Carolina Stays Hot: Hurricanes 5, Rangers 1
by Bob Wage on Jan 28, 2010 7:00 AM EST
Email
PrintThe Carolina Hurricanes won their third game of their last four and their second in a row by a healthy score of 5-1, as they handed the New York Rangers their fourth loss in a row last night at Madison Square Garden.
Sergei Samsonov scored two goals, Ray Whitney extended his scoring streak to six games, and Eric Staal knocked in two goals, giving him seven in four games since being promoted to team captain.
The Canes put a special emphasis on starting out better this game and that is exactly what they were able to do. Just three minutes and change into it, Patrick Dwyer tipped in a Joni Pitkanen shot to put the visitors up 1-0. Eric Staal would slip one past Henrik Lundqvist 25 seconds later, and the Canes had a two goal lead before the four minute mark.
The Rangers tried to make things interesting when Ryan Callahan scored just a minute into the second period, but Sergei Samsonov would answer just 41 seconds later as the winger redirected an Andrew Alberts pass into the net to put the Canes back up by two.
Samsonov scored his second of the game at the 7:51 mark of the third and Staal closed things out with a rocket of a slapper from the point during a 5-on-3 advantage.
Cam Ward stopped 37 of 38 shots and played another very solid game in net. He had yet another highlight reel stopper in this game when he dove along the goal line and used his stick to keep out a point blank attempt.
Carolina will have an optional skate in the morning as they take on the New York Islanders at the RBC starting at 7.
Game Notes:
- The Canes were credited with 27 hits led by Aaron Ward with six, Andrew Alberts with five, and Niclas Wallin with four.
- The scoring challenged Hurricanes now have scored 17 goals in their last four games.
- Eric Staal has 35 points in 28 games since returning from injury. That places him among the league leaders during that time frame.
- Sergei Samsonov now has three goals in the last four games since returning from his injury.
- The scoring of this game was spread out as 10 different Canes earned points.
- The boys chipped in with 13 blocked shots in front of Ward. Niclas Wallin and Andrew Alberts had three apiece.
- Brandon Sutter had the best faceoff percentage for both teams as he won 69% of his draws. (9 of 13).
The win gives the team a total of 41 points which is three more than West bottom dweller Edmonton, but three points lower than Toronto, the team immediately ahead of the Canes in the East.
40 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Well now..MSG sounded like a funeral parlor, sorta dead 7 quiet & even ol sean avery played more hockey than being a thug…a great effort by the Canes last night!! Even the LaRose,Sutter & Tlusty line kept digging and hustling and as it was called on the broadcast last night " part of a 5 man checking line…which seemed to work …duh !!
but over all a great effort…but I’m a fan…what would i know ? Go Canes !!
If you think you can't, you won't !
I’m in shock, but loving every minute of it. So glad for Sammie as he is still my favorite player. His first goal was a little anti-climatic as it just seemed rather easy. It’s like he shrugged and had that look like “too easy.”
check the three stars on nhl .com I tired to paste the pic in here but it would not let me…..
by wylde4canes on Jan 28, 2010 11:29 AM EST up reply actions
Here ya go:
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
by Jamie Kellner on Jan 28, 2010 3:51 PM EST up reply actions
Hah
Beat me to it, I was about to post it.
by Raccoon Fink on Jan 28, 2010 3:52 PM EST up reply actions
Great game, Eric Staal is in fire right now! His power play goal and 2nd of the night was pure beauty! I like the fact that this team doesn’t have any quit! They’re sending me to bed happy every night they win, and playing with great effort, and that’s all I ask for! Sutter’s line is great too, Forslund (or maybe it was Tripp) said Sutter’s was skating with some authority and that he was “all over the ice”. They aren’t lying about that! Definatley an awsome checking line.. and might not be that far off from being a goal scoring threat!
Let the new era of Hurricanes hockey.... begin!
by 3yrsnoplayoffs? on Jan 28, 2010 9:22 AM EST reply actions
Oh, I never even mentioned the one guy that keeps us in these games…. Cam Ward! Cam is finding his rythym and making big saves look easy! Cam rocks, that’s all I gotta say! He’s really got his glove working some magic. He is knocking on the door of a shut-out and maybe tonight (hope I don’t jinx him!) is the night! Go Canes!!
Let the new era of Hurricanes hockey.... begin!
by 3yrsnoplayoffs? on Jan 28, 2010 9:35 AM EST reply actions
Well not to be all Debbie Downer but NYR’s played awful first period. And their goalie ‘King’ Henrik has been downgraded to Duke.
