Carolina Survives: Hurricanes 5, Penguins 3

by Bob Wage on Nov 12, 2011 10:56 PM EST in Carolina Hurricanes Game Recaps

The Carolina Hurricanes took a 3-0 lead into the third period, watched the lead evaporate to a 3-3 tie, then scored a couple more goals when they needed to as they defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins, 5-3 on Saturday night in front of a crowd of 16,260 at the RBC. The team broke a four game losing streak with the win.

Jeff Skinner would be instrumental in the first three goals for the team as he scored the first on a nifty backhander just a minute and change into the first period, then assisted on the next two in the second as Tuomo Ruutu cashed in with nice goals.

But the Penguins came roaring back in the third on two goals by Jordan Staal, and another by Chris Kunitz. With the score tied at three, the Pens really amped up the pressure in the Carolina zone, but Cam Ward kept making clutch saves, as he did most of the night. The goalie faced another 40 shots in this contest.

With 4:34 left, the Canes came down on a break and Eric Staal passed the puck to an open Chad LaRose, who put the shot on net. After Brent Johnson made the initial save, Staal was there to tuck in the rebound, which stopped a long dry spell for the Captain.

LaRose would add insurance on a breakaway two minutes and change later.

The coaching staff moved Staal to winger for much of this game as he played with Brandon Sutter at center. It was the first game in quite a while that Staal had played wing and he said it took getting used to.

"It definitely made me think out there," he said. "But as the game went on, I got used to it and I thought I played well with Brandon. I didn't mind the change."

The team will next face Philadelphia at home on Monday.

Game Notes:

The team allowed three more goals in the third period, giving them a league high of 27 allowed. When asked after the game about it, Paul Maurice didn't have an answer. There were certainly nervous moments on the bench and in the stands after the Pens started to climb back into the game in the third.
For all the noted trouble in the third period, the Canes are solid when they do have the lead. They improved their record to 6-0-0 when leading after two periods.
The team was outshot in every period in this game and ended up at a 40-26 disadvantage, but Cam Ward stood on his head a lot as the Pittsburgh skilled players seemed to have plenty of chances all night.
Staal led the team with five shots on goal and also had 23:30 of ice time.
Speaking of ice time, the fourth line was used sparingly. Dalpe had 4:31 of TOI, Boychuk 3:59, and Tlusty 5:22. On the other side of the rink, Richard Park had his team's lowest ice time at 9:45.
The Canes had 20 blocked shots led by Bryan Allen with five. Allen also dropped the gloves with Arron Asham which helped to rouse up the crowd in the opening period.
Tuomo Ruutu had a team high six hits. The Canes had 32 for the game.
Both teams split faceoffs at 50%.
Jeff Skinner was named the number one star of the game and deservedly so. He fought through traffic all night long, drew penalties, and created scoring chances.
The Carolina powerplay looked lethargic much of the night and finished at 0-4. One of Jordan Staal's goals was scored shorthanded, but the penalty killers were able to kill off all Pen powerplay chances, including a long stretch of 1:28 of a 5-on-3, which obviously was crucial.
It's hard to complain about the effort in this one as the team was fired up from the start, although they looked a bit tired coming down the stretch when the Pens made a run.
Related: A Montreal Canadiens scout was in attendance upstairs.

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I have to smile as and even

when the Canes went up 4-3…the concerns from many of us fans on the game blog…were still edgey and worried that for yet another time the Canes,like stale cookies would crumble and lose yet again to a top tier team…yet it is the consistant play of the Skin& Finns line(36-53-15) that has done most of the scoring and hustle on a regular basis…the 4the line(19-11-22) while contributing..were NOT on the ice enough to make a major impact even though they were out hustling several of the main players for the pens when out there…so with tonights victory…the mo must go chants are somewhat quieter and lets’s trade kabs talk is done for now…until monday when the Broad Street Bullies 4.0 edition come to town…so for many fans…what Carolina Hurricane team will show up and play 60 whole mins. of Hockey like we, the fans know they can do ? Am i trying to sound negitive here…not really, just being “realistic” ..as the Canes are like the old Jerry Reed Song..When you’re hot …you’re hot & when youy’re not…you’re not…and this fan preferes them to be and stay hot…but thirsty people in the desert want ice water too huh ? Glad they won tonight..and desire to see the “poll” next week go up too! Thank you Canes for giving we, your fans a good show…but you are doing a dis service to your goalie who has more to lose in his career than many of you do…so how about Carolina Hurricanes..do you really love cam ward ? if you do…then prove it by out playing,shooting and scoring each and every team that he faces for the rest of this season…Are you asca team up tp thast challege ? Are you ?

