The Streak Is Over: Sabres 3, Hurricanes 2
by Bob Wage on Jan 13, 2011 10:59 PM EST
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PrintThe Carolina Hurricanes ran into a team more desperate than they were on Thursday night as the Buffalo Sabres took care of business, 3-2 over the Canes at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, NY.
The loss put an end to the Carolina eight game point streak and was their first loss in regulation since December 26.
The Sabres really needed this game because they were eight points behind the Canes as well as 11 points outside of a playoff spot and they played like they wanted it a bit more than the visitors.
They jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period when Thomas Vanek found Nathan Gerbe open in the slot area. The goal came just 11 seconds after Buffalo killed a lackluster Carolina powerplay.
The Hurricanes tied things up early in the second period when Eric Staal sent a puck into the middle that Tuomo Ruutu chipped in over Ryan Miller. The powerplay assist extended Staal's current point streak to seven games while Ruutu extended his to four straight.
But Buffalo would come right back to take the lead as Cody McCormick buried a shot alone in the slot area. Once again, the goal was made shortly after the Sabres killed a Carolina powerplay.
The third stanza was controlled mostly by Buffalo as they took a 3-1 lead on a powerplay goal by Drew Stafford just 3:32 into the period. Joni Pitkanen was in the box for crosschecking. The Canes had a hard time getting anything consistent going until late in the game when they pulled Cam Ward.
Jeff Skinner made it respectable with 32 seconds left when he knocked in a rebound after a scramble in front of the net. The Canes tried to score again, but were unable to get a decent chance as time ran out.
The team was due for a clunker, but it's a shame it came against Buffalo, a team that has struggled mightily at times this season. The Canes will need a better effort against Tampa Bay on Saturday night or they could be run out of their own rink.
Quick Stats and Thoughts:
- Jeff Skinner continues to be the focus of a lot of physical attention as teams are obviously studying tape and are trying to take him off his game. Someone will need to step up with some retaliation from the Hurricanes to even things up or else the cheap shots will eventually take their toll.
- Speaking of the rookie, with his goal he extended his point streak to four games.
- Jussi Jokinen started out on the first line with Staal and Cole, but then was moved to the Sutter line later in the game. Maurice might have been trying to get Zach Boychuk some more offensive support because for the first two periods, he was one of the best players for the Canes.
- The Canes were out-shot 35-29 and several of those 29 were in the last minute or so. Cole, Skinner, and Boychuk had a team high four shots each.
- Staal led all players, including defensemen, with 23:15 of TOI.
- Faceoffs were not good as the team finished at 40%. Staal had a team high 50% but Ruutu went 0-10.
- Jamie McBain had a team high three blocked shots.
- The team was credited with 20 hits. Boychuk, LaRose, and Ruutu had three each.
Post game interviews:
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Thanks Bob
and you are right…Buffalo wanted this win worse than the Canes did…the proof is their lack of trying to overcome and adapt or at least out skate the sabres…but sadly the canes couldn’t do it…The Checkers at least made a game of it…as a whole team effort…again all this fan saw as the " usual suspects" when it comes to producing,shooting and trying to make plays…Am i disappointed ? yes because the Canes as a team by winning tonight could not only gain some ground, but prove to the " hockey pundents that the Canes are for real and not a just by the skin- or seat of our pants team…as the Canes have played that posistion far too long for this fans liking…but hey…even Bobby Hull,Gordie Howe,#99 & 66 had their set of trouble too huh ?
The moment you write off the Hurricanes,
they make you look bad !!
Good for Boychuk to be rewarded with additional ice time and continue to make the most of the opportunity. Now we just need to get Dalpe there…
Chad LaRose is a great teammate, but Skinner needs someone stronger than Chad on his line to make opponents pay when they spend too much effort on Skinner, either physically or on the scoresheet.
And you just had to bring up that faceoff stat, didn’t you? Sigh…
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
+1
Agree 100%. Love Chad, but he’s not what that line needs.
