Chalk Up Another Loss for Carolina: Lightning 3, Hurricanes 2
by Bob Wage on Jan 19, 2010 10:16 AM EST
78 comments
Chad LaRose and Sergei Samsonov both returned to the lineup as expected for the Carolina Hurricanes, but in the end, it mattered not. The Canes lost in familiar fashion on Monday night, this time to the Tampa Bay Lightning, by a score of 3-2. The loss was the third straight for the boys in red.
The good news is that LaRose played more like the 2008-09 version, a player who skated with recklass abandon and who had the ability to chip in with a goal or two when needed. Fans had yet to see that version this season, although coach Paul Maurice said after the game that the forward had been skating injured at the beginning of the year.
But why? (more about that later)
The Lightning would strike first, (no pun intended), when Ryan Malone won a battle in front of the Hurricanes net and chipped a puck between Cam Ward's legs. There was a real tough scrum in the crease and it was hard to see the puck until it was too late. The lackluster period ended with the score 1-0 and with the crowd somewhat lethargic.
The second period started a bit better for the home team and they came out with more fire. Matt Cullen would win a battle in front of the Tampa net this time, as he and Eric Staal were fighting for the puck in the Lightning's crease. Cullen's tying goal was his ninth.
But for what has been the story more often than not this season, the opposition would answer quickly. At 18:09, Niclas Wallin took an interference call and at 18:55, Vincent Lecavalier knocked in a loose puck at the doorstep to help the visitors regain the lead.
In the third period, the Canes came out with jump once again. Just four minutes into it, Tim Gleason found Chad LaRose breaking into the clear at the blue line. LaRose made a nice play to gain control of the puck, then put a nasty move on Antero Niittymaki to tie the score. The crowd really got into the game after that play, but the spark was to be shortlived.
Martin St. Louis made a beautiful play behind his net and found an open Steve Downie, and the controversial player tipped in the game winner. The goal would deflate the Hurricanes enough so that they could not get over the hump. Near the end of the game they pulled the goalie, (something they should be getting better at because they have tried it so many times), but they were unable to mount any reasonable pressure or shots on goal in the process.
The powerplay attempts for the team during this game were a disgrace as the Canes could barely keep control of the puck in their own zone, let alone put any decent shots on net. They finished 0-4 while with the man advantage while Tampa was 1-2.
Carolina will take Tuesday off as their next game is not until Thursday in Atlanta.
Game Notes:
- Brandon Sutter and Jiri Tlusty continue to look like the real deal as they put up several close scoring chances throughout the game. Later in the contest when Maurice moved LaRose to that line, it seemed to even make them better. That is a line to look forward to, if they keep them together.
- The Hurricanes were out-shot 32-22 and could not muster double digit shots in any period. They simply have to get more shots on net if they realistically expect to win games, especially with four powerplay chances. Defenseman Joni Pitkanen led the team with four.
- Chad LaRose led the team with six hits. Next in line were Andrew Alberts and Aaron Ward with three each.
- Tim Gleason and Joni Pitkanen had four blocked shots each. Pitkanen had 29:35 of ice time, which will add to his league leading average. The Finn has obviously paid attention to the coach's advice to shoot more. His totals have gone up considerably in recent games.
Question for the masses....
Coach Maurice said last night that LaRose had been playing injured earlier in the season and had been more or less playing on "one knee". It was previously released that Eric Staal had pulled a groin at the Olympics camp and he was, (according to Ray Whitney), "playing on one leg" at the beginning of the season.
No wonder the team couldn't win.
While hindsight is always 20/20, why were these guys playing? With a cupboard full of prospects in Albany, who have shown that they are more than capable to fill in if needed, why are the regulars up here skating on one leg while the losses mount? It would seem logical that injured players should rest until they are healthy enough to contribute, especially as the team is mired in a 14 game losing streak.
It's nice that LaRose is healthy enough to be effective now, but it's too little too late. It's a shame they did not rest him earlier in the year, so that his healthy return would have more meaning.
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Great (as always) post game analysis Bob!!! The game and season in a nutshell, no doubt about it! Go River Rats!, and eh… Go Canes?
by 3yrsnoplayoffs? on Jan 19, 2010 10:37 AM EST reply actions
Playing Injured Players and Grabbing Defeat from the Jaws of Victory
Hindsight is 20-20, but it seems obvious that the injured players like LaRose were hurting the team more than helping the team by trying to play through significant injuries. Virtually every NHL player is beat up and banged up at some point in the season; so it is a matter of degree and severity.
