Canadiens At Hurricanes: Game Day Preview

by Bob Wage on Nov 23, 2011 3:58 PM EST in Carolina Hurricanes Game Day Previews

MONTREAL, CANADA - NOVEMBER 16: Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens stops the puck in front of Eric Staal #12 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on November 16, 2011 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Hurricanes 4-0. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

The Carolina Hurricanes, (8-11-3) return home to face the Montreal Canadiens, (9-9-3) tonight for a rematch from last week's debacle in which Carolina was handed a 4-0 loss. Since then, the Canes have put together three solid games -- including two straight wins -- plus a 1-0 loss to Buffalo last Friday.

So, not only will Carolina be looking for redemption against Montreal tonight, they will be looking for their third straight win.

The lines have remained somewhat stable for the Canes of late. They are expected to stay the same tonight:

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

Cam Ward will get the start in net.

The Canadiens beat the Rangers 4-0 since last week's contest with Carolina, but lost other games to the Islanders and Bruins.

Look for Carey Price to be in net for the Habs.

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2011 - Cam Ward	18	1018	8	8		53	3.12	566	513	.906	1

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2011 - Carey Price	18	1086	8	7		38	2.10	462	424	.918	2

This also a homecoming of sorts for Erik Cole, who will be making his first appearance at the RBC since his defection to Montreal over the summer. Chip Alexander has a story here.

Jay Harrison, Jeff Skinner, Alexei Ponikarovsky, and Jussi Jokinen each have two game point streaks.

The game will be televised by FS Carolinas and broadcast by 99.9 The Fan with the puck drop shortly after 7. We will have an Open Game Thread starting at 6:30 with Cory chiming in for this one.

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Comments

Habs 4, 'Canes 1

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 Nov 23, 2011 4:03 PM EST reply actions

Canes 3, Habs 1

by caniacmum on Nov 23, 2011 4:09 PM EST reply actions

No Clue

It depends which team shows up: Beautiful, intense, Hurricanes Team #1 or nervous, hesitant, non-physical Hurricanes Team #2 (or The Evil Twin Team). I have no clue what the score will be; but I’d say the two predictions above will be accurate depending on whether Team #1 or Team #2 plays tonight in a Hurricanes uniform.

by abramsdoug on Nov 23, 2011 4:13 PM EST reply actions

Pretty pivotal game for the Canes tonight. A win or even a great effort in a close loss will continue the feel good the team has going right now. A stinker might throw the team back in a tailspin.

by Hockeydog on Nov 23, 2011 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

i doubt a lose of any kind would keep anything feeling good. especially around here

"a bit of love"

by chrisj on Nov 23, 2011 4:44 PM EST up reply actions

Even though they lost to the Sabres, the work ethic was there and they built on that by winning the next two games. If that effort is there and they drop a close one it would be less harmful than a blowout loss. They need wins, period. But they also need to sustain some confidence for more than 2 games. If they play a good hard game and lose because a puck bounced of a shin pad I’ll hate the loss of 2 points but will feel good about the direction the team is headed,

by Hockeydog on Nov 23, 2011 5:11 PM EST up reply actions

Mo is Still Coach?

First loss of two.

Third Win before Three Loses.

Pick one.

Can’t believe that POS is still coach. Damn this org.

by WStout on Nov 23, 2011 4:22 PM EST reply actions

Canes 2 Habs 0

and Paul Maurice gets a hat trick of wins and is awarded a 5 year contract extension.

by rmmeli on Nov 23, 2011 4:24 PM EST reply actions

THIS!!!!

Is how one wins at internets

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 23, 2011 4:36 PM EST up reply actions

5 to 1

Habs

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

by Caniac233 on Nov 23, 2011 4:48 PM EST reply actions

We better hit the ice with revenge blazing in our eyes tonight. Everything but a win is unacceptable.

by NorwegianCaniac on Nov 23, 2011 4:56 PM EST reply actions

Assuming the Canes continue to hold onto their magic feather and continue to believe they can win – they can beat the Habs.

Megaweapon… Megaweapon… Megaweapon…

by Kid CHUD on Nov 23, 2011 5:01 PM EST reply actions

Canes 3, Habs 2.

Ready for the Canes to win the Cup again! :)

by thebl4ckd0g on Nov 23, 2011 5:17 PM EST reply actions

Tonite in Buffalo

Boston plays Buffalo. There are rumours a hockey game may break out. Lots of talk came out of Sabreland after Lucic decked Miller. Will there be any walk? Lots of bark, but will the dog bite?

by surgalt on Nov 23, 2011 5:22 PM EST reply actions

Canes win 4-0, Staal w/2 goals and McBain with a pair…both PP tallies.

by NotOpie on Nov 23, 2011 5:31 PM EST reply actions

Skinner’s first hat trick…

The only easy day was yesterday.

by CoastalCane on Nov 23, 2011 5:33 PM EST reply actions

I actually was thinking about that earlier. I was at the game last spring when he and McBain had 2.

As long as PKSubban doesn’t get the matchup w/53, I think he’ll be shining bright.

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Nov 23, 2011 5:37 PM EST up reply actions

This is a game Skinner/Staal/Ruutu may be a great line to have together. It would be unwise for Subban to focus solely on Skinner and let Staal/Ruutu run wild.

by JussiJuice on Nov 23, 2011 5:39 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah – that would be interesting to watch. But Subban clearly takes Skinner as his personal project – I think he picks on him more than anyone other than maybe Carlson (Caps) or Myers maybe.

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Nov 23, 2011 5:44 PM EST up reply actions

I like that many of the younger star D take exception to Skinner and beat on him every chance they get. It really only pisses Skinner off and makes him more deadly.

by JussiJuice on Nov 23, 2011 6:00 PM EST up reply actions

Definitely noticed that. It’s personal for all sides. Rookie-wars.

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Nov 23, 2011 6:33 PM EST up reply actions

I like the way you think!

Megaweapon… Megaweapon… Megaweapon…

by Kid CHUD on Nov 23, 2011 6:28 PM EST up reply actions

I’ve read three accounts of the dinner Erik Cole had at his house here in NC last night. I can’t figure out if he had BOTH Canes and Montreal players over together? Both sides present it differently. The one from Chip is above.

Here’s from the Habs page
And from the Montreal Gazette.

Is that kind of unusual for opposing teammates to have dinner together – when they don’t really know each other except through the one link (Cole)?

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Nov 23, 2011 5:43 PM EST reply actions