Five Observations: Hurricanes at Sharks
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 20, 2010 10:01 AM EDT
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PrintThe Hurricanes looked like a new team Tuesday night in San Jose, racing out to a 3-0 lead before fending off a Sharks comeback and winning 5-2. It was a crucial win for a team searching for both its legs and an identity early in the season. Here are five observations from Tuesday's game in San Jose.
1. We've said this before, but if Cam Ward continues to play like this the Hurricanes will be a playoff team. Ward made several dazzling stops after the Sharks pulled within one, and even continued to dominate after the game was under control. Allowing 43 shots to reach Ward is a definite concern, but the team did block 20 shots and Ward was certainly up for the increased workload.
2. Let's not discount Chad LaRose's three-point night — he finished his third-period scoring chance and was a defensive standout all night — but if he was the straw that stirred the drink for the Canes last night, Eric Staal was the gravity that kept the liquid in the glass. Staal was single-handedly responsible for LaRose's goal, forcing a turnover in the corner and feeding a pass to a wide open No. 59, and earlier finished off LaRose's pass on the first-period shorthanded marker that was created because of the duo's hustle up the ice. Furthermore, his faceoffs ... 13 of 25! Only Logan Couture — currently the Sharks’ best guy on the draw — severely outclassed him, winning all three of the faceoffs between the two. LaRose likely isn't the long-term solution on Staal's wing, but for a night the two propelled Carolina's offense.
3. Jeff Skinner might be bigger than your average 18-year-old when it comes to build, but he's still not ready to get into shoving matches with men twice his size. That's why it was good to see Erik Cole stand up for him when things got testy behind the San Jose net. It was a theme all night, with the Canes not backing down from the frustrated Sharks. Road trips may strengthen team unity, but nothing helps more than having guys stick up for one another.
4. The confidence issue that seemed to plague the team against Vancouver seemed washed away once Carolina surged to a 2-0 lead. It was most noticeable on defense, particularly on the power play. Joe Corvo and Jamie McBain looked like the players Carolina hoped they would be this season, sending crisp passes in the offensive zone and not over-thinking the play. Yes, the power play went without a goal in four chances, but the confidence built with the extra man seemed to spill over into the rest of their games. Overall, the defense factored in four of the five goals, and Joni Pitkanen — who also played his best game of the year — notched his first tally of the season.
5. Hockey produces its share of déjà vu moments over the course of a season, but it was strange to see Patrick O`Sullivan presented with an identical 2-on-1 chance to the one that he scored on vs. Vancouver Sunday. This time his shot sailed off the mark, but O`Sullivan's creative passing and slick stick-handling often overshadows what is a hard and accurate shot that can beat most goalies.
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but if [LaRose] was the straw that stirred the drink for the Canes last night, Eric Staal was the gravity that kept the liquid in the glass.
Best. Line. Today.
"...they will not force us...they will stop degrading us...they will not control us...we will be victorious..."
Mah blog.
except I keep reading it as “gravy” which makes the sentence really interesting :)
I vote for playing the whole season in Helsinki!
I was thinking bourbon would work too.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Oct 20, 2010 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
thx … came to me as I headed to bed at 3 a.m. last night.
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 20, 2010 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Great summary! I couldn’t watch the game since it was too late for me with my 4 am wake up time so I’m very glad to hear the team was much better than the two previous games. Let’s hope they continue that play tonight against the Kings.
Easily best game of the year.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Oct 20, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Impact of Jussi on Top Line
Cory; How much of an impact on the faceoff improvement is Jussi on the top line allowing Staal to get more aggressive with his technique knowing he has a solid backup in the Circle? Also does it make a big difference on the road versus home?
There’s some credence to that, I suppose. But Jokinen hasn’t exactly been a world-beater in the FO circle over the course of his career either, so he shouldn’t feel too confident. The Sharks have generally been a good FO team, but Thornton and Pavelski are both below career averages so far this year.
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 20, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Great observations. Forgot about that O’Sullivan 2-on-1 until you mentioned it, but I got the same déjà vu feeling you did when I watched it live last night. IIRC even the same decoy, correct?
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
The dog ate my sisu.
I tried to find video of the play last night, but it didn’t make the highlight clips online that I’ve seen. From my seat it was the same exact play, except that O’Sullivan didn’t have to wait on someone so long like he did Sunday.
