Game Analysis: Back-To-Backs Vs. Bruins, At Capitals
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 16, 2012 1:18 PM EST
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The Carolina Hurricanes continued their run of good play, rallying to defeat the Bruins Saturday, 4-2, at the RBC Center, then facing the Capitals in Washington less than 20 hours later and outplaying their Southeast Division foe despite losing, 2-1.
The split moved Carolina to 16-24-7, good for 39 points and up to 13th in the Eastern Conference standings — ahead of the Islanders and Lightning who are both one point back of the Canes with five and three games in hand, respectively.
Three Observations
1. The return of Jeff Skinner to the lineup for Sunday's game in Washington was a huge addition to a team that was playing well even without their star sophomore. Skinner didn't do much the first two periods, but was arguably the best player on the ice in the third period as Carolina tried to rally from a third-period deficit. With Skinner back, there's still some questions as to how coach Kirk Muller should piece together his forward lines, but adding No. 53 is nothing but a positive.
2. The Bruins' end-the-game goonery in their loss at the RBC Center was, in a word, embarrassing. It's one thing to lose your cool during the course of a game, but Boston's ire didn't come out until the game was sealed following Eric Staal's empty net goal. From there, Milan Lucic and Zdeno Chara each took out their frustrations on the Canes, who are now 3-0 against the defending Stanley Cup champions. It's one thing to be a "tough" team. It's another to be sore losers.
3. Jussi Jokinen finally snapped his goal drought Sunday, scoring Carolina's lone goal when he banged in a loose puck on the power play to tie the score late in the second period. It ended Jokinen's 25 games without a tally and was also just his second power play goal of the season. It's surely been a down year for Jokinen, who had 18 PPGs the last two years and now has just five goals total in 2011-12. With Skinner back, Muller may need to consider reuniting the Finns and Skins line to help build Jokinen's confidence.
Number To Know
40 — Recorded takeaways for Brandon Sutter, a total that leads the Hurricanes and ranks 11th in the NHL. He had 48 in 82 games last season and is on pace for nearly 70 in 2011-12, which would be the most by a Carolina player since the lockout.
Plus
Cam Ward — Ward is now 6-3-1 in his last 10 starts and has only allowed more than three goals once — five to Tampa Bay in New Year's Eve loss — during that stretch. He stopped 55 of the 59 shots he faced in the back-to-back games (.932 save percentage) and has not allowed more than one goal in a period in his last five starts.
Minus
Derek Joslin — If Joslin wants to find a way to be in Carolina's future plans, he's needs to up his physicality. He played both games of the back-to-back for the injured Jaroslav Spacek, but did not register a hit and blocked just one shot. He and partner Jamie McBain were also on the ice for both of the Capitals' goals Sunday in a 2-1 loss.
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Thanks Cory !!!!!!!!!!
and I agree about Joslin..love the guys efforts..but and yes..he needs more “physicality” to match his speed..and either pair him up with someone else as he & McBain aside rom being young..we not clicking..heck he did better in Charlotte stat wise i do believe.
Thanks Again Cory !! steve rolls off shouting Skins & Finns,Skins & Finns !! Skin & Finns !!!
9/11/01 - Never Forget !!
Long Live #63 The Condor
Go Canes & Checkers !!!
Joslin
I have always been a Joslin supporter but have to admit he didn’t look good Sunday for sure. My mind is fuzzy today but I think it was on the dis-allowed goal that he was totally undressed?
McBain was a close second in both weekend games. I counted down the the seconds of his shifts every time he was on the ice against the Bruins.
McBain and Joslin
Fans and coaches can’t have it both ways with young defensemen. These kinds of games are going to happen more often with young defensemen than with experienced ones. After all, it was a back to back, early game, against a very strong, skilled team. The Hurricanes outplayed the Capitals and held them to two goals. The second goal was not the kind that Cam Ward routinely gives up. It was a strong defensive effort.
Point taken. But I’m concerned about McBain. I have seen little positive development since he first came up. In fact maybe some digression. He tends to make bad decisions, especially when pressured. He is easily bumped off the puck. Faulk is much better at protecting the puck. And Faulk makes much better decisions. You can always count on Jamie for at least a couple of bad giveaways and pinches a game.