One would have hoped there would be more than ample communication among the players, coaches, doctors, and management to figure out which players needed to rest their injuries and which players could perform. LaRose is a warrior and I can understand his desire to play even though hurt.
As stated in other posts, this season is groundhog day:
(1) play Brind’Amour more than 5 minutes and the team will most likely lose;
(2) put Aaron Ward in and the other team will likely score;
(3) put Wallin in against the top scorers and he will get undressed, embarrassed, and the other team will score or he will get a penalty and the other team will score;
(4) the power play is in slow motion and is without a Ryan Malone mountain of a man to battle in front of the net; the power play was sufficient inept that some in the RBC crowd were booing. Many of us just were shaking our heads at the inability of the team and coaches to get on the same page with the power play. The Hurricanes, however, did a masterful job of killing their own power plays and particularly in stopping each other from shooting the puck on their power plays. Maybe there is confusion about the difference between the Hurricanes being on a power play and being on a penalty kill. The words do sound somewhat similar.
(5) the Hurricanes lose games they should win. I think I am recalling correctly the discussion on XM Radio Hockey This Morning that the Hurricanes have lost 13 one goal games either in regulation or overtime. Additionally, the Hurricanes have lost by two in some games when the Hurricanes pulled the goalie and the other team scored on an empty net;
(6) unlike most previous years, the 2009-2010 Hurricanes are perhaps the worst team in the NHL when it comes to outworking the other team and winning close games — hence the 30th place standing this year;
(7) the Albany Rats continue to show talent, grit, and hockey intelligence and outwork many of the veterans and surprisingly out-think many of the veterans;
(8) Mike Manascalco and Forslund practice self-deception and lambast the entire team for the remarkably poor play of three players (A. Ward, Wallin, Brind’Amour) and the less than spectacular play of Yelle, as they repeat the mantra — the team’s defensive positioning is terrible. Hello, MM and Forslund, there were three scores. Two were the result of bone-headed plays by Wallin and A. Ward. How did Pitkanen, Gleason, Carson, and Alberts get out of position defensively when they were on the bench?
Before long, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear the RBC crowd start chanting, “TAYLOR HALL, TAYLOR HALL.”
4) and why is Francis still a “coach” and specializing in the powerless play?
A
Staals going to the Olymipics, BFD!
When will Staal learn that a wrap ain't really a shot?
When does last place become unacceptable?
Trade Staal for a real Super Star or a bag of pucks, trade him now.
BTW, chanting Taylor Hall and cheering when the enmy scores would be a stake in the heart. Not sure I could send that message, but an effect it would have.
A
Staals going to the Olymipics, BFD!
When will Staal learn that a wrap ain't really a shot?
When does last place become unacceptable?
Trade Staal for a real Super Star or a bag of pucks, trade him now.
Again Doug, I disagree on pinning this on three guys. On the first goal Malone beats Carson in front. That’s what Malone’s paid to do … no knock on Carson, but that’s what happened. Lesson learned. The Vinnie goal was an unfortunate bounce … rebound right off AWard’s stick. Final goal TK got beat by Downie to the net.
You can say Ward was at fault for the second — b/c of the bounce — but how is everything else on 17, 4, 7? Not to mention Yelle saved a goal earlier in the game.
For me, this one is about your No. 4 — the PP was really, really poor.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 19, 2010 10:57 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed. It’s waaaayyyy more complex a mess than just three guys. Take them away and we still suck.
So much to talk about from this one. But first, a little work. ;-D
I don’t see pinning this loss on three guys either. This is way more complicated. This is becoming a regular converstaion about these guys bringing down the team and it seems the majority here believe relieving these players, adding AHL players and drafting high next year is going to solve a lot of problems. I just don’t think it is that easy.
"Last season we couldn't win at home and we were losing on the road. My failure was that I couldn't think of any place else to play." - Harry Neale
by hotchipsnsalsa on Jan 19, 2010 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
Cory, we will respectfully agree to disagree as it relates to Wallin, Brind’Amour, and Aaron Ward. The second goal with Aaron Ward shooting the puck on Cam Ward and then passing it back to the Lightning player was horrific play, I thought. Wallin was destroyed by St. Louis twice. St. Louis explained in his interview that the “defense” was flat-footed — meaning Wallin. The third goal was Wallin being embarrassed by St. Louis, and with Brind’Amour unable to keep puck control or get a decent back-check going.