9/11/01 - Never Forget !!
Long Live #63 The Condor
Go Canes & Checkers !!!

by CaniacSteve on Nov 12, 2011 11:54 PM EST reply actions

Bob, Jeff, Tuomo, Jussi, Chad, Cam, and Eric, good game!

I do have a question here – if we are fading in the 3rd period, what does Pete Freisen have to suggest? More workouts? More juice (not Jussi) between periods? More 4th line? Maybe we need to get Rod the Bod (and LaRose) to help strengthen this team in the 3rd period of a game.

And I was regretting benching Cam in my fantasy hockey league – maybe I need to do it more often if it will bring real "W"s…

by jbwhite99 on Nov 13, 2011 12:52 AM EST reply actions

Three lines...

Play three lines vs. Four lines and your team is going to be tired in the third period.

Nice effort, a few good coaching moves. Why did it take this long to put Suts with Staal? Bad coaching. They were outshot, Cam had to stand on his head to get the win. That is not a long term winning formula. Who is Montreal scouting? My guess is Joslin because he was not going to play then was inserted at the last second.

by KenRab on Nov 13, 2011 5:57 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Yep. Fourth line is there for a reason.

by hurricane9 on Nov 13, 2011 9:39 AM EST up reply actions

Now that our fourth line is all 3 prospects they are able to watch the game together and discuss dinner plans when they get moved back to Charlotte.

by surgalt on Nov 13, 2011 10:07 AM EST up reply actions

MO does not have a strategy. He is trying to put a patch every time, sometimes it works (like yesterday, which is good) but mostly fails. With this approach Canes have no chance to get to a post season

All above is my personal opinion.
Thanks,
Andy_S

by Andy_S on Nov 13, 2011 11:05 AM EST up reply actions

Pitkanen is injured so Joslin was in. It could be Joslin being scouted, but we were down a D-man for this game.

by sunshine12 on Nov 13, 2011 10:05 AM EST up reply actions

Good game in segments

Glad to see a win and a 3rd period where they held on and did not get blown out.

"Forget about style; worry about results."
Bobby Orr

by Caniac233 on Nov 13, 2011 6:26 AM EST reply actions

Montreal Scouts

What are the rumors on a trade with the Habs?

"Forget about style; worry about results."
Bobby Orr

by Caniac233 on Nov 13, 2011 6:27 AM EST reply actions

Montreal was scouting Pittsburgh

Cole for ________. Fill in the blank. If it was one of our offensive prospects on our 4th line, they could judge only their ability to open and close the bench door.

by surgalt on Nov 13, 2011 10:13 AM EST up reply actions

Hopefully it was Kaberle. But if it was, I’m sure the scout is flying back to Montreal laughing.

by hurricane9 on Nov 13, 2011 10:23 AM EST up reply actions

Cole of late one of the top performing Canadiens

If you’ve been following Montreal, after a slow start and very limited minutes, especially on the PP, Cole is now one of Montreal’s top performers. It’s not him they’d be looking to move.

Regarding Kaberle, the chances of trading him are zero. At his salary, and a multi-year contract, he’ll be here until we buy out his contract.

by HockeyWILM on Nov 13, 2011 11:00 AM EST up reply actions

Thought I read on twitter lastnight that there were a lot of scouts in LA for the Wild/Kings game. Believe I saw it say there was a Canes scout in attendance.

Megaweapon… Megaweapon… Megaweapon…

by Kid CHUD on Nov 13, 2011 3:00 PM EST up reply actions

Justin Williams or Matt Cullen?