I think how he plays the rest of the season will have a real bearing on decisions the Canes make as to free agent signings. I don’t think he is a trade target but I certainly think the Canes would consider offers. If we consider Joni, Faulk and Harrison as locks for next year. If we consider that one of Allen, Gleason or Spacek will be back. If we agree that the Canes will be shopping for a true shutdown D. And that this may be the coming out year for a couple of our prospects in College and Juniors……. Jamie may be fighting for a roster spot.
Re: McBain
Another good blog post just went up on Shutdownline about McBain (link posted below). I’ve been worried about his defensive skills myself. As much as teams need to score points in the modern NHL, a defenseman needs to be a defenseman, not just an extra gun at the blue line. Harrison has improved year-to-year, Faulk looks great for being so young (and needs more time to evaluate his learning ability), and Allen has been damn solid for us. McBain has just been treading water.
Honestly, McBain and Joslin haven’t wowed me at any point this season other than one or two good offensive games. Too often I find myself cursing something gone wrong, rewinding to see where the error occured, and seeing one of their numbers.
But, hope springs eternal, and there’s still a lot of hockey left in the season and time for each of them to learn. I’d love for our underwhelming guys to get better and make trade decisions more difficult; that’s the kind of problem you want to have.
Here’s that blog post I mentioned. Corey’s blog is always a good read for the stats-minded.
I’m also worried about McBain. Many people here seem to just brush off any criticism of him by saying, “Oh, he’s young and learning!” That’s true, but if you add up all his games played so far through his career, he is fast approaching two full seasons of experience. For a 23 year old defenseman, that still isn’t much, and you obviously can’t expect him to mature into a powerhouse during that time, but you do need to see some improvement.
You said that we’ve possible seen digression, and I will agree 100% there. Remember the first 14 games he played at the end of 09-10? He was a beast. 3 goals, 7 assists during those few games at the start of his NHL career. His defense wasn’t perfect, but he was making smart decisions and his stick looked phenomenal. We were all expecting big things from him. He tripled his point production, which is decent (although he played 5.5 times the amount of games), but his defensive play was worse. He was fighting through injuries though, so we all hoped he would show improvement this season.
As we stand over half way through the year, he hasn’t improved at all. His point production has regressed from last year, but to be fair, that is the case of a lot of players. He was -8 through last season, and he is -7 right now (for comparison’s sake, he was +6 during his stint in 09-10). As we know, plus/minus doesn’t tell the whole story, but this is a pretty clear regression/lack of improvement.
If Jamie had shown any improvement at all over the past few seasons, I wouldn’t be worried. But as it stands, he is now a borderline 3rd pairing guy who would be a health scratch if Joslin were playing to his potential from last season (interestingly, he was +7 last season and -8 now, so he’s also regressed). The “slow starter” excuse doesn’t work anymore as we are past halfway.
Plus/minus
At first I thought our offensive struggles had something to do with the plus/minus decreases for the two, and it probably does, but not as much as I’d expected. Last year we were scoring 2.81 goals per game, now we’re scoring 2.61 goals per game. Significant decrease but not huge.
The lack of defense is definitely the bigger problem, as we’ve gone from 2.91 goals against per game to 3.27 GAPG. I think this is why so many people have been concerned about McBain and Joslin, and calling for LaRose’s head despite his offensive productivity. Cam Ward has never (IMO) been a great breakaway or shootout goalie, and the defensive lapses have led to far too many breakaways. Cam can handle 50 shots spraying from all over, but with time to think he isn’t great, so when our offensive-minded defensemen get sloppy it’s especially painful.
Obviously the lines are different overall, and the forwards are key to the defense too, but the lack of solid defensive play has been more harmful than any trouble our guys have had putting the puck in the net. And that’s why McBain and Joslin worry me. Neither has consistently shown an ability to step up defensively against the best in the league. Hopefully Muller can find a way to make them more responsible, or at least do enough to pretty them up before the trade deadline.
Ward
I’m not excusing his 1-1 play this year, far from it. I just don’t think it’s as perma-bad as it’s been made out to be this year.