0-10 is almost impossible, I always thought a faceoff was almost a coin flip. Guess not.
by drifterscape on Jan 14, 2011 10:34 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, Mr. Hot Hurricane is not-so-hot in the circle. One would think you’d win at least one purely by accident.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
by Jamie Kellner on Jan 14, 2011 10:42 AM EST up reply actions
dalpe over samsonov?
any idea why maurice dressed Zac Dalpe over Sergei Samsonov? Maurice is known to give ice time to the veterans instead of the rookies
because
Mo has learned to play the best players for the job. Dalpe has earned the shot, and is part of the future here. Sammy won’t be back with the team next year.
I thought it was an interesting idea. Dalpe has some size and some scoring ability. Slotting him on the fourth line had the potential to create some chances on the fourth line. I don’t know that I would abandon the idea so quickly though. Buffalo played a very tight game defensively. I would like to see Dalpe stay on the fourth for another game.
Don't trust me. I have psychological issues.
I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a trade soon.
As I said in the game thread, I don’t think the problem with our defense is the defensemen but the forwards not playing into the system. Too often the forwards are just watching the play, leaving the defensemen to do everything themselves. This is why the other teams are just walking into the slot. The defensemen have everything covered, and out of nowhere an opposing forward skates into the slot. The forwards need to be covering those guys. I don’t think bringing in a stay-at-home defenseman would help too much. It would be an improvement, but without the forwards helping out, many of the same problems will persist.
I also thing some line changes need to be made for the next game. Boychuk should be on the 1st line in my opinion. If not, then he should be on the 2nd line, but I think Dalpe would fit well on the 2nd line too. I think LaRose needs to be put on the 4th line for some time. I would suggest putting Jokinen on the 2nd line, but he isn’t the big, physical guy that we need there (which is why Dalpe would fit). On defense, I think White and Pitkanen need to be put together again. White has been playing extremely well as of late, and the times when Pitkanen and White are out there on a partial change are the times when Pitkanen looks the best on defense. He and McBain just don’t work together, as I mentioned after last game. If you watch them, they are both constantly roaming around and switching sides, which effectively leaves spots open for their forwards.
The play tonight seemed uninspired. They weren’t horrible, but they weren’t really good either. I thought Boychuk and Cole seemed to play pretty well, but the rest looked like their minds & games where elsewhere for most of the 60 minutes. I tend to agree with H9 above about the potential line changes. Boychuk has been working well with Staal & Cole. Jussi had a very good game with Sutter & Dwyer. Dalpe could be very interesting with Skinner & Ruutu. He offers some more scoring punch, has good wheels like Chad, and has decent size.
Question for the “experts” here. Who is in charge of the defense? Not just defensemen, but defensive gameplan and positioning? For some reason I am thinking Rowe. Whoever it is, they need to go back to basics with these guys. We look like an AHL team out there at times. And Ron, please ask JR if you can go back to the office. While we did score on 1 PP, it really looked pathetic the rest of the game. We couldn’t even gain the zone. The players have to take some responsibility, but so do the coaches. We have some talent, there is no excuse for the way the PP looks. We need a new plan of attack and take the current playbook and burn it!
Staal, Skinner, and ?; almost a NHL level 1st line!
by PackPride17 on Jan 13, 2011 11:57 PM EST via mobile reply actions
You’re correct that Tom Rowe is in charge of the defense.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
by Jamie Kellner on Jan 14, 2011 12:07 AM EST up reply actions
I think you have to give the Sabres some credit for last night’s game. They were very strong defensively and took space away from the Canes all night long. The Sabres played a very strong system for sixty minutes and were rewarded for that.
This isn’t to say it was one of the best games the Canes have played. I think the Canes saw what Buffalo was doing early on and tried to wait out the Sabres hoping the Sabres would come off of their game plan.
Don't trust me. I have psychological issues.
Defensemen and the Defensive Scheme
Tom Rowe is one of the most knowledgeable hockey minds in the game today. He is making the most of the team’s overall talent. The defensive approach requires the goalie and the other five players to be on the same page. It also requires the forwards to come back to help out.