When one forward is +/- 23 and the young players are anywhere from 0 to +/ 4, it’s really difficult to advocate that Brind’Amour is anything other than slow, deadweight. In my view, having two straight seasons of being the NHL’s worst +/ player is extremely strong proof that Brind’Amour is simply and purely a very, very bad NHL hockey player at this point in his career. It’s not explained by bad luck when no other forward is even close to him in the scores that occur when he is on the ice.
I agree Cory. People have tried to pinpoint the reason for this teams failures and have become fixated on a few players. No doubt these players arent playing well but I have witnessed mistakes from EVERYONE, not just a few. You cant give a pass to the young players for mistakes and then at the same time blame 3 veteran players solely for the losses.
Who said they were solely responsible?
At least one of those three were involved in the second and third Lightning goals.
At least one of those three were involved in ALL FOUR of the non-empty net goals the Thrashers scored in the last game.
Let’s see a trio of young players continuously screw up as much as those three and then we’ll talk.
ummm…watch the whole game and you see 17, 4 and 7 CONSISTENTLY SUCK.
by Capt. Stinky on Jan 19, 2010 12:30 PM EST up reply actions
ACTIONABLE PLAN
I completely agree with abramsdoug about this. No one is saying if we get rid of 17, 4, 7 we are going to be a cup contender. But something needed to be done earlier this season and rather than take action we decided the issue was too vague and complicated and did nothing.
17, 4, 7 are the worst players we have. We should have started by benching them and then iterate from there. When a problem becomes to big or to complex it is much less likely to get fixed.
If I were JR I would have benched the three of them, then I would have sent Francis back upstairs if the PP problem wasn’t solved, and given MO an ultimatum. Those are actionable steps to improve a team. Talking about nebulous concepts like ‘poor defensive positioning’ doesn’t accomplish much. We’ve been talking about it all year and we still suck.
Of course the time for any of this has long since passed. I just worry that the architects of this disaster will still be around to screw up next year.
I look forward to rooting for whoever we rent Whitney to. I’ve about had it with our team.
St. Louis blew past Wallin to set up Downie. Even if Kostopoulos was not beat by Downie it would have essentially been a 2-on-1 because of Wallin.
Wallin also took the penalty to lead to Lecavalier’s goal.
Wallin/Ward were both partly at fault for the Lecavalier goal and Wallin was for the the Downie goal.
What is the “bounce” garbage? AWard shot the puck right into CWard instead of clearing it to, you know, NOT HIS OWN GOALIE, then whiffed on clearing the secound rebound. No bounce, just a horrible play by AWard.
No grinding out cylces – what happened to the Walker- Bayda- Aucoin line that used to keep the zone for a whole shift. It was nice to sit in the North end – that’s where all the action was anyway!
Bingo! Due to the fourth line becoming a Group W bench due to necessity, we no longer have a fourth line that functions as a fourth line should for a team.
Energy-raising, penalty-drawing, pin ’em down in their own end and slip out the first line on ’em, pure chaos shifts.
Need to restore that next year. It improves the entire team.
And an anchored down third line and the “Big” line isn’t getting it done. So we have a rookie second line that is trying,..
I gotta say i liked Sutter, Rosie and Tlusty. Hard to believe Rosie is the exper. man on any line, but his energy matched the other two and that allowed them to work the skills they have.
If Staal is injured, AGAIN. Sit his butt. He is not leading squat and is about as inspiring as a bad case of the runs. The D is terrible in a team way. Gleason, Carson and Pitts all had good individual efforts, but the D was like swiss cheese.
Sami’s return was about as eventful as paint drying.
I think the formula is working towards the draft lottery. Just painful to watch. I also worry about being able to shake the losing effort hangover.
I’d like to see the 50% get the ol’ walking papers lickety split and get to some serious effort and rebuilding. Keep running the Rats through and giving them heavy minutes. I’d rather see 100% effort and a failure out of the kids than 60% effort out of these Journeymen and vets. I’ would also consider 1 healthy scratch rotating between Rod Award and whomever is killing the flow. Wallin, Yelle, etc. Open up another slot for the kids. I think there is enough cap room left.
A
Staals going to the Olymipics, BFD!