Don’t forget, Ward’s first victory was a shootout vs Lemieux, Palffy and Crosby.
I agree
with the above that Jamie has been struggling. However, a point that was brought up on another forum (which has also been debating Jamie McBain extensively) is that defensemen who make a significant impact in the NHL before their 25th birthday are few and far between.
Playing defenseman in the NHL is significantly harder than playing forward, and it takes a much longer time to adjust to NHL speed. The fact that McBain is in the NHL and contributing seriously is an accomplishment in and of itself at the moment.
I still believe that McBain can be a solid 2nd pairing defenseman who contributes very well offensivley, and I still believe (optimistically) that he has 1st pairing potential.
Fun fact: Jamie McBain is (arguably) the second best defenseman from his draft, behind Erik Johnson and ahead of Jeff Petry and Mike Weber.
This is my hobby. Don't insult it.
Proud VT fan currently at NC State!!!
by SouthernHockeyNutter on Jan 17, 2012 2:16 PM EST up reply actions
Andrew MacDonald belongs in this underwhelming group.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 17, 2012 3:13 PM EST up reply actions
Joslin really was terrible. no pressure, no physicality.
his inability to pressue on the game winner in DC was so obvious and just depressing. what dump way to lose a great game.
he is not good enough to be on this team.
and the gall to put Mcbain with him, mcbain needs a solid partner.
im done with joslin. waiver wire please
"a bit of love"
hold on a minute
dude has been a healthy scratch for like ever. only PT he had was in Charlotte recently. Hard to step-in and BOOM be at NHL speed just like that. Give him a 5-game stint; if he continues to shy away from contact and get undressed, then yeah, trade bait. But he needs a chance. Hell, Harrison at one point was considered waiver wire material, look how he’s developed.
"I need to make sure I don't get too frustrated and stay focused on my game...The points and the offense, you have to believe, are going to come." - Eric Staal, 11/6/2011
by Capt. Stinky on Jan 17, 2012 6:25 AM EST up reply actions
Sore Losers
Cory, you are right on target about the Bruins’ end-of-game “goonery”. It was disappointing to see although not entirely unexpected (especially from Lucic). Classless way to finish an otherwise exciting game.
Let's go Canes!!!
About the bruins gooning it up at the end of the game:
I have no problem with what chara did. I think it was dwyer who he was racing for an icing touch up, and dwyer’s stick definitely hit chara’s skates and he almost lost his balance as he was going to the boards. This is VERY dangerous (and i’m sure it was unintentional) but it could have sent chara hard into the boards at a bad angle and could have been called a penalty.
speaking of goonery
I have a guy who is from just south of Boston and is a diy hard Boston fan but he told me today he and several other Bruins fans here in the triad were dismayed and rather insulted at the goons squad and thug BS ( his words) bot Chara and Lucic have been pulling as of late and he was pleased in a quiet sort of way that the canes as a team some how found a way to beat boston as the canes did..and he apologized to me and bought me my favorite 20 oz bottle of soda…and trust me..this guy doesn’t buy his mother anything in apology …and as fars Joslin goes…the canes as a team have nothing to lose by letting him contine to play..as that is what has held him back he did well in Charlotte to knock the rust off of him so as someone else said give him a few or 5-6 more games before we all act like the queen of hearts and yell “off with his head” !! As really is trying …but i am a fan…what do i know ?/
9/11/01 - Never Forget !!
Long Live #63 The Condor
Go Canes & Checkers !!!
Two observations
+) Even though it came out as a split, I was really proud of the way this team played over the weekend. Up tempo, consistent effort – really a pleasure to watch both games and a contrast to the "trying not to lose " mindset of the past . This gives us hope for the balance of this year and what next season can bring.
-) Tripp Tracy is the worst color announcer in the NHL and possibly in all of pro sports. His occasional insights into what is happening and why is overshadowed by non stop a** kissing, brown nosing and player worship. The Canes have two premier play by play announcers in Chuck Kaiton and John Forslund. Both of these men know how to support the home team and still be a professional. Tripp is an embarassment… he just ruins the broadcast.