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 20, 2010 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
You know, I DVR almost all the games even the ones I watch. If I could figure out what I needed to record off my DVR I could probably snag some of this stuff myself. I’ll bet Bruce (IHeartMASN here I think is his user name) has it. He always publishes video highlights, perhaps I can find him and have him include it.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
The dog ate my sisu.
by Jamie Kellner on Oct 20, 2010 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions
He needs to get the Skinner Skirmish too. Not your neighbourhood paper boy there. Showed more of what he’s made of – for better or for worse, but completely engaged and strong. Since so many went to bed, I think it’s an important facet to see from this new kid.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Oct 20, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
ha … there’s a “shark with freakin’ laser beams” joke in here somewhere.
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 20, 2010 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions
More shots from Potatohead. Nice to see Pitts and other D-men shooting. This is a recipie for success down low. Skinner is also a puck magnet and a catylist for his line.
2 years to the Cup
by Caniac233 on Oct 20, 2010 11:47 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
SKINNER
wouldnt you all agree that skinner though knows how to throw his weight around. he seems to not be afraid to check bigger guys
and his skating ability allwos him to absorb those kinds of hits and NEVER fall down. he Nevr falls….
he is so smart with the puck and he is only 18. its exciting
"a bit of love"
Skinner’s ability to stay on his feet impressed me in camp and it continues to do so. I’m not sure how he does it, but you’re right on when you say that he never falls down from a hit. I’m sure it’s happened, but it’s not been frequent which is quite an accomplishment for the young kid.
Don't trust me. I have psychological issues.
I’ll bet it’s a combination of his size/center of gravity, stance, and figure skating training. Perhaps some of it will rub off on his linemates from last night? One could only hope.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
The dog ate my sisu.
by Jamie Kellner on Oct 20, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Right, he’s got a low center of gravity and when he’s got his feet moving he’s tough to hit and pin. It’s kind of like trying to hit one of those exercise balls moving 20 mph covered in Olive Oil
He’s really excellent at using opposing bodies to sort of “bumper pool” himself around and off of them, absorbing their momentum into his (I could draw you the force vector diagrams, if you want :-D).
Very low center of gravity and figure-skating “stay on my feet and bounce right back up if I fall” muscle-memory serves him well.
We won the freaking draft lottery, as far as I’m concerned.
Here we are now...entertain us.
Where’s the whiteboard around here? :-D
Conservation of Momentum principle (m1v1 = m2v2), but with an angled vector instead of the usual head-on diagrams where greater mass and/or velocity rules.
By rolling off the hit, using his hip and butt, he’s actually absorbing some of their momentum and adding it to his, springing off the hit and gaining time/space.
Here we are now...entertain us.
Great write-up! Staal and LaRose showed the same chemistry they had at times late last season.
Ruutu/Cole/Skinner were also buzzing. I really thought last night was going to be Skinners night to pot his 1st NHL goal. ( less the shootout goal of course) Now if the club can get Sutters line fine tuned with the remaining bunch we’ll be cooking!
sutter played with dalpe righjt?
if i remember correctly, they seemed to have some good chemistry.
who was scratched last night?
i heard it was dalpe, but i swear i saw him out there last ngiht.
maybe im seeing things.
it was the a computer feed i was watching (the SJ version at that)
"a bit of love"
Sammy and Brett Carson were the scratches.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
The dog ate my sisu.
by Jamie Kellner on Oct 20, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Why is Bret Carson back up with the big team only to be scratched? Why was he sent down at all if he’s going to be carried as the extra skater. I don’t have strong feelings one way or the other about Carson getting in, it just puzzles me as to what the Canes are doing.
Was there a max roster size issue that forced the Canes to send him down?
Don't trust me. I have psychological issues.
Carson is simply a full-sized spare tire on this trip, since they’re so far from base.
And, no, there wasn’t a roster size limit that sent Carson to Charlotte. Just more playing time and the AHL portion of his contract in play for that decision.
Here we are now...entertain us.
Just more playing time and the AHL portion of his contract in play for that decision.
Net denying that, but 1) Does he need the game time in Charlotte; and 2) the AHL portion was in effect for only a few days, how much money could the team have saved. Was it enough to make him available on waivers?