When will Staal learn that a wrap ain't really a shot?
When does last place become unacceptable?
Trade Staal for a real Super Star or a bag of pucks, trade him now.
the team’s defensive positioning is terrible.
Funny, I thought that is why we brought Mo in. When a defense only coach has a team that cannot play defense, what does that say about him? Oh, that he is the Asst GM’s(JK not RF) buddy and is practically the Head GM’s stepson. Sounds like corporate America at work right there.
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 Jan 19, 2010 12:27 PM EST up reply actions
Defensive Positioning is Terrible -- I disagree with premise
I disagree with the premise that the entire team’s defensive positioning is terrible. It is painfully clear to me at least that Wallin’s, A. Ward’s and Brind’Amour’s defensive positioning is wretchedly, inexcusably, and irrevocably terrible.
Against Tampa Bay there were three goals. Goal #1, Rodney was in position but was not strong enough to clear the puck against Ryan Malone — who is a beast of a power forward. Clearly, one would hope Rodney would be able to play the body or clear the puck, but realistically, he was in position and was battling. Malone did not hit a laser, he dribbled it past Cam Ward.
Goal #2, Wallin is way out of position and retreats against St. Louis, nut-megging Wallin and forcing Walling to take an interference penalty. Aaron Ward, inexplicably on the penalty kill, mishandles a puck and shots it at Cam Ward perhaps two feet away from Cam Ward, who somehow manages to get the shot, and Aaron Ward then sweeps the puck gently back to a Lightning player who nails the shot.
Goal #3, inexplicably again Aaron Ward and Wallin are paired with the slow of foot Brind’Amour the next shift after Carolina has scored to time the game. Wallin is literally twisted like a pretzel by St. Louis, who then passes the puck for an easy tap in.
With even a D grade NHL defenseman, the Lightning would have had a single goal. I understand questioning Maurice/Francis/Rowe for having Wallin, Aaron Ward, and Brind’Amour on the ice to have to play against St. Louis, but I don’t see the problem as the Hurricanes having a horrible defense in general. Until those three are out to pasture someplace, the Hurricanes won’t really know whether the defensive coaching is bad or whether the entire team is being torpedoed by three chumps. Reasonable minds may differ; and hopefully next season we will see what the absence of Wallin, A. Ward, and Brind’Amour does in and of itself to improve the team. I can’t imagine their absence is going to cause any worsening of the team’s performance next season.
I think that is a good and fair argument. You are likely right, we will not have a true snapshot until the repeat offenders are gone.
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 Jan 19, 2010 1:30 PM EST up reply actions
One thing the whole defense (forward and defensemen) doesn’t do well is clear the puck. I just can’t understand how we have such a difficult time of doing this!
I agree that there are times that the obvious choice would be to simply clear the puck, even if it means icing the puck; and that for some reason the Hurricanes struggle to so. My observation has been that any combination of Aaron Ward, Wallin, and Brind’Amour make the problem more noticeable; but in general it seems to be an issue for almost the entire team.
I think there is so much tension by most players at this point that they over-react to pressure from the defense. Pitkanen, Jokinen, Sutter, Whitney, Gleason, and increasingly Carson, have been able to see the ice well enough to clear the puck, skate the puck out, or pass the puck tape to tape.
Wallin has had time recently where he skated the puck out. I believe Tlusy has the hands and speed and skating ability to gather the puck and figure out whether to skate or pass.
One of my grievances against Aaron Ward is that he is terrible with the puck. Alberts sometimes mishandles the puck under pressure; but usually he is able to recover. It is not exactly a well-oiled fighting machine at this point.
I’ll give you Pitkanen – he and Kostopoulos do a pretty good job at clearing the puck. The rest of this team does not. Jokinen, Gleason, Alberts, Staal all seem to get the puck stuck in their skate when a clear is needed. Whitney, Dwyer, Sutter, and Carson often seem to throw the puck off an opposing player, keeping the puck in the zone.
From game to game this changes, but on a whole; this team needs to go back to basics in terms of how to clear the puck.
Question for the masses....
Why are you asking us? Why not ask the Head Coach……
Maybe because of the perception that nobody in Raleigh knows enough about the near rocket science level complexity of ice hockey (sarcasm) to dare ask the great and powerful Oz any pointed questions ?
by drifterscape on Jan 19, 2010 10:49 AM EST up reply actions
TOI
According to the NHL TOI data A.Alberts only played one shift in the 3rd period. S’up ?