‘Canes won because Cam was better. Once R’s woke up they got a ton of good shots and too many late PP’s. But the guys fast start was nice. LaRose played great. We all had him traded a month ago.
Cam Ward is solid.
Cam Ward I think is once again back to playing at his best. I’m glad we have him and I hope we keep him till he retires. I don’t want to put him on that pedastdal, but he’ll be a Hall of Famer one day. He looks up to his idol Martin Brodeur, but I’m sure Martin Brodeur thinks that Cam is one of the greatest younger goalies in the league. I think he is. :)
But as far as the team goes. You know what? I’m glad we aren’t giving up like the Oilers. We may not get the #1 draft pick, but still. We’ve got a great team whether we win or lose.
If Ray Whitney does not retire a Carolina Hurricane, I'll go egg Jim Rutherfords car and TP his house.
Pitkanen now has four multi-point games in his last eight, 11 points (all assists) in that span. Curiously, he’s only even in plus/minus over that span.
And with this comment I think you tie in why the team is playing so much better. Your Goalie is playing at his best, Your franchise forward is playing at his best, and your top Offensive D man is producing at his best. These three elements working together go a long way in making this a better club. Couple that with a third line that is really clicking and you have the makings of a surge.
by wylde4canes on Jan 28, 2010 10:04 AM EST up reply actions
A 25 win and 5 loses kind of surge to finish out the season?
"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 28, 2010 10:17 AM EST up reply actions
only if there is an act of God included!
by wylde4canes on Jan 28, 2010 11:12 AM EST up reply actions
6 points were on the Power Play. No Plus.
by drifterscape on Jan 28, 2010 10:21 AM EST up reply actions
Pitkanen
Going back to the discussion (speculation) that came up on the Canes Country radio show of entertaining trade possibilities for Pitkanen…I just look to games like this, or a stretch of games where he seems to be good for an assist a game sometimes. I can’t see how you’d help the team by trading Joni even if you received a great draft pick.
The guy is as calm as defensmen come; he’s got great size; carries the puck with authority from zone to zone, especially on the powerplay; and who doesn’t love the hard shot from the point and the cross-ice crisp passes?
Gotta keep em!
Pitkanen
I am having a hard time going back to my memory bank and thinking of a Hurricanes defenseman who had anywhere close to the natural talent, size, inner calm, vision, speed, and hands of Pitkanen. There is a reason teams are lining up asking about Pitkanen — players with his skill sets are rare; and having a player with that talent who is not high maintenance or a study in sports psychology is even rarer.
Paul Coffey — though not overly big — is the only thing close … unfortunately, they had him when he was in his late 30s and well past his prime. If Ozo hadn’t been so inept in his own end and prone to bad turnovers, he could’ve been like Joni — tho Ozo was always a better scorer. Hedican was also very talented — not an offensive dynamo by any means, but his skating was always among the best in the league, and he was a big guy, too.
You’re right tho .. Joni has all the tools.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 28, 2010 11:38 AM EST up reply actions
For once, I actually had fun watching a Canes hockey game (didn’t see the Boston beatdown). I could get used to this, but won’t hold my breath.
Props to Staal though (and Wardo). Guy has been an absolute beast as a Captain so far.
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
This little stretch has been great to watch. The Canes have been playing like I think they can. I know they still lose some games and maybe even have a bad performance coming up, but this right now is nice.
With the Recent Success
With this recent success that has resulted in better play and wins; I thinking about next year’s forward lineup. Here is an idea of what it might be. I have assumed that Whitney would be resigned and the Canes draft Seguin. I also have assumed Brind’Amour doesn’t retire and LaRose is not traded.
Whitney – Staal – Jokinen
Ruutu – Seguin – Cole
Tlusty – Sutter – LaRose
Dwyer – Brind’Amour – Kostopoulos
This would leave Samsonov as our 13th forward. The top 2 lines could be adjusted. Sutter is on the 3rd/checking line – I think he would deserve top 6 minutes, but that line has played very well together.
Quick Review of Lines Next Season
I really believe Brind’Amour will retire next season. I also think that either LaRose or Samsonov will be traded at minimum because Boychuk will be playing at Carolina. I think if Jim Rutherford feels Bowman is ready, LaRose and Samsonovo are likely to be traded. The new forwards have to take somebody’s place. It is entirely possible Cole would be traded, but I think the dearth of power forwards in the system will mean Cole is not traded.