Don't trust me. I have psychological issues.
He may or may not need the game time, but until Harrison falters or there’s an injury, he’s certainly not going to get any ice time at the NHL level.
Those that are more familiar with the Checkers roster than I am can weigh in here, but I strongly suspect they could use his level of talent there, he wasn’t needed in Raleigh, and, yes, it cost them less to do so.
As for waivers, I don’t think they’re worried about anyone grabbing him, and he is exempt from re-entry waivers, so no half-price deals are available.
Here we are now...entertain us.
I don’t think the Canes knew if they should keep Carson or Sanguinetti. I think the 3 games with the AHL was a try-out to see who came to the West coast. They also wanted them there for the Charlotte home opener I suppose.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Oct 20, 2010 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
“Healthy but not healthy” if you listen to what Tripp said on the broadcast last night. Could have played but with a back-to-back situation and having come off a previous injury plus getting stitches from a high stick the night before, just chose to keep him out of the lineup since everyone else was healthy and able to go.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
The dog ate my sisu.
by Jamie Kellner on Oct 20, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
honestly they shouldnt be scratching samsonov, dalpe or bowman, (or playing ahl for boychuk for that mattter)
its time to make a trade, package a top 6 and one of the prospects for a top 3
"a bit of love"
IMO it would be irresponsible for the team not to take extras with them on an extended west coast road trip. Like I said in the post above, Sammy could have played last night, but had another forward been injured, he would have gone into the lineup at less than 100%.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
The dog ate my sisu.
by Jamie Kellner on Oct 20, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Jeez, it’s Game 5. Patience. :-D
Takes two to tango anyway, and every other GM is busy figuring out just what they’re holding, too.
December’s a good trading month. Lots of GM’s panicking about then.
Here we are now...entertain us.
yea thats probably right
i just have this burning anger when i think about boychuk/samsonov/dalpe/bowman not getting nhl time
"a bit of love"
When is Skinner gonna get a goal? He’s tried so hard and looks 2 be getting frustrated, his determination 2 get the Puck and put it on net has come up with great plays n goals but his stick is yet 2 put them there. Just hope he don’t lose confidence being goal less
by jerry6racing on Oct 20, 2010 12:30 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
He’s 18 years old, second youngest guy in the NHL (if memory serves correctly) and he’s played 5 NHL games in his pro career. Through those 5 games he has 3 points (assists) and while it doesn’t count statistically, he also has a game-winning shootout goal.
Although it may be difficult for fans to maintain a reasonable perspective, I don’t see him losing his confidence any time soon.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
The dog ate my sisu.
by Jamie Kellner on Oct 20, 2010 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions
You are correct. Skinner is only older than Nino Neiderreiter, who turned 18 in early September. (Skinner’s birthday was late May). I also saw a tweeter from NYI coverage saying the scuttlebutt is Nino will be returned to Portland after 9 games… Haven’t looked for more on that.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Oct 20, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I think PP broke it down nicely… Skinner is being too cute and going for the stuff every time. He is trying to make an ESPN top-10 play when he should just be utilizing his amazing shot a lot more. Personally I think it is nerves at netting his first goal (although the Backstrom Shootout goal should count in my mind because it counted as a Goal Against for Backstrom).
Watch the youtube of his 70 goals from the CHL last year and you will see that most of his goals come from snipers shots in the slot. I’m hoping once he finally nets his first goal he will simplify his game a bit and concentrate more on shooting.
I would have to say that I feel Skinner is playing as hard, with as much enthusiasm, and all the while demonstrating what he can become. He has at times, however, tried to skate with the puck and/or through the defense, when he should have been dishing and going, looking for an open spot to get his shot. That’s not a complaint and I have no doubt that the coaches will gently remind him of the speed and strength difference that comes with the NHL. In time he will evolve his “juniors” moves to NHL moves and will become even more dangerous. As of now, however, I am quite content watching him compete hard every night and give it his best (which is so much better than so many).
He’s only taken a total of 14 shots on goal over the 5 games to date.
Statistically, probably only one of those should have gone in by now, and he’s had some really close brushes.
I don’t see him losing any confidence. Seems to be gaining it, if anything.
Fearless, he is. Goals, they will come. In fact, he’s going to score a ton of ’em during his career.
