Dalpe In, Dwyer Out: Hurricanes At Penguins, Game Day Preview

by Bob Wage on Dec 27, 2011 1:53 PM EST in Carolina Hurricanes Game Day Previews

The Carolina Hurricanes, (12-19-6) bring a two game winning streak to the Steel City and will face the Pittsburgh Penguins, (20-11-4) tonight at CONSOL Energy Center. The Canes have now earned points in five of their last six games.

The Pens have a three game winning streak on the line.

Patrick Dwyer was injured last night and is expected to sit this one out. Zac Dalpe has been recalled and should fill in for him. It's not known for sure where Dalpe will fit, but if he takes Dwyer's spot, look for the following lines:

Bowman, Staal, LaRose
Ruutu, Jokinen, Ponikarovsky
Dalpe, Sutter, Tlusty
Stewart, Brent, Nodl
Gleason, McBain
Harrison, Faulk
Allen, Spacek

Coach Kirk Muller would not commit to a starting goalie yet, so stay tuned for that info just before game time.

The Penguins are still without the services of Sidney Crosby, who is on the sidelines again with suspected concussion issues.

Evgeni Malkin has been back on track though and leads the Pens with 40 points. Next closest is James Neal with 34. Goalie Marc-Andre Fluery has also been vital to the team's success.

For more info on the Penguins, check out the Post Gazette, and Pensburgh.com.

Tuomo Ruutu remains red hot for the Canes and has points in five straight games, (4G 2A). Andreas Nodl has points in three straight.

The teams have split their two games so far this year.

The game will be televised locally by FS Carolinas starting at 6:30 with a pregame show. We will have our open thread also starting at 6:30.

Here is the stat comparison chart from NHL.com:

	Stats
37	GP	35
12	W	20
19	L	11
6	OT	4
30	P	44
0.405	P%	0.629
2.57	G/G	3.17
3.27	GA/G	2.54
12.6	PP%	19.7
78.8	PK%	88.0
30.3	S/G	33.5
30.9	SA/G	27.5
49.6	FO%	49.6

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Comments

would like to see a switch of Nodl and Larose..

by dbaerry34 on Dec 27, 2011 2:40 PM EST reply actions

I would like to see Peters tonight since our odds of winning this game are slim. Save Ward for Toronto and Tampa, however, since Ward had a light load last night I am expecting him to play. I would also really, really like to see Dalpe on the line with Bowman and Staal, however, that seems unlikely as well.

by hotchipsnsalsa on Dec 27, 2011 2:49 PM EST reply actions

A beat reporter in Pittsburgh tweeted that Peters would start, but I don’t know if she knew that for certain or just made an assumption based on something she saw and wasn’t confirmed. I asked her via twitter but she hasn’t replied yet.

@pgshelly: Looks like MA Fleury for #Penguins and J Peters for #Hurricanes tonight.

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Dec 27, 2011 3:10 PM EST reply actions

would rather see

Bowman, Staal, Dalpe
Ruutu, Jokinen, Ponikarovsky
LaRose, Sutter, Tlusty
Stewart, Brent, Nodl

LET'S GO CANES -- THE SEASON AIN'T OVER YET!!!

by Capt. Stinky on Dec 27, 2011 3:20 PM EST reply actions

...or better yet

Bowman, Staal, Dalpe
Ruutu, Jokinen, Ponikarovsky
Nodl, Sutter, Tlusty
Stewart, Brent, LaRose

LET'S GO CANES -- THE SEASON AIN'T OVER YET!!!

by Capt. Stinky on Dec 27, 2011 3:21 PM EST up reply actions

I like this too but don’t see Muller putting Dalpe on the first line right away… but maybe.

by dbaerry34 on Dec 27, 2011 3:35 PM EST up reply actions

He moved Nash up during the course of the game, and it was Nash’s first NHL game. One of the many things I like about Muller is his willingness to reward a player who is going during a game.

by Hockeydog on Dec 27, 2011 3:41 PM EST up reply actions

That is what I suspect is him starting on a lower line and mid game move if his play reflects it… Muller has done well with that.

by dbaerry34 on Dec 27, 2011 3:42 PM EST up reply actions

Wouldn't either be a wish come true?