Lindy Ruff is also a great coach. I believe Ruff focused his team’s play on the Hurricanes’ weaknesses: (1) lack of physical defensemen, and (2) the lack of a Ryan Malone type of power forward. Miller is a tremendous goalie, of couse, so forcing the Hurricanes team to the outside and letting Miller see pucks is logical.
The Hurricanes were outskated for much of the night because Buffalo managed to keep them slowed down through the neutral zone. Boychuk has the speed and agility to work the small spaces with the puck; and he had a fine game. If Boychuk had been able to convert the changes he generated, the Hurricanes would at minimum have earned a point last night.
I would have moved Boychuk to the first line, would have moved Dalpe to the second line, and would have moved LaRose to the fourth line. I would not have LaRose on Skinner’s line. I went back to check and LaRose has scored goals in 6 of 43 games. That statistic is unacceptable for a top nine player and particularly a top nine player who is on lines with offensively gifted players, such as Skinner and Ruutu.
Harrison has been having a fine year, but Ruff made Harrison skate and that is an issue. I give Buffalo credit. They made some of the Hurricanes players play to their weaknesses than to their strengths. I am not disheartened or feeling the Hurricanes are a disaster on the ice. No NHL team goes on a 40 game win streak. I was disappointed because the Hurricanes really need to beat the teams below them in the standings.
As far as the power play goes, other than Ruutu’s excellent play in front of the goal, Buffalo clogged things up and made the Hurricanes try to gain the zone by skating in the puck. That approach is how I’d play the Hurricanes every night. Other than Pitkanen, the Hurricanes don’t have players able to do that consistently. By next season, however, I predict Skinner will be strong enough and blazingly fast enough that he will be able to weave through traffic no problem. Maybe the 2011 first round pick power forward will help as well in that regard.
In the chess game last night, Ruff was able to get his team matching his team’s strengths against the Hurricanes’ weaknesses. It was a good strategy that was well executed.
STOP LETTING ROWE OFF THE HOOK
saying that he is “making the most” out of the available talent is b.s. — it is a coach’s job to succeed with what he is given. he has been given four proven veterans — gleason, corvo, pitkanen, white — an up-and-comer in mcbain with some serious skills, and a pleasant surprise in harrison. w/exception of harrison, the other four ARE GETTING WORSE. you can’t just say it’s talent — rowe is NOT doing a good job…
"Mo Must STAY! He's the best coach EVER!!!"
by Capt. Stinky on Jan 14, 2011 7:01 AM EST up reply actions
Great observations, AD, and by Bob as well.
My attention was divided at the time, but I thought I heard one of the announcers say that Harrison has flu. Did anybody else hear that? He has mobility issues at the best of times, but last night I thought they were worse than usual.
I think the size of some of the Buffalo forwards was an issue, just as the size of the Calgary forwards was. Gaustad is huge. McCormick is 6’3" 220 lbs and the Canes couldn’t handle him. Drew Stafford is 214 lbs. Grier is 224. More than a few teams have forwards who are too big for the Canes’ defense to handle, let alone the Canes’ forwards. That wasn’t the whole problem by any means. I thought besides Harrison’s struggles, Pitkanen had a poor game and White a very poor game.
Skinner needs a bodyguard. He will not survive the season if the Canes don’t do something to stop the pounding that the kid is taking. Skinner is willing, but he gets knocked flying. People are lying in wait to catch him unawares and deliver big hits. He’s going to end up with a separated shoulder or worse before the month is out. Tampa Bay has a world of skill and may feel confident they can blow the Canes’ D away with skill alone, but they can also choose to go after Skinner and Boychuk with Ryan Malone, Hedman, Kubina, Ohlund and Smaby. Things could get very ugly.