Here we are now...entertain us.
I can't remember
How many points did we decide we’d be happy with after the trip? I want to say 8 points. Great news is, worst case they come back 3-4-0, which for a 7 game road trip with a rebuilt team is really not that bad relative to last year. Assuming we’re in the middle of arguably the hardest part of the schedule, coming out close to 500 would be excellent.
I know 10 points was ideal, but 10 out of 14 points on the road is a tall order to fill for any team.
Honestly, I’m starting to think sneaking into the playoffs this year is a possibility whereas before, I thought it was just wishful thinking.
by chrisbrasfield on Oct 20, 2010 12:32 PM EDT reply actions
Okay. One game at a time. Do not use the “P” word* in October. (though I know exactly how you feel – just don’t set yourself up for disappointment,)
- P word could by as in *layoffs or, I suppose, *anic
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Oct 20, 2010 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions
layoffs? does that mean my job is in jeopardy?
by ECUCanesFan on Oct 20, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Power Play?
We do have a power play, but it is solar powered, and since our games are played at night, it hasn’t shown up yet. Wait until we get some of those matinees later in the season.
Steady as she goes
Too few data points to draw much of a conclusion yet, but 1.1 points per game will yield 90 points, which should provide a toehold on the playoff scene.
So, there are certainly ups and downs as the season progresss, but that’s the standard against which progress can be measured.
Seven points out of 14 available on a 7 game road trip would be great, in my opinion. I’d be happy with a breakeven extended road trip against playoff teams as a season-opener shakedown cruise.
After five games (10 points available), we have six points, so we’re ahead of the 1.1 ppg pace at the moment.
But, honestly, this early in the season, just don’t want to dig a hole…and, we’re not.
Here we are now...entertain us.
more what I was thinking
That’s more what I was thinking. Less saying “I think we are making the layoffs” more, “I figured we’d come back in a humongous hole.”
Probably should have reworded to say, worst case, 3-4-0 is already better than I though we’d be at considering the trip/opponents. Obviously something better would be great, but at the very worst, I’m happy.
.
by chrisbrasfield on Oct 20, 2010 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Thoughts
Good to see Staal improve his faceoffs. As he goes so goes the team, no question.
I’ll throw this out there too… As Cory noted, Skinner is getting pushed around a bit. He as also not scored through five games. Are we sure he is 100% safe from the 9-game cutoff?
None of us fans
are 100% sure of anything …but JR has let it be known that in all probability Skinner will more than likely be staying after his 9th game…I feel many of us would be shocked as "s**t’ if he was to go back his Junior team.but I’d be willing to wager a tall cool sweet tea that he’ll be sticking around…and on a side note note…if the current roster of the canes keeps playing as they have been over all & on the winning side…players like Boychuck & Sanguinetti & even Tlutsy wil be hard pressed to get on the reg.roster short of injury call ups…but over all is that such a terrible thing for the fns that is ?As they ,who are in Charlotte may not think so…
Everytime you write off the Hurricanes,
They make You Look Bad!!
It is Tlusty that gives me a bit of pause with regards to Skinner. He has a one way deal that pays him way too much to be an AHL player this year. Someone will have to go down when he comes back up, and there are only a handful of two-way candidates… Dwyer, Bowman, and Dalpe. While I would not be opposed to letting Daple or Bowman get more playing time in CLT, I am not sure that is the organization’s plan. Sending Skinner back to juniors saves a good bit of cash, fixes an upcoming logjam at forward, and would be somewhat logical. I don’t want it to happen, but it might well.
Cole
One of the benefits of watching the game a bit behind real time on DVR is the ability to stop and savor certain moments in the game.
For instance, I slo-mo’d the entire sequence after Cole’s goal, when he and Skinner were skating back to the bench together, with Skinner’s manic puck possession and toes-pointed-in-opposite-directions wraparound starting the whole Gleason first rebound shot / Cole second rebound shot sequence.
Skinner was skating slightly ahead of Cole and Cole was saying something to him as they skated with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face.
Skinner’s ready smile was broadening even further as they skated, with Cole morphing into some serious conversation with him after what looked like a teasing intro.
