7 est and the Canes and bruins are on at 7:30. What happened to the whole east west thing? Canes at 7, Wings when it’s over, Betteman’s an asshole.
Sorry, just needed to rant, catch you all on the blog in a bit.
A
Except Detroit is in the Eastern time zone. So, that would mean a 10:00 start time.
by Stanley Cup of Chowder on May 1, 2009 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I actually feel worse for the pens and craps fans- 1:00 sucks, most people up here would rather watch a 7 pm puck drop at the bars and stuff.
by PittsburghCaniac on May 1, 2009 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions
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