The New Dawn of Staal: Hurricanes at Thrashers, Game Day Preview
by Bob Wage on Jan 21, 2010 2:42 PM EST
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PrintThe Carolina Hurricanes, (14-27-7) bring a three game losing streak with them to Atlanta as they face the Thrashers, (22-20-7) tonight at Philips Arena. This game will be a rematch of the 5-3 loss to the "dirty birds" on Saturday night.
Tonight's game will also mark the first for the franchise under new team captain, Eric Staal. The All Star is returning to his original position at center and is reportedly healthy enough to take faceoffs and play defense deep in his own end, the way the position requires.
The coaching staff has put together new lines accordingly:
- Staal, Jokinen, Whitney
- Cullen, Samsonov, Kostopoulos
- Sutter, Tlusty, LaRose
- Yelle, Brind'Amour, Dwyer
Keep an eye on that Sutter line because those three players were skating like demons on Monday night.
The defense will be the same as in recent games: Pitkanen, Gleason, Alberts, Ward, Wallin, and Carson.
Cam Ward will start his 17th consecutive contest tonight. Will Manny Legace ever see action again? He might just get an opportunity in the back-to-back series coming up this weekend, but time will tell.
Ondrej Pavelec will start for the Thrashers.
The Hurricanes will need to contain the home team's high powered offense and they have been largely unsuccessful doing it so far. They have lost both contests to the Thrash this season, 6-4, and 5-3. Although, Carolina is 18-6-3-1 lifetime in Atlanta.
This should be a good opponent for Staal to find his groove. He has scored 43 points in 38 games lifetime against the Thrashers. Earlier today, the Canes sent a "Twitpic" of the captain's new jersey.
The game will be televised locally by FS Carolinas starting at 7. We will have the open game thread ready to go at 6:30.
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Cause he’s THE MAN!!!!
Staal IS the next CAPTAIN........get over it!
by canescup on Jan 21, 2010 3:23 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Love seeing that C/12 combo!
Team Cullen...and I don't mean that vampire twit.
by J'adoreBrind'Amour on Jan 21, 2010 2:47 PM EST reply actions
thanks!
Team Cullen...and I don't mean that vampire twit.
by J'adoreBrind'Amour on Jan 21, 2010 3:36 PM EST up reply actions
While I’m not the biggest fan of the change, best of luck to Staal tonight. And may the Sutter line see results from all their hard work. Love those youngins!
Where did “dirty birds” come from? Lol. I always call them the Trashers
And is that jersey at The Eye already?? Crazy!
It is Atlanta.
The Dirty Birds would normally be the Falcons, but I endorse using this for the Thrash as well.
I guess I could’ve stopped the explanation at “It is Atlanta.”
NHL_Canes sent out a tweeter interview yesterday with JR. After talking about Staal they asked him what he thought about the attendance the other night (@16,000+) he was getting ready to answer then it cuts off. Looked everywhere for the rest of the interview can’t find it, any help???
Staal IS the next CAPTAIN........get over it!
Hey guys,
A new Bloge Salming video centred around the Carolina Captaincy Exchange.
http://www.blogesalming.com/2010/01/start-of-new-era-in-carolina.html
Good luck tonight!
Bloge Salming
ha … you’ll see the irony of you mentioning Leno in your post in about 20 minutes (4 p.m.)
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 21, 2010 3:40 PM EST up reply actions
Bob, are you kidding? Legace might get the chance to play due to a back to back? That would mean this team was dictated by logic or intelligence.
greaticepectations.blogspot.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Jan 21, 2010 3:41 PM EST reply actions
Bingo.
greaticepectations.blogspot.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Jan 21, 2010 3:45 PM EST up reply actions
according to Darren Dredger, Legace is one of those up for trade – so I guess he could actually get to play somewheres else :-)
Turco may be available… guess it depends at what cost, stars are only 4 points out of a playoff spot, one of our rentals could go there for turco and a pic….
Turco is too good to be a backup….would never happen. Even if he wasn’t starting material anymore, he’s way too expensive to sit on the bench every night and never play.
and his contract expires after this season
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 21, 2010 4:28 PM EST up reply actions
Manny Legace has probably played his last game already this season…….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jan 21, 2010 4:30 PM EST up reply actions
Goalie Question
What is a backup goalie? Does the Hurricane organization even carry one? Why do we need one, we pull our starter with a minute or two left in each game? Couldn’t we just dress a 7th defenseman in place of a back-up goalie; we would definitely get more use out of a 7th defenseman? And finally; pay me the league minimum (and I’ll give JR half back under the table) – I know how to sit on my ass and I look pretty good in a hat!
But can you open and close the door to the bench with grace and dignity while perched on a stool? That’s why we’re paying Legace the big bucks.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
LOL!!!
And can you skate around with big ass goalie pads on for a few glorious seconds during warmups?
Yes, I can skate with those big ass goalie pads. I can even flop around on the ice just like Cam and Manny (stopping pucks is a different story).
If you have read some of my post you might not agree, but I am a gentleman. I would gladly open and close the door for all of the ladies Canes as they get on/off the ice.
Then you’re as good as hired! :)
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
Hell, I’ll even go the extra mile. I’ll punch AWard in the face, to jog his memory on how to play hockey. I’ll throw firecracker behind Wallin, to hopefully speed him up on the ice. I’l carry ice packs and band-aids, so Timmy doesn’t have to go to locker room the next time he blocks a shot with his face. I’ll even let him know and call him out when Staal slacks on the ice.
The Canes would get their moneys worth with me!
by PackPride17 on Jan 21, 2010 5:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I especially like the band-aids part-we could save money on medical staff by having you go through dual training. You would be the most entertaining back-up goalie in the league, hands down.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
I would also have a great hockey nick-name – “The Empty Net” – because if/when I’m in, its like shooting on an empty net.
by PackPride17 on Jan 21, 2010 6:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Having Tripp as backup would necessarily get him out of the booth.
by drifterscape on Jan 21, 2010 6:43 PM EST up reply actions
A new Bloge Salming video centred around the Carolina Captaincy Exchange.
http://www.blogesalming.com/2010/01/start-of-new-era-in-carolina.html
That video was awesome! To funny!
Off Topic
Laraque is finished for the Habs season….. Another cement head sent packing. Seems teams are sending a message… hockey is about speed and natural talent. Not so much about the fight anymore. Do not get me wrong dropping the gloves IMO is an integral part of the game, just not as much as when Tony Twist, Chris Simon, Tie Domi etc were in the league. You could look for a fight everytime one of those guys stepped on the ice.. its fun to watch but just not as common anymore.. IMHO
Word is he got the boot b/c he wouldn’t stand up for his teammates. I hear you on the decline of the “fight-only” player, but in this case the Habs wanted more of it out of him, it seems.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 21, 2010 4:48 PM EST up reply actions
I would like to wish our new “C” the best of luck, being an avid fan and follower of Brind’Amours career.. it does sadden me to see him pass the torch on, but I know Staal will shine bright! I hope this is the start of great things ( fresh start as well) for this organization! Now bring us our talented youth JR and let’s go win Lord Stanleys Cup again!!! Go Canes!!!!
by 3yrsnoplayoffs? on Jan 21, 2010 5:51 PM EST reply actions
One thing I like about Staal playing his first game as captain tonight is.. he’s playing in the same building where he was elected as MVP of the All-Star game a few years ago! I hope tonight is a memorable one for #12!!!
by 3yrsnoplayoffs? on Jan 21, 2010 5:54 PM EST reply actions
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