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Nov 13, 2011 5:23 PM EST up reply actions

Haha.. I have great respect for both those guys! Living on the west coast I get to watch alot of Kings hockey and love enjoy watching Justin Williams play along side Kopitar.

Haha.. I have great respect for both those guys! Living on the west coast I get to watch alot of Kings hockey and love enjoy watching Justin Williams play along side Kopitar.Cullen = Class act.

Megaweapon… Megaweapon… Megaweapon…

by Kid CHUD on Nov 13, 2011 6:06 PM EST up reply actions

Or both. Rebuilding the Stanley Cup team. Williams, Cullen, Cole, Kaberle(’s brother).

by hurricane9 on Nov 13, 2011 7:40 PM EST up reply actions

any other game Ruutu would have been one of the 3 stars, but Staal really did look good out there for most of the game. Glad to see more than 1 player work their butts off in a game. The whole team was scrambling for mostly positive results last night.

by neaux on Nov 13, 2011 7:32 AM EST reply actions

Buzz kill not intended

This is question for those out there who know hockey. In the first 2 periods our 2nd line became our first line. Ruutu, Jokinen and Skinner did it all. In the 3rd period I look up to see Skinner and Jokinen centered by Staal on the power play. What is the hockey reason to break up a line that was gelling so well? Faceoffs? This new line was line was then followed by a group that also had not played together all night, Any input to explain those match ups would be extremely helpful in my hockey tactics 101 studies.

by surgalt on Nov 13, 2011 9:58 AM EST up reply actions

Powerplays are different situations than even strength. The way I see it, on the first unit, the team wants to have their skilled passers and shooters. Ruutu has a great shot, but he is more of a banger and isn’t as skilled. Staal is a much better option for creating offense when up a man. The second unit is then structured around size and hustle over skill. Poni and Ruutu are both big bodies that can go to the net. LaRose is gritty and hustles and also goes to the net. The idea behind this unit is not to make skilled plays, but to get the puck to the net and hustle for the rebounds.

That’s my opinion.

by hurricane9 on Nov 13, 2011 10:09 AM EST up reply actions

And theoretically at least, defensive responsiblity is lessened, as you should maintain puck possession. Unfortunately it evidently also leads to allowing short handed goals against.

by 210beer on Nov 14, 2011 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

PP lines

Power Play lines don’t have to get as physcial as even strength, except for the guy going to the net. Therefore you can put Skinner and Jokinen on the same line with your most skilled and rested Center, in our case its Staal. Most powerplay units are set up with your most skilled players and the second is usually your best shooters not on the first unit.

Some coaches put top powerplay unit players on lower lines becuase that is their ninch on the team… so when they take the ice they can be well rested and have good hustle, thats why sometimes why PP units are mixed lines.

by Brandon Blue on Nov 13, 2011 12:44 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks for the insights 9 and Blue. At least the strategy did turn into a Staal goal.

by surgalt on Nov 13, 2011 1:11 PM EST up reply actions

Ruutu was one of ChuckK’s 3 stars. Chuck did not have Ward as a star. Staal, Ruutu, Skinner.

Harrumph

by ivyleager on Nov 13, 2011 11:31 AM EST up reply actions

Cam Ward had to be one of the stars of the game. Without him this game would have been lost in the first period. Skinner was the player carrying the offense and Ruutu was the beneficiary.

The Penguins are immeasurably better than the Canes. They have better players and are far better coached.

by rmmeli on Nov 13, 2011 12:00 PM EST up reply actions

Steroids, the Pens, LaRoque

Back in 2009 when the Canes were ripped by the Penguins in the ECF, I said on this blog that some of the moves and stamina that that team showed was not normal. I said that they looked Juiced. It is and was speculative but read this very interesting article.

http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/laraques_allegations_not_so_easily_dismissed/7976719

Not saying this is absolute but makes me go hmmm…

by KenRab on Nov 13, 2011 7:33 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I can't go on