Also, Brindy only had 2 shifts in the 3rd. Which, apparently, was one too many as the final was during the Downie game winner. I would note that he was also on ice for Kovalchuk’s 3rd period game-winner last game with 6 shifts in 3rd.
While not sure about living in glass houses, I think it’s “reckless”…FYI
The train wreck continues.
I am still in a fugue about the Ward, Wallin, Brindy thing….
We need the journey men and Vets to step up and play with hunger or bench them and give the young guys time to get up to NHL speed.
Trade Staal for somebody that actually wants to play hockey here and fire Mo. 2 great steps to recovery and rebuilding a team of winning men.
.
A
Staals going to the Olymipics, BFD!
When will Staal learn that a wrap ain't really a shot?
When does last place become unacceptable?
Trade Staal for a real Super Star or a bag of pucks, trade him now.
>>I am still in a fugue about the Ward, Wallin, Brindy thing….
>>We need the journey men and Vets to step up and play with hunger or bench them and give the >young guys time to get up to NHL speed
The journeymen don’t seem to have the stuff to “step up”. Brindy needs to man up and announce retirement tomorrow (if thats possible), I think that is just about the only way he can help the team. Wallin & Ward, I don’t know why any team would pick up either of these players.
Really we are SOL on all of these players why would any team want any of them.
In the post game interview, Maurice was asked when Staal would return to playing center and the coach alluded that he would return to the position when Staal felt he was healthy enough. It has long be speculated that he’s been playing hurt and you can definitely see it in is face and in his skating. Why is he on the ice? Time to sit him and let him heal. Next year now matters more
I don’t know why they (LaRose, Staal, etc) were playing but they sure as heck shouldn’t have been. If you aren’t well enough to practice, then you shouldn’t be playing. Simple as that. Anyone watching could see that they weren’t (and, for some of them, still aren’t) 100%. I admire them for trying to gut it out, but at some point the players, the coaches, and the trainers have to do what’s best long term.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
Agreed! It also bothers me a little bit that Cam hasn’t had a break since he came back from his injury. I know he’s been playing well, but you need to give your back up some time to get the rust off too. Just in case…
Good stuff Bob … agreed on Sutter and Tlusty. I think it might’ve been Tlusty’s best game as a Cane.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 19, 2010 10:58 AM EST reply actions
I would agree. They seem like they have good speed and chemistry together and without look seemed to have a lot of scoring chances. And LaRose, at least for this game, was a totally different player. He kept the puck in our own end twice after Tampa was trying to clear it out by his hustle, and another time helped secure the puck for a break away in Tampa’s zone from a fairly decent check.
"Last season we couldn't win at home and we were losing on the road. My failure was that I couldn't think of any place else to play." - Harry Neale
by hotchipsnsalsa on Jan 19, 2010 11:15 AM EST up reply actions
Bob,
The injury angle is intriguing. Perhaps there was so much pressure by Rutherford to finally develop our prospects before rushing them to the NHL. The callups were almost a nuclear option.
It took a while for Sutter to be called up, almost grudgingly. Poor play is also at fault, but early on the Canes should have called up a few because of these injuries and motivation.
Now we sit looking a lottery pick.
Last Night's Game
I was in attendance last night (won free tickets for flying my car flags on Black Friday… pretty cool!) Anyways, here are my observations:
1. The crowd was great! Only 2K from a sellout for the last place team in the league – it was awesome – although the only time you could hear them was after that LaRose goal.
2. Aaron Ward looks lost – I saw one play where Pits passed to Ward to clear the zone and Ward fumbled the puck and I was Pits just like shrug his shoulders. It was baffling move even to his own teamates.
3. Sutter is the hardest working forward on that team – and if Maurice was really rewarding players for hard work that kid would be on the top line. He is a great player and I can’t wait to see him in the years to come.
4. You can see why Ryan Malone was chosen for TEAM USA – dude is a beast – and he can finish!
Just my thoughts on a pretty BLAH! game.
Great game for Rosey. Tlusty is looking better.
There were at least 2 plays where we seemed to be about to go in with an odd-man rush then a whistle, and it was Staal in offisides. What’s going on there? Frustrating – lack of communication or concentration.
GM and soothsayer of the Unofficial Hurricanes' fishtank.
Up this week: Introducing Sutter-fish.