Tripp was especially bad last night. Like on the one play where Harrison got in a skirmish with the guy who slammed him to the ice.
“Wow! The Hurricanes are catching a break as Harrison was well below the circles there but the faceoff is still in the Washington zone”
And he repeats this about 10 times in a row. I wonder if it ever dawned on him that Harrison was involved in the play? I feel bad for John.
"When I was walking from the hotel to the rink with [INSERT CANE/COACH HERE] he told me..."
Yeah I get it, Tripp, you’re the coolest and everybody loves you.
"I need to make sure I don't get too frustrated and stay focused on my game...The points and the offense, you have to believe, are going to come." - Eric Staal, 11/6/2011
by Capt. Stinky on Jan 17, 2012 6:27 AM EST up reply actions
Someone should make a Tripp Tracy drinking game
It would greatly improve the viewing experience.
I couldn’t agree more. Tripp also doesn’t seem to know the definitions of simple words. I remember one game where he used the phrase, “advantages, both good and bad.” Ummm, I’m pretty sure that advantages are ALWAYS good. When it’s bad, it’s called a DISADVANTAGE.
Also, anyone remember Tripp’s surprise that there was a ‘I hate Tripp Tracy’ Facebook group? I couldn’t help thinking that his announcing it would only serve to get it more members.
"If you can't beat 'em in the alley, you can't beat 'em on the ice." Conn Smythe
by Winter is Coming on Jan 17, 2012 12:02 PM EST up reply actions
My husband suspects that Tripp has VERY dirty photos of someone. Blackmail is the only possible explanation for Tripp Tracy on television.
"If you can't beat 'em in the alley, you can't beat 'em on the ice." Conn Smythe
by Winter is Coming on Jan 18, 2012 11:21 AM EST up reply actions
Tripp and Jason Karmanos are college friends from Harvard, and Tripp is godfather to Jason’s children. He refers to them as “nieces” sometimes on the broadcast, which is where the urban legend began that he’s somehow related.
by Jamie Kellner on Jan 18, 2012 12:23 PM EST up reply actions
Put Harwood with John and Tripp between the benches...like last year...
but I’m not The Owner yada,yada,yada
9/11/01 - Never Forget !!
Long Live #63 The Condor
Go Canes & Checkers !!!
Murray would be nice ,but with JR’s draft history on Dmen ,him taking a Dman with a 1st pick back to back year’s is doubtful ,and my guess it will be Forsberg ,and since we ,also have Keegan Lowe coming up along with Murphy/Dumolin etc.
So if Sangs and Murphy are ready next year, we have:
Pitkanen
Harrison
Faulk
McBain
Murphy
Sangs
Where does that leave UFAs Allen and Gleason? Joslin? Spacek? If it’s me, I want another gritty veteran in the mix, not sure it’s Gleason or Spacek due to deteriorating speed. Would almost see about picking someone up at trade deadline (along with forward) or offseason.
"I need to make sure I don't get too frustrated and stay focused on my game...The points and the offense, you have to believe, are going to come." - Eric Staal, 11/6/2011
by Capt. Stinky on Jan 17, 2012 6:29 AM EST up reply actions
Not to sound harsh
but that may be the softest D grouping in the entire league. Outside of Pitts occasional slash/elbow we would only really have Harrison as a semi-rough and tumble guy. Imagine those 6 (or even toss in Dumoulin if you want a bigger guy) against the “proposed realignment” with Philly, Pitt and a few other bigger teams.
I agree on the one more stay at home guy. I wonder what the Isles would want for Milan Jurcina or Travis Hamonic (would cost much more). Both guys are pretty solid defenders (Lurch gets the tougher assingments, hence the worse +/-) and block shots. I bet Jurcina would be pretty cheap and isn’t all that old.
The Ducks have some lower-tier options in Lydman or Brookbank who do the same thing. Lydman can even toss in 20-25 points on the back end. Maybe a McBain and Sangs for Lydman offer could get the ball moving. They need some offense/warm bodies on the back end; we have too many.