There are endless combinations possible, but I think the lines may run:
Whitney — Staal — Ruutu
Tlusty — Sutter — Jokinen
Boychuk — Seguin — Cole
Bowman — Dwyer — Kostopoulos
OR
Whitney — Staal — Jokinen
Tlusty — Sutter — Ruutu
Boychuk — Seguin — Cole
Bowman — Dwyer — Kostopoulos
So in your projections – LaRose and Samsonov are both traded. I really think that LaRose will stay. He’s not only a good energy player, but from what I have heard is an asset in the locker room. If Whitney does come back, either Boychuk or Bowman will not be up until an injury happens, IMO. I also think there is an outside chance that Cole may retire at season’s end.
LaRose
Chad LaRose is the kind of player who has so many top notch character qualities that he helps a team. Even so, I can’t figure out how they hold off bringing up Boychuk — therefore, either Samsonov, LaRose, or Cole would have to be traded (or Cole retire). My best guess is that Bowman is also the kind of player who wins a spot during the pre-season; but if not, LaRose probably stays. The thing that drives my thinking is that LaRose is too expensive to play on the fourth line — unless of course the fourth line is used as a third line. Without LaRose being traded or Cole retiring, I am guessing it would start off looking like:
Whitney — Staal — Ruutu
Tlusty — Sutter — Jokinen
Boychuk — Seguin — Cole
LaRose — Dwyer — Kostopoulos
A fourth line of Larose/Dwyer/Kostopoulos could take on about any team’s line (except perhaps the first line of the strongest teams). It isn’t the most expensive line ever; and if LaRose is playing on penalty kills and perhaps some power plays, maybe the finances make sense.
I can agree with your thinking, other than above when you have Bowman on the fourth line. There’s no reason for him to be on the team playing fourth line minutes when he can play twenty minutes in the AHL. Interesting line combinations. I’ve been thinking about these myself.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
I really struggle with figuring out how to deal with Bowman and Samson next year unless LaRose, Cole, and Samsonov are traded. I also see 100% the logic of keeping Bowman in Albany/Charlotte unless he is able to play at least third line minutes; and in that case, have him come up to Carolina on short stints to see what areas he needs to improve to stick. If I were in charge, I would have a fourth line that was a complete, working fourth line and would have them getting 10 to 12 minutes a night. It causes the top three lines to really focus on puck possession and taking advantage of their opportunities when they know they won’t be overworked and when they also know they are not going to be taking 20 minutes plus a night in time on the ice. My best guess is that Boychuk and Bowman are driven players and like Sutter this year, they won’t be denied a spot on the roster next year.
I know what your saying and I think a lot of people here would agree with you. I just think that the Tlusty – Sutter – LaRose line seems to have some chemistry and offers something that the Canes have not really had in a while (a checking line and one that can score). I know everybody loves Boychuk and I too think he will become an amazing player, but if Ray returns – this team has too many left wingers. Someone is going to left in the A. Who it is, I don’t know.
Left Wingers
Either that or players will be shifted from the left to the right. Maurice/Francis/Rowe may well try that approach. Some of the players can play all three positions.
Right wing positions are pretty crowded, too.
Not much room for side-switching.
And to think we were left-wing starved not that many seasons ago!
Next year, center will be a spot of need. As well as the blueline – now there is an area I’m really concerned about.
Agreed. I’m happy with the O (Jokinen could center, if push comes to shove).
Should be enough parts to cobble together something effective next season, and that’s before gifts come showering down upon us in the next five weeks.
It’s the D that needs help. Maybe some help will arrive there in the same five-week period.
Yes, that is what the “reload” will consist of, but IMO it will not be a one year thing. I personally would really like to unload Sammy, but I don’t think he is going anywhere. It is the “Salary Cap” era and moving him will be difficult. When I sit back and really think about it – financially, it doesn’t make sense for the Canes to bring back Ray. I want him back in Raleigh, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see what JR does.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Puck Previews: Ducks’ road trip continues; Sens, Panthers in battle of most surprising teams
- Watch the weirdest goal of the year, courtesy of ECHL ref’s rulebook gaffe (VIDEO)
- Jeremy Roenick’s OK with Blackhawks trading Patrick Kane for goalie upgrade
- Puck Headlines: Rick Nash chatter; Jagr turns 40; Ovechkin too much of a rock star?
- NHL Trade Deadline Dream Scenarios: Whom do you want to go where?
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
