Jamie McBain May Make NHL Debut: Bruins at Hurricanes, Game Day Preview
by Bob Wage on Mar 16, 2010 2:14 PM EDT
37 comments
The Carolina Hurricanes, (28-32-8) recalled their number one defensive prospect, Jamie McBain, from Albany today. He might play, and he might not.
Tim Gleason is less than 100% because of a lower body injury and is questionable for tonight. His playing status will be a game time decision. Although Paul Maurice said that both defensemen might play and he could go with seven blueliners. Then again, maybe not.
It's a big game tonight at the RBC as the Boston Bruins, (30-25-12) visit Raleigh. The Bruins are currently in eighth place in the conference standings, a spot the Hurricanes covet. Carolina is eight points back and can ill afford to drop 10 points behind with just 14 games left in their season.
The Hurricanes start their playoffs tonight.
Second line center Brandon Sutter will be back in the lineup after missing one game with a lower body concern. According to various reports, Jussi Jokinen and Tuomo Ruutu will be on his wings.
Erik Cole will move up to the first line once again with Eric Staal and Ray Whitney. This trio seems to have lost whatever mojo they had while together late last season. Can they regain form tonight? Cole is certainly due and has not scored a goal yet in 2010.
When Sutter was out, Cole was matched with the duo against Phoenix and spent part of a couple of previous games with them.
By making this move, Maurice is risking the breakup of a very successful group when Jokinen was on the first line. Jokinen put together the longest scoring streak of his career, (10 games) during a high scoring run as the Canes built their longest winning streak of the season while that line dominated.
Look for these lines, unless Maurice scratches a forward:
- Staal, Whitney, Cole
- Jokinen, Sutter, Ruutu
- Dwyer, LaRose, Samsonov
- Brind'Amour, Boychuk, Kostopoulos
The defense could look like this: Pitkanen, Carson, Pothier, Harrison, Picard, and (Gleason and/or McBain?), or Maurice could scratch a different d-man.
The Bruins are coming off two loses in a row and might be tired after last night's 3-2 loss in New Jersey. Then again, they might be angry.
The teams have split two previous contests earlier this season.
Manny Legace will be back between the pipes for the Canes. Tim Thomas played last night, so Tuukka Rask will probably get the call for Beantown tonight.
Will McBain play? Who will sit if Tim Gleason is ready to go? Can the Canes start up another winning streak?
Come to the rink tonight and all questions will be answered. The first 15,000 fans will receive a poster of Carolina's Olympic participants, (Gleason, Pitkanen, Ruutu, and Staal). The team will also be selling 200 "mystery" Shamrock Pucks at the game. For more information, check this link.
FS Carolinas will have the local telecast starting at 7 p.m. We will have the open thread cranked up at 6:30.
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tim thomas was pulled last night after giving up 3 goals in the first. Rask is not rested but he was perfect in 40 mintes. Intersting to see who ‘gets the nod’. Hard to type on cell ….sorry for typos.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
Last night was a hard fought affair for Boston. they spent a lot of time in the third period forechecking aggressively. Almost paid off as they pulled within one, but Brodeur shut the door and that was that. Boston will be tired, no doubt, but I look for a reall aggresive first period from them. If we can match their first period effort, I like our chances in the second and third.
this is also the 5th game of a 5-game roadtrip, so I think you’re right wylde about the B’s getting weaker as the game goes on. I also am reading a lot about the big game in Boston when the Penguins and Matt Cooke are in town. Expectations of resolving the hit on Savard the Ol’ Time Hockey way. Let’s hope that’s distracting.
I do Seidenberg playing a role tonight.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Mar 16, 2010 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Didn’t start with a capital “T”. No indent on the second paragraph….
‘splain doin’ Seids to me slow like!
:-o
Just messin’, rare I get such a clear shot.
A
Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.
He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors
We must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately
Too funny! Home again. That would be "I do see Seidenberg playing a role tonight.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Mar 16, 2010 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah – it was a lot like the Jussi .02 sec goal vs Brodeur. Slapshot by Seidenberg, from the same location, Bergeron deflects (playing the role of Jussi). About 1 minute left.
There was a great piece in the Boston Globe about how much Julien like Seids you might like.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Mar 16, 2010 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions
elskling and I watched a bit of the Bruins/Devils game last night, which was intense, and noted the much-anticipated Thursday night smackdown between Bruin/Penguins.
Were hoping that we might catch them a bit down tonight, expecting an easier row to hoe than those other two games and being the second of the back-to-back for them.
But, then there’s still that revenge factor from last season’s playoffs, plus they REALLY need a W. So, agree that we weather the storm of the first period, and then see what the next two periods bring.
It’s actually the 7th of a 7-game roadtrip. Here’s the NESN game preview. They’re all hyped about the game vs Matt Cooke on Thursday too. No word yet on who will start in goal.