I was a big advocate before the season began of slotting Cole on a third line with one or more rookies and letting him mentor, match/challenge their speed, and provide power forward support for what we need to be a big-time secondary scoring line.
I think it would energize Cole and it wasn’t that long ago that he was the rookie on a team full of vets. He has much he could offer in that role.
Seeing those smiles last night didn’t change that opinion.
Here we are now...entertain us.
I felt the same way (Cole with Skinner might be a good match, remembering how Cole lit up playing with Boychuk last year.) I wish Dalpe was up to centering that line. Get Ruu up Sutter and O’Sullivan. For now, no complaints on LaRose with Staal and Jokinen, despite how unlikely it appears.
I get the feeling Bowman will head to Charlotte once Tlusty is good to go.
Not to get creepy curious, but it’s often a topic of discussion who the rookies are assigned to room with. Like last year it was Doug Weight with John Tavares which got some attention as an odd couple (Weight being >twice Tavares’ age) that seemed to click. Wondering who Skinner’s with? Cole might be a very good choice.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Oct 20, 2010 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I really hope Cole is gone next year. I still think the best chances to succeed for Skinner will come playing alongside Staal.
colesy and skinner
sittin in a tree
S-C-O-R-I-N-G
by Capt. Stinky on Oct 20, 2010 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Honestly I don’t get what everyone is talking about. Cole was a mile off-sides at least twice I caught last night on good breakouts and he made some terrible passes straight to SJ players. He did a few things decently (like finally finishing one of his thousands of scoring chances), but he didn’t look that great overall.
I guess a better way to put it would be that every time a great play happened on that line, I found myself saying “Wow, what a great play Skinner set up for ____”. I never caught myself saying “Wow, what a great play Cole set up for ____”. It seemed to me Cole was riding Skinner’s coattails, not the other way around.
Given that line of thinking, Skinner could be just as effective (an in my opinion even more effective) flanking better forwards like Staal/Jokinen.
I don’t care if it’s Skinner, Dalpe, Boychuk, or Bowman on that third line, just saying putting Cole with rookies on the third line will benefit both parties, I believe.
Skinner certainly doesn’t need Cole to activate his game.
In fact, Skinner doesn’t appear to need anyone in order to activate his game. :-D
Here we are now...entertain us.
JJ,
I normally agree with you about the uselessness named Erik Cole, but I thought he played well last night. He was forechecking, skating well, and playing pretty reponsible. He did have a few offsides, but that was probably due to his linemates skating much slower than he was. Ruutu looked to be dragging an anchor and Skinner isn’t the speediest of guys. I wouldn’t say he looked great, but he did look pretty damn good last night.
I want to see a Skinner-Jussi-Staal line! SJS, SJS, SJS!
It came out harsher than intended… I think he played better than I expect from him (He actually scored a goal), but I also don’t think it was coincidence he played such a great game after being put on a line with our best offensive player Skinner.
You dont like Cole? I would have never guessed that. A mile offsides, yeah, or maybe a stride trying to get to the net and take a defender with him. You might want to watch the replay, I betcha the coaches are telling whatever player had the puck at that point to get it over the line and stop dicking around with it.
More Bains!
McBain hasn’t been as noticable as last year, but his numbers are ok by me. Just 2 points could put him around 30 points, but if he stays on the plus side of things, he could end up >+20 for the year.
agreed – already proposed to the Canesvision people and to Mike Sundheim. Maybe you can put up a fan poll to see how it flies?
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Oct 20, 2010 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
this team's split personalities
it’s amazing in one night that we go from being sloppy, dysfunctional, unorganized, and lethargic to precise, connected, energetic, and formidable. it was like a two different teams two different nights completely. i just don’t get it some times. if we played like this the night before, we would have beaten vancouver. JMO. so we can get our act together. let’s do it every game boys. you have the goods. use them.
I have to say i really like where this team is with respect to having too many players and such a low cap hit. Lets say things go back to sundays game and we end theb season a lethargic tenth in the east. We have plenty of players available for trade and we can likely get the pick of next years draft again. If, however, we ploy like last night not only do we have talent in the org we could take to the ploayoffs with us, but we could also take on much higher salary guys due to our low cap hit. After handcuffing himself last year i think jr thought about it and decided to try the exact opposite this year.
by EricinSC on Oct 20, 2010 7:41 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
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