Finally, there’s Edmonton (notice I’m picking on the downtrodden). We could have our own ANDY SUTTON! And all he would cost is a few games to suspension and everyone hating us. Just kidding. But what about Theo Peckham? Sutton seems to be doing the same thing and Peckham doesn’t get a ton of ice time. He fights, hits and blocks shots and for being on a bad team, seems to put up decent numbers +/- wise. Edmonton has needs similar to Anaheim – warm bodies, plays defense (i.e. can stand at point occasionally). Maybe the same offer to give the young forwards a few young defensemen to work with. And since Peckham has a little less value than Lydman, maybe we could extract an extra piece (a 2nd rd pick or one of Curtis Hamilton, Linus Omark or Tyler Pitlick).
Just some ideas to get a little more physical without going too over the top.
by The Gottfather on Jan 17, 2012 9:43 AM EST up reply actions
No thx on Lydman … signed for another $3M and he’ll be 35 at the start of next year.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 17, 2012 10:07 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, true
but we do have to get above the floor somehow and I just don’t see them spending big on an FA forward. If Anaheim eats some of the cost he could be a good add.
by The Gottfather on Jan 17, 2012 10:15 AM EST up reply actions
The CBA expires after this year. I don’t think the floor will be nearly as high when a new deal is struck.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 17, 2012 10:21 AM EST up reply actions
This will be very important going forward and could really create a talent log jam with teams now spending at the current cap. They will have to adjust payroll downward (players) assuming the cap also is reduced. I would think opportunity would be greater to acquire higher end talent than is has been since the lock-out. I wonder how an astute GM might play this card now and into the July 1 free agency period? He could really be caught with his pants down if he guesses wrong.
When able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.
Sun Tzu circa 4th Century BC
by hurricanefever on Jan 17, 2012 10:27 AM EST up reply actions
It's funny you mentioned that
i am afraid that there could be trouble at the “table” as the owners are gonna budge much seeing how “popular” HNL Hockey has become as of late..
9/11/01 - Never Forget !!
Long Live #63 The Condor
Go Canes & Checkers !!!
What about trying to acquire Jeff Schultz from Washington? He’s a big guy (6’6, 230), has been a + player every year in the league, will only be making $3 million next season & the one after that, and he has been healthy scratched in Washington 14 times in their last 16 games. We might could get him for cheap and he would add some size to our blueline.
JR; please dump some players and bring the kids up to stay!
by PackPride17 on Jan 17, 2012 10:34 AM EST up reply actions
He’s not happy in Washington, but I doubt they’d deal him in the division. Maybe if the new alignment was happening next year, but that’s up in the air now, too.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 17, 2012 10:50 AM EST up reply actions
I could see him
as a possibility. Maybe a reverse Walker deal. We send a middling, but promising AHL guy for a vet that is cutting into cap space and the press box. We’ve made a few deals with them, but I don’t think anyone stuck with the team past the end of the season, so that may be the hold up.
by The Gottfather on Jan 17, 2012 10:59 AM EST up reply actions
I think we are forgetting about Dumoulin. He has a shot at making the jump right to the NHL. He is 6’3" and his frame has really filled out. He is a very good skater and strong in the puck. And there is a pro style aggressiveness to his game. No one would ever call him “soft”.
I’d give Dumoulin at least one year in the AHL (or do like they did with McBain and call him up with 15 or 20 games left. The idea of a D that has three guys still on their ELDs (Faulk, Murphy, Dumoulin) is a little scary experience-wise.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 17, 2012 11:58 AM EST up reply actions
Amen to that. But I think Dumoulin’s upside is more that Sanguinetti. It will be interesting who is more ready for the NHL this coming season: Murphy or Dumoulin.
The interesting thing is that McBain has much more NHL experience than Faulk. Who do you trust to make the right decision out there right at this moment?
Faulk
that said, the forwards are playing differently these last few weeks, give mcbain a chance to catch up. he’s had Mo as his COUGH tutor COUGH prior to the new regime, let him get into the flow. no. 1 complaint about him at this point is weak play behind his own net. STOP GETTING NUDGED OFF THE PUCK AND MOVE YOUR FEET!!!