But, one person who isn’t dismissing Laraque’s allegations is Dick Pound, the Canadian lawyer and former president of the World Anti-Doping Agency

I mean come on

I am not a heavy drinker. I can sometimes go for hours without touching a drop --Noel Coward

by DaveLovesBier on Nov 13, 2011 10:32 AM EST up reply actions

Sorry, but regarding drugs, I think every team is at least using borderline supplements for recovery. 82 games per season in a sport so intense as hockey, is unreal.

by NorwegianCaniac on Nov 13, 2011 10:43 AM EST up reply actions

Aside from my earlier post

we saw live and on TV times when the Canes gave too much space to the pens..and those breakaway chances ( 3, I think it was) for the pens when any team gives away that much ice..all the forechecking in the world isn’t going to stop the other team from moving the puck around as much and well as they did…In the canes defence (???) as stated by others..those players who shined last night worked for every inch of ice they took away..as the pens are a very physical team..and the last several games the Canes were out muscled and pushed around and off the puck more times than not..but hell a win is a win…and this fan will enjoy the heck out of this win…

9/11/01 - Never Forget !!
Long Live #63 The Condor
Go Canes & Checkers !!!

by CaniacSteve on Nov 13, 2011 8:11 AM EST reply actions

The reason for time and space...

Highly athletic moves create time and space as the defense backs off so they don’t get burned. That is what happened in my eyes. ECF 2009.

Yes fun game to watch but lots of work to do that should have already been done.

by KenRab on Nov 13, 2011 8:24 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Please Montreal, take Kaberle.

by rmmeli on Nov 13, 2011 9:34 AM EST reply actions

value for value

Cammalleri for Pits
Cammalleri for McBain or Joslin and picks
Cammelleri for McBain or Joslin and Bowman

Would you like this…I like MC for JP

"Forget about style; worry about results."
Bobby Orr

by Caniac233 on Nov 13, 2011 9:55 AM EST up reply actions

Pitkanen was definitely missed both 5 on 5 and especially on the PP. I would not want him going anywhere and have to watch Kaberle screw everything up.

by rmmeli on Nov 13, 2011 11:23 AM EST up reply actions

Kaberle’s defensive positioning and pinches last night were not highlight reel worthy. Horrible. I’ve given him a wash up to this point, but after last nights game am firmly in the camp of sitting his butt. I know it ain’t gonna happen. Moveover, I was shocked to hear Forslund state after the game that this was one of Kaberle’s better efforts. Maybe I missed something last night. I did have a few beers…..

Harrumph

by ivyleager on Nov 13, 2011 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

I think it must have been Forslund having a few beers :)

by rmmeli on Nov 13, 2011 11:55 AM EST up reply actions

Cammalleri has got 2yrs at 7 mill each left, I don’t see it. Maybe straight up for Kaberle’s bad contract? No way I’d trade Pits or young D-man for that contract.

The Goliogoski and Erik Johnson trades show we should be able to get young stud F (James Neal, Chris Stewart) for young puck moving D… maybe not that good, but young and cheap with potential. Montreal has Pacioretty and Desharnais, don’t think they’d part with Pacioretty and Desharnais is a C. I don’t see much of a match with Montreal.

by mascothugger on Nov 13, 2011 1:46 PM EST up reply actions

If we get crushed Monday, will Mo have to go?

by cape2 on Nov 13, 2011 10:18 AM EST reply actions

I bet his timer reset.

by hurricane9 on Nov 13, 2011 10:24 AM EST up reply actions

almost certainly, even though there were still some notable problems last night (how many breakaways did the pens get? 1, 2, 3…many?)

I am not a heavy drinker. I can sometimes go for hours without touching a drop --Noel Coward

by DaveLovesBier on Nov 13, 2011 10:35 AM EST up reply actions

Unfortunately, this happened. Search your feelings, you know it to be true!

by Buglermcd on Nov 13, 2011 7:06 PM EST up reply actions

The timer has not just been reset, he probably just earned himself a contract extension .