Can’t imagine Chad being demoted to 4th line minutes though. Many have suggested that Dwyer and LaRose are clones. If so, putting Chad in Dwyer’s slot makes good sense.

by surgalt on Dec 27, 2011 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

No me either but I also think Nodl has played his way to a promotion and I think Muller will want to see Dalpe so someone has to go to the 4th.

by dbaerry34 on Dec 27, 2011 3:44 PM EST up reply actions

I think Muller will want to see Dalpe

This.

twitter @jbk_ltd

by Jamie Kellner on Dec 27, 2011 3:45 PM EST up reply actions

I had to laugh seeing that some would set Rosie down to 4th line mins.

but remember many of the top tier teams roll 4 lines all the time keeping fresher legs out there…that way asside from defence no one gets 22 mins plus agame..had anyone else wondere why the canes even with a new coach still run out of gas late in the 2nd or 3rd periods on a consistant basis ? seeing we fans know Dalpe’s style he needs to be up with Staal for and if anything the speed and his willingness to go to the net regularly…but hells bells.I’m just a fan…yada,yada,yada

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

by CaniacSteve on Dec 27, 2011 3:46 PM EST reply actions

yes that would be great if we could be more balanced and LaRose’s 15 shots wide and in the chest of the goalie would be well suited for the 4th line

by dbaerry34 on Dec 27, 2011 3:57 PM EST up reply actions

+/-

Just a note; has anybody else noticed that Eric Staal is no longer alone at the bottom of the league in +/-? Rick Nash has joined him at ~~20. Both teams play tonight, Carolina at Pittsburgh and Calgary at Columbus. Could we have a new +/~~ loser leader after tonight?

"We've got to risk implosion. We may explode into the biggest fireball this part of the galaxy has seen, but we've got to take that one in a million chance."
-- Captain Kirk in Star Trek 'The Naked Time'

by PackPride17 on Dec 27, 2011 3:56 PM EST reply actions

+/-

freakin – symbol!

Just a note; has anybody else noticed that Eric Staal is no longer alone at the bottom of the league in +/-? Rick Nash has joined him at – 20. Both teams play tonight, Carolina at Pittsburgh and Calgary at Columbus. Could we have a new +/- loser leader after tonight?

by PackPride17 on Dec 27, 2011 3:57 PM EST up reply actions

Lets hope its Nash and Staal has a hat trick…

by dbaerry34 on Dec 27, 2011 3:58 PM EST up reply actions

Let me add that Steve Downie is at – 19 and they play Philly tonight, so he has a chance to take over the minus lead also.

by PackPride17 on Dec 27, 2011 4:01 PM EST up reply actions

Well, it looks like Staal took back his crown of worst +/- in the league.

by PackPride17 on Dec 28, 2011 10:40 AM EST up reply actions

Now official:

RT @JohnForslund: Justin Peters will get his first start for the Canes this season. We bring it to you from Consol Energy Center at 630 pm w/Canes Live!

twitter @jbk_ltd

by Jamie Kellner on Dec 27, 2011 3:59 PM EST reply actions

Well the canes have given up less shots in the past few… and Cam needs some games off.. Lets root on JP

by dbaerry34 on Dec 27, 2011 4:00 PM EST up reply actions

Can’t we call Murphy up and let him start? PLEASE!

by PackPride17 on Dec 27, 2011 4:02 PM EST up reply actions

Well JP was playing well in Charlotte so lets give him a chance… It does not help that it is Pittsburgh though.

by dbaerry34 on Dec 27, 2011 4:04 PM EST up reply actions

Why not give Peters a shot?

4 games in 6 nights. JP is a RFA next year currently at the salary floor. He showed promise in 09-10 but did not impress last year. Some might blame that on the very infrequent use he saw under Mo. It is likely time to re-try him before we resign him. Boucher is still under contract for next year at close to a million. Peters will get another year in the AHL to improve regardless if Boucher does return from injury.

by surgalt on Dec 27, 2011 4:29 PM EST up reply actions