The Bruins’ Official Site blogger is giving regular live updates and supposedly the players were to talk to the press at 4:15 (15 mins ago) and goalie would be announced then. Neither option (Rask vs TT) is great for them given the late night last night, and Thomas’ poor performance last night (and he might have some bad memories of the RBC from May 09 – but wait that was when he had Yelle and Aaron Ward.)
If Thomas goes, Tripp will be in fine form. The Bingo’s will be flying.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Mar 16, 2010 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
ISS Rankings
Just came out- 1-5: Seguin, Hall, Fowler, Tarasenko, Gormley. Not surprised by the names in there just the order.
Seguin ended up tying Hall in points, from what I read somewhere, but it was in part due to the fact that Hall missed the last two games of the season. thanks for posting this, btw!
at the same time … Hall played with superior teammates.
by Cory Lavalette on Mar 16, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
No doubt. Windsor is much superior to Plymouth. I have to figure that’s why the nod went to Seguin over Hall. Although, as close as both are I think the decision will come down to a teams need at a certain position (wing vs center), but now I’m way way way off topic.
I just wish JR would have given up Ray Whitney for Lent.
Why break up the top line of 13-12-36? Have we forgotten Jussi is leading the team in goals and points? Maybe I’m just not a huge Erik Cole fan, but this move makes me scratch my head?
Along with the rest of us. I mean, I like the 2 Finns playing with Sutter, but that 13-12-36 line was really winning us some games.
by HinesCatchUp23 on Mar 16, 2010 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe they don’t necessarily want to win games? Maybe trying to boost Cole’s value for draft day trade? That’s what I’m hoping at least.
In my opinion playing next to Staal/Whitney or Sutter/Ruutu is really a toss up on most nights. Depends on how hard Staal is going to play. I’d probably want Jussi/Sutter/Ruutu on most nights though.
:wink, wink:
Here’s a theory: Maybe the Brandon Sutter Finnwich is really the first line, but it would hurt Staal’s fragile psyche to say that out loud. Let’s all check the shift count and ice-time after the game.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Mar 16, 2010 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
“Finnwich”
Any vol.’s for being the cheese?
I’m with D PArker et al. I love Sutter, but Staal was finaly playing, the Juice was loose and Ray was plugging in well. Maybe it’s the anti-Mo in me but, this guy could screw up getting hung (hmmm, Fruedian?). It seems like when something is clicking, Mo scrambles the lines.
While I am biased and think Cole sucks. Why in the name of sanity would you take a goaless dude like Cole and break up one of, if not the best line? That said, I’d look for the Sutter line to be good.
My big question is if you can plug a turd like Cole into a Staal line, why not put him and Sutter together a few games. I think Sutter centering Staal and JUssi would be pretty good.
Oh well. Mo and JR seem to enjoy ripping the heart out of fans and players.
A
Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.
He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors
We must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately
I was REALLY liking 16 between 15 and 59 too. Mo can be trying at times. Hopefully this little tinkering will stop.
Then again, I’m remembering now that Cole was nailed in that 2nd game of the season in Boston (broke his leg). Then he was out for the game here in January. Maybe Erik’s looking to exact some revenge by helping his linemates put it in the net.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Mar 16, 2010 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Gleason not being 100% is a pretty soft excuse for not playing tonight.
He needs to man-up and show some leadership.
I’ve given up on him scoring another goal this season.
Eric Staal...Team Canada first line
by drifterscape on Mar 16, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I heard the Canes might play both Gleason and McBain, and scratch someone else. Now that we don’t have AWard to hate on, it’s hard to know who. My vote would be Picard, since Harrison is willing drop the gloves with just about anyone, IIRC, no matter how ill-advised.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Mar 16, 2010 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions
We need Walker tonight!
Walker could definitely give Boston a shot in the arm (or face or wherever) just when we need it. I think the bad blood between these teams is over – last year is last year.
That said, if the Canes drop the game tonight, it will be a real uphill climb. Give the black knights another taste of the action, then send them up to Albany and let them battle for the Calder Cup. Will be a good experience to play playoff intensity hockey. It’s a shame Leighton isn’t here anymore, we could send him back down, although I don’t think he can repeat his 94-save effort against the Phantoms.
I am guessing the Hurricanes either dress 7 defensemen or Harrison sits. For me, there is nobody on the Hurricanes defense who is even closing to deserving the ridicule of A. Ward (who by the way managed to grab two separate two minute minor penalties in the course of twenty seconds of TOI (sat for one penalty and then got a penalty for interference as he came out of the penalty box).
Olympic Poster
We should have an extra Olympian poster if anyone wants it. Just let me know and we’ll figure out how to get it to you.
I’ll have one, and likely two. Let me know and I’ll get it to you.
I just wish JR would have given up Ray Whitney for Lent.
Olympic poster
C-Leaguer and Cyn4Canes, I would love to have one. Lets work it out!
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