I believe in strength. I believe in unity. And if that strength, that unity of purpose, demands a uniformity of thought, word and deed then so be it.

by Douchebag St John on Nov 14, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions

Mo Should STILL Go

I’m sorry. Good win last night but he should be judged on his body of work thus far this season which has been a fail.

Mixed emotions. Part of me wished we lost last night but it was good to see the players pull through with some smiles on their faces.

by WStout on Nov 13, 2011 10:51 AM EST up reply actions

ONE Win does not justify that Mo stays… It actually showed that he still does not control the situation. With performance like this other coaches in the NHL will be out of the bench long ago. However, the main question is his replacement.

All above is my personal opinion.
Thanks,
Andy_S

by Andy_S on Nov 13, 2011 11:11 AM EST up reply actions

Yep

Well, this was more a win on the back of Cam Ward making some stellar saves, a defense fighting as hard as it could blocking 20 shots (and there were still 40 SOG against us) and one offensive line playing their own fashion to create points and win. We got dominated for the most part, and played in our own end about 65% of the game. Why?

Because our offensive system doesn’t keep or maintain pressure so we play in our own end. We have offensive defensemen who aren;t the best at physically moving the opposing forwards out, though they should be better at getting posession and getting out of the zone. The funny thing is, the line with the best pressure, Skins and Finns, seems to be playing against the system….

Previous Mo comments in various articles:

We have to generate our offense in a certain way and it’s a hard way to do it because it’s not going to be a free-flowing, snap-it-around offense

It’s going to be a filthy grind. It’s not going to be pretty

It’s not about snapping it around, making plays. It’s about pucks to the net and getting our pucks to the net quicker and getting bodies to the net

(couldn’t find one other one which said something about how we will not be scoring goals off the rush)

Ok so, when we do score goals this year, how have we done it? Looking at Skins and Finns? Lots of nice snappy passes. Yes they do work hard as evidenced by Skinner’s efforts, but it could hardly be called grinding. These guys have skills, vision and passing. Ruu has always had an accurate shot, and I’ve always thought he should go to the net more and shoot more—it’s easier for him to do on a line that tried to do those snappy passing and free flowing movement. WHen he’s forced to grind on other lines, Ruu never shoots—like most of the other lines last night—Oh excpet for Staal and LaRose who also connected on two snappy passing plays off the rush…

Mo’s disconnected from an offense that seems to be the only way we HAVE scored this year—not from grinding and battling, filthy sirty goals, but by rushes up ice, and /or good passwing to open players with others going to the net…

by Squeaky83 on Nov 13, 2011 11:12 AM EST up reply actions

good summary.

by rmmeli on Nov 13, 2011 11:24 AM EST up reply actions

Yep. It seems weird to say, but even though we scored 5 goals tonight, our offense is pitiful. Without the Skinner line we would be toast. We still desperately need a top 6 winger. We need a coach who puts a creative offensive system in place. We need a coach who plays the fourth line.

by hurricane9 on Nov 13, 2011 11:45 AM EST up reply actions

When I said in the recap thread from last game that Boychuk would be on the 4th line in the next game, I was actually joking Paul.

Boychuk must be wondering what he has to do. He had a two game point streak and looked like one of the better players in the NY game. He created the only goal we scored. Yet in the next game, he doesn’t even play 4 minutes.

by hurricane9 on Nov 13, 2011 10:25 AM EST reply actions

Sad

Not good from a leadership perspective, not good from a coaching prspective, not good from a development perpective. Hard to justify….

by Squeaky83 on Nov 13, 2011 11:00 AM EST up reply actions

Maybe he was being hidden from the Montreal scouts. What a kick in the confidence sack by Mo to Boychuck. Same for Dalpe and Tlusty.

by surgalt on Nov 13, 2011 1:15 PM EST up reply actions

I take issue with:

The part of the article that reports that Paul Maurice didn’t have an answer to why we allow so many goals in the 3rd period. The audio clearly shows he isn’t answering the question. He not so effectively dodges the question and ends the interview. However, it’s the most glaring deficit at this point. The team is in the game up to the 3rd period and CRASH! Needs to be talked about…..