"I need to make sure I don't get too frustrated and stay focused on my game...The points and the offense, you have to believe, are going to come." - Eric Staal, 11/6/2011
by Capt. Stinky on Jan 17, 2012 1:06 PM EST up reply actions
Dumoulin will be more ready on the whole next year, but Murphy would make more of an impact just based on his speed and offensive instincts, IMO.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 17, 2012 3:14 PM EST up reply actions
Personally, I don’t think Sanguinetti is in the mix as a top six for next season. One of Allen/Spacek/Gleason will likely be brought back.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 17, 2012 10:04 AM EST up reply actions
JR seems to be leaning towards keeping Allen from tidbits I’ve ben tracking…. Nothing to go off of mind you, just my gut feel on things.
I’d rank him last among those three as “most likely to re-sign.” Gleason has an A, and Spacek would probably be OK with a one-year deal.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 17, 2012 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
No way they would pay him the same deal he has right now. But one year, $2M? That sounds all right to me.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 17, 2012 12:43 PM EST up reply actions
If there is roster room, then I’d go for it. We will need some veteran defensemen. But with Faulk, Harrison, and Pitkanen guaranteed spots, McBain and Joslin fighting to stay on the roster, Murphy and Dumoulin (we should start adding him to the discussion) coming up, Sanguinetti likely eager, and then Spacek/Gleason/Allen, we are looking at a packed defensive line-up.
With the talk about trading Gleason; what would your guys thoughts be on this trade proposal?
Gleason & Boychuk to Vancouver for Mason Raymond & a conditional 2nd round pick (it would become a 1st if the Canucks make it to the Conference Finals).
Vancouver would get some D help that they’ve been looking for, for their playoff run and a forward prospect that was a 1st round pick.
Carolina would get a speedy forward that has scoring & play-making ability that averages about 0.5 PPG. He has injury history and concerns, but he would be a talent upgrade. We would also get either a late 2nd or possibly even a late 1st.
JR; please dump some players and bring the kids up to stay!
by PackPride17 on Jan 17, 2012 7:02 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Allen’s skating ability and tendency to have a bad penalties scare me. He is definitely the most physical D-Man we’ve got, but those 2 items are a concern for me.
JR; please dump some players and bring the kids up to stay!
by PackPride17 on Jan 17, 2012 11:58 AM EST up reply actions
somebody’s gotta be willing to drop the gloves; if timmay goes, who’s left that can do that?
"I need to make sure I don't get too frustrated and stay focused on my game...The points and the offense, you have to believe, are going to come." - Eric Staal, 11/6/2011
by Capt. Stinky on Jan 17, 2012 1:07 PM EST up reply actions
I like Allen’s game. He takes the occasional “bad penalty” but overall his physicality is worth it.
Please recall how easy it was for anyone to set-up shop in front of Cam before Allen arrived. He doesn’t fight much but he’s a tough SOB and the other teams know it.
by drifterscape on Jan 17, 2012 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
Please recall how easy it was for anyone to set-up shop in front of Cam before Allen arrived.
Thank you! Not having either Gleason or Allen next year really worries me on defense. Opposing teams will be able to set up in front of Cam all night.
"I'm not going to waste my time with Tuukka Rask" - Cam Ward
Allen has more upside than Gleason IMO. During the Washington game, Allen stopped Ovechkin cold quite a few times.
That’s an interesting statement. I would say that Gleason has more upside than Allen, but given what both are likely to make next season; Allen would be the better value.
I actually have an issue with the way Muller is pairing the D right now. I think having Gleason & Allen together is not a good choice. Both of these guys are slow and are usually going up against the opposing team’s top line (which generally has speed).
JR; please dump some players and bring the kids up to stay!
Haven’t Allen and Gleason together been the most effective defensive line we’ve had this year, though? I’m with you PP17 that neither is quick, and for that reason their effectiveness together surprises me. They’ve been doing pretty well as a pair. Maybe they compensate for the speed issue by playing safer on offense and having better hockey sense generally, saving an extra step here and there?
Now that the defensive lines seem to be settling a bit (well, maybe), I think it’ll be easier to compare defensive lines. I’ll definitely be paying more attention to them. Well, if Skinner doesn’t come in and distract me.
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