Please do not get me started on the lazy demeanor from Staal the entire game. Not only was he sloppy in his rushes, as you have noted, but his “miss” of the open net late in the second period was due to a half-hearted sweep of the stick toward the goal, instead of an intent burying of the puck.
He’s turned into the type of predator that waits for prey to come to it, instead of hunting it down. Not good. This colt has developed some bad habits and needs to be re-broken.
But, this is the stuff of another post. :-D
Oh Yea!!! +99999999
A
Staals going to the Olymipics, BFD!
When will Staal learn that a wrap ain't really a shot?
When does last place become unacceptable?
Trade Staal for a real Super Star or a bag of pucks, trade him now.
I was very impressed with Sutter, as usual. I can’t wait to see him in another few years. He’s making Nakey Boy, I mean Tlusty look good too. And cheers to Rosey!
But let me tell you, when I saw that good ‘ole Brad Watson was the ref…..grrrrrr! At least he didn’t make a diving call this time. But still, that one interference on Wallin?? I can’t stand that guy.
excellent points, Bob
I too am curious as to why any of them were playing. One of the few things I can’t stand about Mo is he’ll run his players into the ground.
I’d like to point out that Staal, while not the game breaker many of us would prefer, has been at a point+ per game since he came back, and a +player to boot.
Samsonov was ineffective
Larose looked great – welcome back, indeed!
I didn’t like the interference call on Wallin either.
i said earlier
on the N&O canes Now blog, that last nights games was a 3 outs type of game. The Canes were Out Hussled,Out Muscled,Out played. yes there were several canes who continue to give 1000% with as few mistakes as possible, and like those who did notice when Rosey, Sutter & Tlusty were a moving the puck better and had fewer pucks taken orpicked off from them…Sammy tried and the Juice, and Joni did all they could. but adly the canes were in a 3 out game…
If you think you can't, you won't !
There doesnt seem to be any set system that this team is playing by. There is limited puck possession, limited shots, one line dumps, one line carries, both lines turn the puck over. The third forwards high yet they give up odd-man rushes, the third fowards high so theres limited sustained pressure, baffling.
Amen. frustrating to watch. The line changes are a particular sort of pain. The Sutter, Rosie, Tlusty line was clicking. No sane person would of broke that up. Then put Rod, Wallin and Award on together?
It hurts even thinking about it.
A
Staals going to the Olymipics, BFD!
When will Staal learn that a wrap ain't really a shot?
When does last place become unacceptable?
Trade Staal for a real Super Star or a bag of pucks, trade him now.
Horrible...
Worst game I’ve been to this season. Cam Ward played great as always, but he can’t do everything for the team. He made amazing saves, but mistakes from Aaron Ward and Wallin and a few others – and come on. The fancy passing has got to stop. They need to work a lot better on passing in practice or something. More drills. All those people who suck who sit out practice should be benched and we recall some more Albany players who can pass.
Ray Whitney for Carolina Hurricanes Captain 2010-2011 (after Rod Brind'Amour graciously retires ;-] )
Going to be tough seeing Tlusty go back to Albany when Cole and Rutuu come back. Seems everytime one of the Rats really starts cranking they get sent packing.
Staal will be the next CAPTAIN........get over it!
by canescup on Jan 19, 2010 11:43 AM EST via mobile reply actions
tipping point
I’m not sure why it has taken so long, but last night was it for me. Without a doubt the most disappointed I’ve been after watching Canes game all season.
Maybe it was the glimmer of hope we were given over the last two weeks of the team actually starting to play decent hockey? I wasn’t foolish enough to dream of a playoff run, but it was good to see them playing better, and putting a quality product on the ice at the very least. Playing with effort and determination? Playing with spunk and fire? Well, I’m sorry, with the exception of a few players, that was just not there last night.
I agree with Bob that the line of Tlusty, Sutter and LaRose showed a lot of promise last night. LaRose showed the fire, jump and grit that we have come to love him for, and that had been missing all season. I thought Jokinen played well but never seems to be put in a position to achieve his full potential. He always seems to be the odd man out in line shuffling. We really miss Ruutu’s physical presence in front of the net, and basic determination to make a play at any cost. Pitkanen continues to have perhaps the finest season of his career, but he is asked to do so much that the wear and tear has to start to show at some point.