Harrumph

by ivyleager on Nov 13, 2011 11:00 AM EST reply actions

He is not playing a fourth line.

Three lines get tired at the end of the game if the opposition is running 4 lines. Canes won the cup by rolling 4 lines and coming in waves. That season, they were absolutely dominant in the third period. This seems simple enough. Maurice is the problem. He is not getting enough out of this group of players for all the reasons mentioned in this blog. He will not get better suddenly. His career is long and clear. .504 will not get u into the playoffs. There is dissention among the ranks. My hunch is Maurice did not ask for Dave Lewis and there may be a power struggle there. That is a guess. I thought it may be a problem when I saw the press confrence introducing Dave Lewis. Maurice looked like he had sucked on a lemon.

by KenRab on Nov 13, 2011 11:25 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

??

We have a 4th line? Where?

Harrumph

by ivyleager on Nov 13, 2011 11:37 AM EST up reply actions

Does anyone else miss having that energy line that was over the wall every time we wanted to shift momentum back to our side?

by surgalt on Nov 13, 2011 1:20 PM EST up reply actions

Or immediatelt after a failed PP to help create energy, grind the offensive stars usually coming onto the ice after their PK players leave? Resting the top six guys after the PP?

You know, like the rest of the league’s coaches seem to do?

by Squeaky83 on Nov 13, 2011 4:59 PM EST up reply actions

Which generates more push back against another teams momentum? a. A Staal double shift or, b. A “Forslund Focus” on the Jumbotron.

by surgalt on Nov 13, 2011 5:15 PM EST up reply actions

Canes won the Cup with a different coach

by curiouscanesfan on Nov 14, 2011 8:11 AM EST up reply actions

Montreal Trade Speculation?

Why all the speculation of a trade with Montreal because one of their scouts is at RBC? We play them in Montreal on Wednesday. Routine to send scouts to look at teams you are going to play.

Thought that Skinner played one of his best games in a Canes uniform despite all the clutching and grabbing from Pens. Nice to see Staal score but more impressive was his work when we were two men short and he was out there for over a minute. If anyone questions his heart and determination…. play that clip over a few times.

Nice to see LaRose score. But up until the Staal goal and that point I thought he played an absolutely brutal game. Sure he skates around with energy but he showed absolutely no feel for the game. Passes to no one; no pass when guys were open; couldn’t take a pass with clear scoring opportunity; bad positioning and I could go on. Then he makes two good plays and I suppose all is forgiven and he keeps his spot on the Staal, Sutter line. Just imagine for a minute a right winger like Neal on that line…..heck put Boychuk there. All you ever have to do to see the difference between a smallish player like LaRose and guys that actually have a feel for the game is to look at film of Whitney, Recchi, Stillman, Marchand…… and then watch 10 minutes of Chad. Sorry to appear to hate on Chad…. I actually like the guy… but on the 3rd or 4th line.

by sittler27 on Nov 13, 2011 12:16 PM EST reply actions

Great point...

I had the same view on LaRose. I think Staal summed it up. There was a moment where the camera was on Staal and LaRose sitting next to him. Chad was saying something to Staal and Staal had that Blah blah blah look on his face. Like he has no respect for Chad. That comes from playing with someone who is making you look bad.
You are right on. LaRose has no place on the first two lines. Maurice is so stubborn that he would risk the playoffs, his job, winning all to show how good LaRose is??? When Roddy was -26, it was because he was a -26 player. When Staal is healthy and -17 at this point in a season, gotta look around. Who is there ? LaRose. He needs to be buried on the 4th line not Boychuck…
Like Chad too. Just don’t like losing or the Staal is suddenly bad junk.

by KenRab on Nov 13, 2011 12:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Yeah.

Despite his goal scorers looking goal, he shot numerous times at the net and missed with the shot careening around and winding up on the Pens’ sticks and up and out of the zone. That happened threee seperate times I remember.

That and other turn overs made me really doubt his worth, but then he had a good shift on the PP where he got the puck and held it behind the net to create a scoring opportunity, and he had a decent third when it counted. Prior to that he was a 4th liner over his head and costing the team.