Dalpe as rightwing on Skinner’s line would be a big upgrade but he wouldn’t keep anybody from killing Skinner. It’s not ideal, but the best couse might be to put Bodie on the line with Skinner and Ruutu. Calgary got away with pounding Skinner and Boychuk. Buffalo got away with pounding Skinner all night. From here on out, every team will play a physical game against the Canes and especially Skinner if the Canes continue doing nothing about it. It will be fine to chuckle about how tough Skinner is and how the hits just make him more determined right up until they cart him off.
The contrast is extreme between LaRose’s predictable, mechanical movement and Boychuk’s fluid skating with surprising moves and a mix of quick, hard shots both forehand and backhand. It’s easier to get somebody with Boychuk’s talent to pick up LaRose’s skills than the other way around. LaRose must move to the 4th line.
Dwyer keeps getting better. He’s passed LaRose by and widens the gap every game.
by curiouscanesfan on Jan 14, 2011 8:29 AM EST up reply actions
Forslund did say that Harrison did not skate yesterday morning because he was battling the flu. And he looked slower than molasses last night.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Jan 14, 2011 8:35 AM EST up reply actions
We should cut Harrison some slack. Real flu takes a lot out of you.
by curiouscanesfan on Jan 14, 2011 12:00 PM EST up reply actions
Agree that Dwyer is continuing to impress. I won’t slam LaRose because I see him doing a lot of little things right, but hie production is a problem. However when his 2 linemates are putting up so many points since they’ve been together he can’t be all that horrible.
Why not try Dalpe as a Center w/Skinner left, Ruutu back to right wing? Dalpe made some smart defensive plays which were all about hustle and hockeysmarts last night, which is to say it might be worth a shot. He certainly has a lot more size than LaRose, though he’s not a banger per se.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Jan 14, 2011 8:39 AM EST up reply actions
wouldn't dalpe as center
cut-down on his offensive opportunities, as he focuses even more on his defensive responsibilities? i see him as a pure scorer…
"Mo Must STAY! He's the best coach EVER!!!"
by Capt. Stinky on Jan 14, 2011 9:15 AM EST up reply actions
I don’t mean to slam LaRose. He’s a terrific 4th line player who can fill other roles in a pinch. He just isn’t suited to the roles he’s currently asked to play.
I like the idea of trying Dalpe at center and moving Ruutu back to right wing on the Skinner line, but I’d still worry that Skinner is going to get killed. It’s unfair to ask Ruutu to be Skinner’s bodyguard. Ruutu isn’t all that big himself and the Canes can’t afford to lose him if he breaks a hand in a fight.
by curiouscanesfan on Jan 14, 2011 12:03 PM EST up reply actions
What is a bodyguard really going to do for Skinner? When someone hits him, he’s going to attack him and get a instigator penalty. I really don’t think bodyguards really work, but that is just my opinion. Skinner will have to learn to deal with the punishment, just as Staal and other NHL stars have had to do.
Staal, Skinner, and ?; almost a NHL level 1st line!
by PackPride17 on Jan 14, 2011 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
Well the idea is that if a player hits Skinner, then later on the play, the “bodyguard” gets back at him with a legal hit (or multiple). The player who hit Skinner then sees that if he hits Skinner, he is going to get hit equally as much or more, so he doesn’t hit Skinner as often.
The problem is that we don’t have any good, fast big players who can fill that role. Ruutu could do that, but as Forslund and Tripp were discussing, he is best when he finds that balance between playing physical and scoring. If he starts getting overly physical, then he won’t be scoring and may get injured (as we’ve seen in the past seasons). What is needed is a physical right wing, but outside of Cole (kinda), we don’t have one.
Ruutu is too valuable and not really that big. He’s only a big physical forward by Canes’ standards. In reality, he’s an average-sized physical forward. Was it ever settled whether his shoulder injury last year was from a fight?
by curiouscanesfan on Jan 14, 2011 12:11 PM EST up reply actions
He had minor shoulder surgery before last season started, and there were signs that it wasn’t 100% before the fight with Darcy Tucker, which IMO was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I think the final official word was that he suffered a separated shoulder in the fight, which healed enough for him to make an attempt at a comeback (coincidentally in time for Vancouver) but wasn’t fully healing and eventually needed the surgery to repair.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
by Jamie Kellner on Jan 14, 2011 1:05 PM EST up reply actions
No, Ruutu can not do that, he’s a physical player but he’s not a bodyguard, and while he can uses his body to help control the play and he has plenty of “team toughness” (which honestly I think we as a whole are showing more of this season but it still needs to get better), he doesn’t dole out punishment and he’s not going to seek retribution.