Cam Ward was stellar last night overall. The best save he made all night was probably the one he made on Aaron Ward just before Lecavalier’s goal. What a bone headed play by A Ward. Any defenseman should know, out of instinct, that you clear that puck to the corner and live to fight another day. But AWard decides to try to to “tap” it to his goalie through traffic in the crease. But instead of a tap, he unleashes a wrist shot from point blank range. Cam was alert enough to make a kick save and keep the puck out of the net, but was unable to control the rebound (impossible really). AWard skates out of the play leaving Lecavalier wide open in front. Good move A Ward. No, great move! This from a guy who is a veteran and wears two Cup rings? It disgusts me. As best I can see A Ward has one move left in his defensive arsenal – put your forearm in the opposition’s back and try to muscle him out of the play. Never mind that he is so slow and awkward at this that he ends up taking himself out of the play as well. Never mind that he would have trouble clearing a puck out of his own zone if his life depended on it.
I am not usually one to come on here and bash players, but watching Aaron Ward “attempt” to play hockey last night was not just sad, it was disgusting. And I was so excited to have him back in Raleigh this summer. Boy, the Bruins saw us coming on that one for sure.
A lot of folks seem to focus a lot on what we need on offense to improve this team. BUt we are going to need to upgrade the defense considerably as well. With the exception of Pitkanen and Gleason, we have a long way to go. Unless Corvo comes back from his injury and is resigned, we basically have a pairing (Pitkanen/Gelason) and a half (Alberts) of NHL caliber defense on this team right now. And yes, I too noticed Alberts missing in action last night during the third period. Was there some sort of injury? That would be par for the course. We have some defensemen in the system, but they are young and unproven. Not usually the scenario that you win with on defense in the NHL. Carson has played decent, but in last night’s game he got pushed around and taken off the puck an awful lot in his own zone. Rodney has shown flashes as an offensive defenseman, but can still be had in his own zone. McBain has the hype but I’ve never seen him play. Perhaps these guys develop in time, but I don’t see them making a huge impact in the near term. It just does not seem to work that way with young defensemen. So where does that leave us moving forward as a defensive corps? Ward and Wallin are gone. Babchuck coming back? Seidenberg resigned as a free agent? The budget is (or definitely will be) shrinking.
Will we be able to afford help on offense and defense?
Just one more thing to think about.
-m
A. Ward was left staring up into the rafters after that one.
You’re correct about major work needed on the D-side of our team. We started the season about a player down there, forcing everyone to play at least a half-notch above the skill level they could deliver.
Take Corvo out, and now we have D-men playing at least a notch, if not a notch-and-a-half above where they should be slotted.
That help is not coming short-term from within. Realistically McBain’s going to need much more AHL time and Carson/Rodney should not be expected to perform miracles immediately. Third pairing time would be great for them.
We, no question, need a talent infusion from outside the system, via trade or free agency this summer.
Babchuk will not be back…….Seids, don’t think he’s coming back either. We don’t really have a defensive spot open that the Rats can’t fill. Assuming we keep Corvo.
Staal will be the next CAPTAIN........get over it!
Babchuk: You may well be right that Babchuk is not going to return. I think the odds are 60/40 he will return. It’s more a hunch on my part based on statements made by Jim Rutherford than anything objective.
From different things I’ve heard the way he left, he might of burnt some bridges.
Staal will be the next CAPTAIN........get over it!
Jim Rutherford almost never burns bridges; but I agree that Babchuk’s second departure was not the model of grace by Babchuk or his agent. Later his first agent was fired and another agent retained. If it were me, I might well re-sign him; but I would mentally be prepared for Babchuk to split again.
We have three bodies (Pitkanen, Gleason, and Alberts) under contract for next season.
Rodney and Carson are RFA’s and would presumably be re-signed. I am also willing to assume they are added to next season’s roster, so that’s five bodies.
For the seven NHL D-men bodies we minimally need (not to mention that we’re now awfully thin at the AHL level, with only McBain still incubating under this scenario) there are at least two slots open.
Corvo could be one of those slots. But, even that re-up is arguable. Additional talent in lieu of him and/or in addition to him is needed to get us where we need to be.
I think we have AT LEAST one defensive spot open. That would be on the second pairing opposite either Corvo, Gleason or Pitkanen. I’m not sure Alberts is that guy, and I have not seen anything from the Rats so far to believe that they are legit top 4 defensemen – YET. Not sure that Alberts fits that role either. He is top 6 for sure, but borderline top 4.
