Hurricanes At Capitals: Game Day Preview

by Bob Wage on Oct 8, 2011 2:30 PM EDT in Carolina Hurricanes Game Day Previews

The Carolina Hurricanes, (0-1-0) are visiting the nation's capital to do battle with the Washington Capitals, (0-0-0) tonight at the Verizon Center. The Canes are coming off a disappointing 5-1 home loss to Tampa Bay while the Caps will be opening their season.

I could not find any reports out of Washington regarding the Carolina morning skate, or even if there was one. The lines at this point are up in the air. Will coach Maurice stick with the same ones from last night, or blow things up and start anew? The lines from last night were:

Skinner, Staal, Ruutu
LaRose, Jokinen, Tlusty
Ponikarovsky, Sutter, Dwyer
Dalpe, Brent, Stewart
Gleason, Pitkanen
Faulk, Kaberle
Allen, Harrison

We don't know who will start in net for Carolina. Cam Ward likes to play in back-to-backs, but Brian Boucher has looked pretty sharp in the preseason. With another game coming up in New Jersey on Monday afternoon, this could go either way. As soon as we get the official word, I will post it here.

Also, I would anticipate a change on the blueline. I'm sure they did not keep Ryan Murphy up from juniors just to sit in the press box. He might see some action tonight.

((UPDATE)) Confirmed by @ice_chip, Boucher will start and the lines remain the same, including the defense.

There is some controversy in Washington already, and the season has yet to even start. Coach Bruce Boudreau has decided to start Michal Neuvirth in goal for this game, instead of free agent prize Tomas Vokoun, and Vokoun's agent is not pleased.

Here are the projected lines according to SB Nation DC:

Alex Ovechkin - Nicklas Backstrom - Mike Knuble

Alexander Semin - Mathieu Perreault - Troy Brouwer

Jason Chimera - Brooks Laich - Joel Ward

Matt Hendricks - ~~Marcus Johansson~~ - - Jeff Halpern - Jay Beagle

Mike Green, Dennis Wideman, John Carlson, Karl Alzner, ~~Tom Poti~~, Roman Hamrlik, and Jeff Schultz will probably be the blueliners.

Alex Ovechkin has returned from Russia, where he attended his uncle's funeral, and was skating on his own at 8 p.m. last night at the Caps' practice rink. And some folk don't think this guy takes the game seriously?

For more info on the Caps, check out our partners over at Japers' Rink, who always have the latest and greatest news about their team.

Other places of interest include, Kings of Leonsis, Capitals Insider, and Capitals Watch.

The Hurricanes certainly won't be favorites to win this matchup, but will they put up a solid fight, like so many Carolina teams of old, or will they fold like they seemingly did in waning minutes of the game last night?

This one will be televised in HD on FS Carolinas starting at 7 and we will have our game thread ready to go and open for discussion starting at 6:30.

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Comments

Gleason settin a great pick in that picture.
Wrong team though.

No way Mo sticks with the lines that started last night’s game.

by Iggy Reilly on Oct 8, 2011 2:37 PM EDT reply actions

Not as bad as when Faulk decked Ward

by hurricane9 on Oct 8, 2011 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Please Mo, fix the lines and just give us a chance. Also, please put McBain back back in the lineup.

Let’s just hit the reset button on this season. I’m trying to think positive going into tonight’s game. Go Canes.

Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion, man.

by anonymousJ on Oct 8, 2011 3:02 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I think you are right about Murphy, Bob. I would have to think he’ll be in the lineup tonight. If so, it will be interesting to see who he replaces. Faulk shouldn’t feel bad about his performance, it was his first NHL game after all, and if he comes out hopefully the staff will reinforce that.

by Hockeydog on Oct 8, 2011 3:06 PM EDT reply actions

Gleason Last Night

That play by Gleason was one of his low points in the game. Shannon out-positioned him and got inside position. It is not a slam on Gleason. Other than that play, I didn’t notice Gleason making other mistakes that were obvious in real time. That play, however, was unfortunate; but at the high rate of speed of the NHL game, it’s easy to realize how hard it is to be a defenseman. One moment’s lack of precise positioning can cause a goal.

by abramsdoug on Oct 8, 2011 3:14 PM EDT reply actions

'Canes 4, Caps 2

scoring by Staal, Ruutu, Dwyer and LaRose. Boucher in goal.

my positive energy for the day…

Of Maurice, Karmanos said: "I’m happy Paul is back but he’s going to be judged the same way as any other coach. We need to win more consistently."

by Sergeant Stinky on Oct 8, 2011 3:59 PM EDT reply actions

Holy cow! Can’t wait!

by ECUCanesFan on Oct 8, 2011 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Same lines as last night. Same Pairings as well. Boucher in goal.

by NorwegianCaniac on Oct 8, 2011 5:09 PM EDT reply actions

If this is the case we might want to get Paul Maurice to the hospital, he can’t be feeling well if he isn’t line juggling after that travesty last night.

by Iggy Reilly on Oct 8, 2011 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Maurice seems to be a stubborn coach.

I can assume Maurice’s thoughts on the matter is like this: “the guys want to redeem themselves for last night”. I just think he outsmarts himself. I’m hoping a repeat of last night won’t happen, but I’m not optimistic.

As I’ve said before, why not send Murphy back to juniors? Sure he can get a good long look in practice but the Kitchener Rangers could use him. Kind of selfish on the Canes part. If this was the Plymouth Whalers, he would have been back already. I’m just saying.

by Storminator16 on Oct 8, 2011 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed. Would be nice to send Murphy to Juniors if we aren’t going to play him.

by JussiJuice on Oct 8, 2011 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I can see the wisdom in not throwing him into the lion’s den against the talent the Canes have faced this opening weekend.

If he sits much longer, then it gets a little silly IMO.

by Iggy Reilly on Oct 8, 2011 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Maurice must really want to be fired

by hurricane9 on Oct 8, 2011 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I saw @ice_chip said as much on twitter.

Can’t believe it.. when I read it my stomach knotted up.

Trying to remain positive though – season is just beginning.

"It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times..."

by Gramm Matthew Esq. on Oct 8, 2011 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Only lineup change is Boucher in goal…Everything stays the same..

….including the coach

by GiantsCanes on Oct 8, 2011 5:53 PM EDT reply actions

Intensity?

In reflection of last nights game, I have an issue w/ the Canes not bringing the intensity to the game that it warranted. First game of the year, in front of the home crowd, playing a team that not only embarrased you (last time out) but knocked you out of any post season opportunity. Is this a reflection of the coach, the team leadership (Captain) or distant focus for a long season? I want to see intensity tonight. No matter what lines Coach Mo sets, we have a team of quality players. Please go play with the attitude to win… at all cost.

by 'CaneMe on Oct 8, 2011 6:00 PM EDT reply actions