IMO what Skinner needs more than a bodyguard is another threat that make it count on the scoresheet if players try to focus too much time and energy on Skinner.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
by Jamie Kellner on Jan 14, 2011 1:00 PM EST up reply actions
There’s a limit to what a team can tolerate and the Canes are tolerating far too much lately. It’s plain to the league that they can not only be outmuscled, but intimidated. You can take out Canes’ stars with impunity. Give Skinner a couple of years and he’ll be able to handle things himself. At this point, he’s a punching bag.
There are teams that have enough size and toughness that they don’t need a bodyguard. The Canes are not one of those teams.
by curiouscanesfan on Jan 14, 2011 12:08 PM EST up reply actions
Now I completely agree with getting bigger. As I mentioned before (some are probably getting sick of hearing this from me), I would love to get Brouwer to play in our top 6. I just don’t want an enforcer bodyguard, because I don’t see much use in a limited role player.
Also, Skinner is a small player and not all that quick. This is something he is going to have to deal with during his NHL career. It will take some time, but he’ll figure out the “tricks of the trade”.
Staal, Skinner, and ?; almost a NHL level 1st line!
by PackPride17 on Jan 14, 2011 12:39 PM EST up reply actions
We’re in agreement though perhaps I see more urgency in doing something. It will take longer to add some bigger players who are both tough and skilled. Adding a renowned tough guy would have the disadvantage you point out but it could happen much faster. I don’t like seeing Jeff Skinner catching a hard blow up high, flying backward in a near horizontal position and landing hard on the ice.
by curiouscanesfan on Jan 14, 2011 12:47 PM EST up reply actions
I just look at a player like Bodie; he really offers very little. He has speed, nice size, and a willingness to fight. But he doesn’t score, loses most of his fights, and I would say smaller Canes players offer bigger hits. I just prefer going after some bigger players (with some skills) that actually play more than 8 minutes a night. I think having a big guy that can hit in your top 6 will give him more opportunity to lay a big, legal hit.
Staal, Skinner, and ?; almost a NHL level 1st line!
The ideal solution IS legal hits that come hard and often enough that the other team will see there’s no profit in playing that way against the Canes. But that solution is harder to come by.
by curiouscanesfan on Jan 14, 2011 2:14 PM EST up reply actions
Where is all the Joni love?!?!?
Hey, come on now, all you Joni Pitkanen backers out there, telling us how important he is to this defense, what a settling force he is, how he leads to offense, etc. Where are you today? That was a PRIMO penalty he took late, aye? And that pinch even later in the 3rd, where Vanek almost scored on the wraparound, good choice and execution, huh?
FACE IT — Joni needs to be traded NOW. We will sink ourselves if we offer him what he thinks he deserves contract-wise, and for a guy in his contract year he is certainly playing as if he doesn’t give a crap.
Not that the rest of the defense isn’t playing any better, mind you, but Joni is front and center last night for poor decision-making, poor execution leading directly to the game-winning goal and almost another on a breakaway.
TRADE JONI PITKANEN, PLEASE OH PLEASE JR
"Mo Must STAY! He's the best coach EVER!!!"
I’m not going to blame Pitkanen for any goal. On the 1st one, the forward (Sutter?) went behind the net instead of playing his position in front of the net. Pitkanen’s “penalty” was an extremely weak call. He pinched at the end of the game because that is what he is paid to do. 3-1 game late in the 3rd…he should be pinching. Plus that wraparound was on Ward mostly.