Of course, I don’t know if Babchuck or Seidenberg are that guy either. And I was just throwing names out there, knowing JRs tendency to recycle. Ward was signed to be that guy this year. Recycle. Epic fail.
I think the door is open, or at least ajar, for Babchuck to return. He does not have many other choices, other than staying in Russia, and I do not see JR getting much for him in a trade at this point. Both sides would have to swallow their pride (again), and Rutherford seems to have eased a bit on his hardline stance (out of necessity?). I still believe in Babchuck’s potential, and think he would be a welcomed addition on the blueline next season, especially at around $1million. Does not really fill the top 4 hole though.
I really hope that we do keep Corvo. But that remains to be seen. I think he will be worth more on the open market than the Canes will be offering – and I still think if he comes back healthy(in time for the the trade deadline) he will be trade bait. Even then, to get him we will most likely need to get a “hometown” discount. Joe seems to like playing here. But who knows? If Corvo does leave we have 2 top 4 slots to fill. The Rats are not ready for that IMO.
-m
D-men in our system
Jamie McBain,Zach Fritzgerald, Jay harrison, Jonathan Paiement, Bryan Rodney, Brett Bellemore, Scott Hotham, A.J. Thelen, Matt Duffy, Phil Paquet. I’m sure I’ve left some out but A-Dog can help clean up the scraps.
Staal will be the next CAPTAIN........get over it!
Looks complete to me. McBain and Rodney are the two puck-moving defensemen with excellent hands and speed. McBain is a great athlete and it all depends on how quickly he develops. My belief is that Jim Rutherford will use the draft to get an impact scoring forward and that he will use a trade to enhance the defense.
Of course, the simplest solution is to re-sign Joe Corvo and to rent him out for the playoffs. I am curious that according to Chip Alexander Pitkanen is supposedly not among the so-called untouchables. Mark me skeptical on that accord. Peter Karmanos mentioned five or six world class hockey players. I think it would be difficult to obtain players for the Hurricanes who enhance the team more than having Jokinen and Piktanen.
The View from 324
First of all, welcome back Rosey! His deke (love the deke!) goal on his Bobblehead Night was a highlight that up until that point was held by Stormy pushing a saucer-rider through the bowling pins for a strike.
This one looked a lot closer on paper than it did on the ice. And, at the end of the day, 22 shots on goal is not going to win you many games, unless your goalie is in shutout mode. How about some goal support for your goalie, guys?
Nonetheless, it turned into two goals for each side from goal crease melees, two hustle goals for each side, and a forced error that went their way. Their second goal being the difference maker.
First goal for them was a nice offensive reaction by Malone to turn-and-fire from the unchecked first rebound off Cam’s pads. Whereas the second goal (first goal for us) was a deft back-handed shift of the puck by Cullen out of the skates of the defenders (Whitney helped with a poke) and a nice forehand to the top left corner of the net. Way to elevate! Staal delivered the goods to the front of the net, not with a wraparound, as somehow keeps getting written, but with a very strong backhanded power move off the sideboards and out of the corner on Ohlund.
Third goal (second for them) was the error goal and I’ve had the benefit of slo-mo video review on this one. Shot got through fairly cleanly, but caught the back edge of a defender’s skate in the crease just enough to make Cam lunge out a bit more than anticipated with the right pad stop. Puck bounced straight up the crease instead of to the corner, where Aaron failed to gather it and send it harmlessly to the corner. Instead it came right back at Cam, who had to make another right pad flash save, kicking it right up the middle again. Nice kick of the puck from skate to stick for Vinnie, and it was in.
Fourth goal was a pure hustle play by them and shows what can happen IF you skate. Both St. Louis and Downie got behind Wallin and Kostopoulos respectively and just executed that cross-crease pass to perfection. Fortunately, we had a hustle play goal of our own for the fifth goal, courtesy of Bobblehead Boy.
Power play? Bob’s covered that debacle well. Embarassing.
Really, really disappointed by the lack of fire from much of anyone last night. Perhaps they’ve reached “acceptance”, too. Nonetheless, it’s pro sports, guys. Got to earn the check.
Here we are now…entertain us.
Don’t look now, here comes Edmonton trying to take our losing glory of the #1 pick!
greaticepectations.blogspot.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Jan 19, 2010 1:45 PM EST reply actions
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