But Chad somehow rises to the moment. Then again, his penalty at the end was typical of what we saw last year and was totally bone headed.

He’s not as responsible as Dwyer, and Dwyer makes far fewer mistakes, but Rosie does have better scoring touch. But they are a wash and we still don’t need them both.

Not sure why Boychuk, after his last two games, didn’t get the 1 st line play and not LaRose…..

by Squeaky83 on Nov 13, 2011 5:07 PM EST up reply actions

The speculation of a trade comes from Eklund’s (yes I know) comments a few days ago.

by hurricane9 on Nov 13, 2011 7:44 PM EST up reply actions

Sittler27's Take on LaRose

I 100% agree about LaRose having a very difficult time make good decisions during the ebb and flow of a game. He is a one man wrecking crew as far as positioning, making passes, and receiving passes. He repeatedly puts shots right into the goalie’s chest. He takes really inane penalties with regularity. He is a player with heart who never gives up, but his mistakes I believe outnumber his quality plays.

This season apparently the NHL officials have declared open season on Skinner. He is hauled down repeatedly or grabbed or interfered with. I can only assume that because Skinner skates so well, the NHL front office has figured out he could draw a penalty almost every shift if the rules were enforced. Saturday’s game was atrocious in that respect; but I admired the way Skinner battled through it.

Perhaps somebody can introduce Maurice to his fourth line. He seems to have left them back in the house like the movie Home Alone.

by abramsdoug on Nov 13, 2011 10:23 PM EST up reply actions

Let’s be honest AD, Skinner initiates a lot of that contact with the way he plays. That’s part of his game; drawing penalties. He skates directly into other players and tries to spin around them, creating the contact. Sometimes he draws a penalty, sometimes he doesn’t. I don’t think refs are allowing opposing teams to commit penalties against Skinner.

It's time for change! "If you want to change the culture, you will have to start by changing the organization." - Mary Douglas

by PackPride17 on Nov 13, 2011 10:40 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Last night it was crazy how many penalties against Skinner were not being called. It is happening on a regular basis this season. In the recent Tampa Bay game, there were three or more times Skinner was hooked or interfered with in plain view. I can’t imagine it’s a coincidence that this year the NHL officials just happen not to see a hand grabbing Skinner as he goes around the defender.

by abramsdoug on Nov 13, 2011 10:52 PM EST up reply actions

Crosby had to endure this also. It goes with the territory.

Harrumph

by ivyleager on Nov 14, 2011 6:23 AM EST up reply actions

For similar reasons both Crosby and Skinner has such elite body control and sense of timing that they can literally skate around defenders almost at will. Now Crosby gets the benefit of the doubt and draws numerous penalties. Skinner, however, this year is not getting the calls he deserves. Fortunately for the Hurricanes Skinner’s personality is such that he gets even and becomes more effective when players try cheap shots on him or try holding him. Still, it’s ridiculous; but then again the officiating in the NHL across the board is atrocious. Of all the things I’ve learned from watching games across the NHL, the officiating is terrible night in and night out. They really ought to give the NHL officials floppy shoes and big red noses as their uniforms.

by abramsdoug on Nov 14, 2011 6:51 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah – I think the final numbers hid a few problems of the play on that line. I’ll preface what I’m about to say with this, I saw more good than bad from Staal and Larose for a change, but there were a couple of things that had me ticked, and they both happened on scoring plays. On Staal’s goal, he was lucky that Larose ever got that puck to the net – Staal’s pass was horrible – into Larose skates. Rosie had a tough time getting a handle on it. The next one was on Larose’s goal. Staal was at the Canes blue line when he fed Larose, and then admired his pass. If you watch the replay you’ll see Sutter, who was low in the slot by the hash marks busting his ass up the ice, and was in fact in the Penguins slot by the time Larose scored. Staal meanwhile hadn’t taken a stride and was just getting to the next blueline, by the time Rosie was well into his celebration. I’m not sure how long he had been on the ice by that time, but it smacked of lazy. If not for a couple of bounces, we’d still be talking about trying to get Staal going.