I don’t see how you can single out one defenseman for being a problem in a game where everyone played terrible defense. Trade him and get another defenseman…if the offense doesn’t fiz themselves, it won’t help at all.
by hurricane9 on Jan 14, 2011 7:05 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
blind, blind, blind
but thanks for sharing
"Mo Must STAY! He's the best coach EVER!!!"
by Capt. Stinky on Jan 14, 2011 7:09 AM EST up reply actions
or maybe the system isn't working
the rest of the league seems to have figured us out. corvo, gleason, white, pitkanen, harrison, mcbain — not a horrific bunch, why are they playing so bad?
"Mo Must STAY! He's the best coach EVER!!!"
by Capt. Stinky on Jan 14, 2011 7:26 AM EST up reply actions
did you watch any of those games?
not exactly defensive gems overall…
"Mo Must STAY! He's the best coach EVER!!!"
by Capt. Stinky on Jan 14, 2011 8:34 AM EST up reply actions
I make it a habit not to watch hockey, horrible sport, full of violence.
Yeah, I watched a majority of them. There were some pretty good defensive performances in there. There were some that were less so. I am just saying, the sky aint exactly falling, chicken little.
by wylde4canes on Jan 14, 2011 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
I’m having trouble with this. The first goal was Sutter’s fault? Watch the video again.
http://video.hurricanes.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hlg=20102011,2,647&event=BUF88&fr=false
So if a forward goes back behind the goal, the available dman has no responsibility? What?
Not really, the puck popped out the wrong way and Sutter was out of position, Pitkanen’s job is to either make sure the pass doesn’t get through or make sure the shooter in the high slot stick is tied up. He does neither, instead of reacting he stands there like a pilon. The whole unit brokedown and were probably on the ice too long. From here on out games are going to be a lot tighter and the little things really matter – getting pucks out, getting pucks deep, winning board battles, etc. It’s not just a matter of coming out and working hard, they gotta work smart too. Last night they got beat by a team that executed their game plan better, which was evident the last 10 of the 3rd, the Sabres got everything deep and played everything in their own zone high & hard.
I never said it was Sutter’s fault. I said that Sutter’s decision to go behind the net helped cause the goal.
There were a few things wrong with the entire play. First of all, Boychuk had to limp off the ice because White took him out. That meant that the back checking winger wasn’t getting on the ice fast enough. The other winger was lallygagging back to the bench. That left Sutter, Pitkanen, and White to defend two Buffalo players. Easy enough. Both Sutter and White go behind the net. So Pitkanen did the right thing and stood to defend the side of the goal. However, what Pitkanen did not realize was that Gerbe was flying in. In 99% of situtations, Pitkanen should not have to truly worry about this because there should have been a winger trailing him. But as mentioned, the wingers were way behind the play, so Gerbe just skated into the offensive zone uncontested. Pitkanen couldn’t notice fast enough that Gerbe was coming in, and didn’t make as much of an effort to block the puck coming to the front of the net.
I’m not saying Pitkanen had no fault on the goal…he should have made a bit more effort to stop the puck. But when the only forward anywhere near the play goes behind the net, and no fresh forwards are coming, something like what happened can happen easily. In a NHL arena, after Pitkanen had been on the ice for a long shift, and because he is understandably expecting the forwards to cover any opposing player cutting into the slot, it is tough for him to be able to adjust that quickly.
So basically, the entire play was a huge defensive meltdown, caused mostly by a abnormal line change. You can’t fault it on Pitkanen alone.
You can’t fault it on Pitkanen alone.
And yet…I did. :-D
Your point about breakdowns occurring all over the ice is noted and accepted.
But, really. The guy stood there like a chimney.
Here we are now...entertain us.
So was everyone last night. Except we are fine with them doing it because it didn’t lead directly to a goal.
Au contraire. I’m not fine with any of it.
Was not proud of the team last night, ’cept for a few individual performances.
But, as for that one goal. Yes, I’m laying it at Pitkanen’s feet.
Here we are now...entertain us.
