As expected, Tuomo Ruutu and Erik Cole were not on the ice at practice this morning in Pittsburgh.  I was listening to Mike Maniscalco at lunch and this news was confirmed. 

Coach Mo seems to be keeping his options open.  Reportedly, Dwight Helminen, Tim Conboy, Mike Ryan, and Pat Dwyer all took turns on the fourth line with Ryan Bayda.  The top lines were also mixed a bit.

• Staal, Whitney, LaRose
• Cullen, Walker,Jokinen
• Brind'Amour, Eaves, Samsonov
• Conboy, Dwyer, Bayda, Helminen, Ryan 

LaRose has had sucess playing with both Whitney and Staal before and Walker has done well with Cullen.  But the Canes would be missing their two best forecheckers without Cole and Ruutu.  Still, they can win if the above players do their jobs.