But I admit, I’m nitpicking, overall the effort was much better than seen in the last few games! I thought for the 1st time this season the lines “made sense” – at least more than some of the headscratcher lines I’ve seen rolled out at times.

by 210beer on Nov 14, 2011 5:06 PM EST up reply actions

Unfortunately I did not get to see the game last night, I was playing in a small poker tournament. But I did record it and watched it today. I’m extremely happy we won and won against one of the best teams in the league. But there were definitely a few concerns.

While Allen started the season off great, it appears to me is game have fallen off in the past couple. While he is still playing physical, he is misplaying some pucks, and allowing forwards to get behind him for odd man rushes.

I know many of you love having Sutter with Staal, but I wasn’t hugely impressed by that line. I actually thought the Poni/Staal/Boychuk line was more impressive (minus 1 play) against NYR. I believe if Staal is going to play wing, I would prefer him at RW instead of LW. And while Sutter is a great player, I don’t think he is a 1st line center.

The 4th line with so little time was horrible. Boychuk had a 2 game point streak and was limited to less than 5 minutes. Tlusty has been one of our better overall players this season and he gets limited time. I just can’t understand how Paul cannot keep LaRose off the 1st line (and I know Chad did score a goal).

The PP wasn’t effective yet again. Why not switch things up and put the SkinFinns line, with their obvious chemistry, as the top unit. Then use Poni/Staal/Dalpe (because of Dalpe’s shooting ability) as the 2nd unit. If it isn’t working, try to fix it!

Now the good. While it would have been nice to win 3-0, 5-1, 7-1; I think the 3rd period meltdown was good for the Canes. It showed them that while things fell apart, you keep working, and you can still win. Maybe this allows the team to keep their heads up and continuing to work hard, when a few bad breaks happen.

Getting Staal on the scoresheet is vital. Staal probably should have gotten the waived off goal. He also might have had another if he got more on that backhand that Johnson just got back to. The garbage goal he did get MIGHT give him and the team more confidence. It seemed to help out a little because Chad finally capitalized a few minutes later on a Staal pass.

Skinner was fantastic. He makes so many plays and Ruutu/Jussi are the perfect playing partners for him. They neutralize his weakness (defense) and allow him to be the tremendous playmaker he is. I actually thought; Just how good would Skinner be under an offensively creative coach? It would have been interesting to see him under Lavi’s system here.

Ruutu has really been playing much better lately and I’m glad to see he got rewarded for all of his hard work with 2 goals. Its great when those hard-working players get to put the puck in the net.

It's time for change! "If you want to change the culture, you will have to start by changing the organization." - Mary Douglas

by PackPride17 on Nov 13, 2011 1:50 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Agree

Skinner’s passing almost got Jussi a goal—one he usually pots—but he missed the net—that was another goal had we got it that really could have changed the game. But Jussi’s timing still seems a little off.

Prior to the last wo goals, completely agree with you on the 1st line. It was about time Staal benefitted from one of his good passes—-he’s deserved more assists this year, but his linemates, especially Rosie, haven’t potted them. The again, Rosie has been best at getting in position to receive them…or the defense is leaving him, not sure which.

Too often, giving Mo’s battling and grinding offensive system preferences, that seems to mean too many forwards buried deep behind the goal line or in the corners which has led to odd man rushes the other way. Skin’s and Finns tend to play in front of the goal and tend to move the puck through skating and passind—so they’re not caught deep as much as the other lines sticking to more of the battling and grinding style…

Always wondered why Mo offenses don’t play in front of the net more…

by Squeaky83 on Nov 13, 2011 5:16 PM EST up reply actions

Good point...

If you have to play that grinder type of game, why are we all over the opposition’s net? Duh, the Canes don’t have a team of bruisers. They have a smallish, speedy skilled transition group. So why are they forced to play a system that doesnt match the personnel? Oh, Maurice… Why hasn’t he changed? Because he only knows one friggin way to coach!!! Mo must go!

by KenRab on Nov 13, 2011 5:55 PM EST via mobile up reply actions