Pitkanen was the final straw that’s for sure. Dzone coverage is wingers take point men and the dmen plus center take the 3 forwards, so the guy in the slot is the defensemen in front of the net’s responsibility. When the Buffalo forward broke free of Sutter (Vanek) he created a 2-1 (Vanek + Gerbe against Pitkanen) and the rule of thumb with 2 on 1’s is the dman takes the pass and the goalie takes the shooter, Pitkanen did neither. He should have let him walk, Vanek is struggling with scoring goals and Ward’s one of the best on 1 on 1’s with shooters. Hindsight is 20-20.
So who exactly was Pitkanen covering? That goal was on him all day.
If they knew anything about the game, they'd be in it
by Killswitch on Jan 14, 2011 6:23 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I thought Pitkanen had a bad game, White had a worse game and Harrison the worst of all. But the defensive breakdown seemed universal. It’s unfair to hang the whole disaster on Pitkanen. He deserves his share of the blame for sure, but a couple of your criticisms are off base. The penalty was a ridiculous call when he was retaliating for a much harder hit from the Buffalo player. The pinching was because the Canes were two goals down and time was running out. The Canes were all taking risks to try to avoid the loss.
by curiouscanesfan on Jan 14, 2011 8:33 AM EST up reply actions
penalty was called because he cross-checked the guy
it’s a penalty 9 times out of 10. the pinch was well-advised but poorly executed. I did not see any other defender getting a late penalty and pinching poorly, thus i believe i can indeed criticize pitkanen for both of those blunders.
"Mo Must STAY! He's the best coach EVER!!!"
by Capt. Stinky on Jan 14, 2011 8:36 AM EST up reply actions
Did you watch the replay of the penalty? The Buffalo player came and cross checked Pitkanen multiple times quite hard. Pitkanen shoved him back once. Then the Buffalo player cross checked him again.
That play happens 99% of the time in front of the net and it is never called. What the referee was thinking calling it that late in the game, and on the wrong player, is anyone’s guess.
And again, there is nothing wrong with pinching at the end of the game. That is what he is put on the ice for and told to do by the coaches. That is his job.
Disagree, it was a dumb penalty which Pitkanen got baited into. It was Luke Adam if I remember and the 1st hit Pitkanen put on him into the boards was an elbow that never got called. They always call the 2nd guy and the fact Pit’s got him in the mouth made it obvious. The timing was horrlble, the lines were starting to roll, and the Canes needed a goal a lot more than Pitkanen needed to defend himself.
Forslund suggested the ref had called the penalty on Pitkanen because he’d had enough of the continuing exchange and wanted to shut it down. Unfortunately, he chose to halt the back and forth by penalizing the guy who absorbed far more punishment than he dished out.
by curiouscanesfan on Jan 14, 2011 12:50 PM EST up reply actions
The officiating is a joke… Anyone see Burrow’s 2 handed stick-lift right into Marc Staal’s nuts last night? Of course, Marc Staal ended up getting a penalty for tripping Burrows as he fell in serious pain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7eLPPUaL18&feature=player_embedded
There is the video… Warning: Is painful to watch.
It’s always the guy that dishes last, which is a retaliation penalty – if he’s thinking about the name on the front of the jersey and not the name on the back of the jersey he takes that one for the team. They play them 3 more times, put it in the memory and get him later when the game isn’t in the balance.
I think its human nature to retaliate when someone “punishes” you. That’s not necessarily an excuse, because hopefully you can think before acting; but sometimes its just a natural reaction.
Staal, Skinner, and ?; almost a NHL level 1st line!
There’s no excuse, on the surface it looks 100% physical, but this is the psychological part of the game. I know what the natural reaction is. It’s like blocking shots, taking big hits to make the pass, and sometimes taking a sucker punch. Who in the right mind would put their face in front of puck going 90 miles per hour? In most cases it’s bait and if you take the bait you’re letting them dictate the way the game is going to played.
I’m still sitting on the fence about Pitkanen, but last night he was brutal. The 1st goal he got mesmerized by the puck and neither blocked the pass or tied up Gerbe, he didn’t do his job. The penalty he took in the 3rd was undisciplined and played a key role in the loss. Bad night on his part. Harrison and McBain weren’t great either and I thought Gleason looked tired and slow. You win and lose as a team but the d core definitely had an off night.
+1
everybody was bad. my ongoing diatribe about Pits is that he is having more off-nights over the past couple of seasons than on-nights. Now, that said, it could mean they need to cut-down on his minutes; i notice A LOT of his boo-boos come late, it could mean he’s getting older and his body is not responding as well, although his minutes are the same…
"Mo Must STAY! He's the best coach EVER!!!"
by Capt. Stinky on Jan 14, 2011 9:17 AM EST up reply actions
I actually think he needs more minutes and what’s baffling about him is he may play 26min, get a goal and 2 assists on Saturday. He needs to be more consistent and be more mindful of his actions because his play hurt the team last night. I don’t know why they don’t bench him after he takes a dumb penalty like last night, it seems Rowe lets him do whatever he wants without consequence.
They probably continue to let him play because the rest of our Defense looks like utter crap also. White looked awful last night, McBain continues to look like the most predictable D in the NHL, and Gleason looks slower every game.
When Harrison looks like one of the most consistent D on the team, it is bad news bears.
I do wonder why McBain hardly ever unleashes his slap shot. Everything is a wrister from him. Maybe I am mistaken, but I thought last year he scored on a few slap shots.
Staal, Skinner, and ?; almost a NHL level 1st line!
Don’t know McBain’s motives, but sometimes he looks as though he’s trying to find a hole that he can sneak a shot through and when he finds one he does a quick wrist shot before the hole can close.
by curiouscanesfan on Jan 14, 2011 2:17 PM EST up reply actions
Is it possible the whole defensive corps has been battling flu? The play has gotten sick. Maybe it’s because the players are sick. It’s weird that everybody looked bad at the same time.
by curiouscanesfan on Jan 14, 2011 2:38 PM EST up reply actions
It seems weird that they allow a player who has the flu sweat and pant and everything within inches of other people for hours. Perhaps since a few players do have it, they aren’t worried about that?
Harrison was the only one who was mentioned, and I doubt he has influenza, which is pretty debilitating. Half the time when they say “flu” they’re talking about a stomach bug. If he had real flu they’d keep him (and others) away from the rest of the team fer sherr.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
by Jamie Kellner on Jan 14, 2011 6:26 PM EST up reply actions
Pitkinen is 27, which should be right in his prime physical years as a hockey player.
I think you are right on about him having more off nights than not , could be minutes, but with his skating stride I doubt he exerts too much effort all the time, and that is not a knock on him but a compliment to his great skating ability.
we need to trade Joni and Samsonov. They’ve done a great service to the team in the past, but it’s time for them to go.
Jim Rutherford is a moron.
Some would agree
with you…and others here won’t…gee it’s a good thing we weren’t talking about the price of gas or heating oil huh ?? there’d be alot of flamng going on…LOl
The moment you write off the Hurricanes,
they make you look bad !!
by CaniacSteve on Jan 14, 2011 10:16 AM EST up reply actions
off topic a lil- Rookies
http://www.nhl.com/ice/rookies.htm#?navid=nav-ply-rkies. Skinner has a big lead in points but was overcom in assist by Fowler and he is catching up to Couture in goals but T Hall is catching up to Skins in goals with 2 goals and a assist last night.
by jerry6racing on Jan 14, 2011 12:45 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Couture out with injury for the forseeable future. Hall has been extremely streaky, most of his points have come in 2-3 point games. Skinner has been by far the most consistent Rookie scorer.
One of Couture’s goals was an empty netter.
by curiouscanesfan on Jan 14, 2011 12:52 PM EST up reply actions
I meant one of Hall's goals last night was an empty netter. Sorry.
by curiouscanesfan on Jan 14, 2011 12:52 PM EST up reply actions
Ya and I think I read something saying he was centering the first line
by jerry6racing on Jan 14, 2011 3:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
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