Hurricanes at Canadiens: Game Day Preview

by Jamie Kellner on Feb 13, 2012 12:00 PM EST in Carolina Hurricanes Game Day Previews

Carolina Hurricanes head coach Kirk Muller returns to face his former team tonight (author's photo).

He scored the Stanley Cup-clinching goal in 1993. He served as team captain in 1994-1995. He helped guide the team to the playoffs four out of five years as an assistant coach. Tonight, Kirk Muller returns to Centre Bell for the first time as head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes to face his former team as the Hurricanes (20-25-11) take on the Montreal Canadiens (23-24-9).

Even without the fanfare of Muller's return, the Hurricanes have much to prove in tonight's match-up, having suffered one of their most uninspired performances of the season the last time the two teams met in Montreal, a 4-0 loss on November 16th. The Canes also lost to the Habs in overtime on home ice on November 23rd.

Former Canadien Jaroslav Spacek, who spent part of three seasons in Montreal, also makes his first return since being acquired by the Canes in exchange for Tomas Kaberle on December 9th.

Jiri Tlusty hopes to continue his hot streak with points in four straight games; he has already set career single-season highs for goals (12), assists (10), and points (22).

Canes News and Notes

As reported yesterday, the Canes have recalled forward Jerome Samson to replace Drayson Bowman, who was reassigned to Charlotte. Samson will have an opportunity to play tonight in front of a hometown crowd, having grown up just a short distance away in Greenfield Park, Quebec.

Hurricanes: Canes Recall Jerome Samson From Charlotte

Charlotte Checkers: Samson Recalled; Bowman Returns

Jaroslav Spacek has been quite outspoken about the fishbowl that is hockey in Montreal. He was quite candid in yesterday's post practice interview.

Hurricanes: Jaro Spacek 2/12 post-practice interview

TSN.ca: Spacek returns to face Habs, explains earlier comments

And showing his well-known mischievous side, this tweet from Dave Stubbs (Montreal Gazette):

@habsinsideout1: I asked #Canes Spatcho if he still had #Habs room key. "I still have the code," he replied, grinning. "I might have to go cut some laces"

There's no shortage of press regarding Muller's return. From yesterday:

Montreal Gazette: Ex-Canadien Kirk Muller readies for return to Bell Centre

Hockey Inside/Out: Audio: Captain Kirk comes home

Hurricanes: Kirk Muller 2/12 post-practice interview

Hurricanes: Tracking the Storm - Spacek, Muller Return to Montreal

And from today:

News & Observer: Canes coach heads back to old home

Hockey Inside/Out: Kirk's Canes on the upswing

Projected lines for the Canes:

Tuomo Ruutu - Eric Staal - Jiri Tlusty
Chad LaRose - Jeff Skinner - Jussi Jokinen
Andreas Nodl - Brandon Sutter - Patrick Dwyer
Jerome Samson - Tim Brent - Anthony Stewart

Tim Gleason - Bryan Allen
Jay Harrison - Justin Faulk
Jaroslav Spacek - Jamie McBain

Cam Ward is expected to start in net, backed up by Justin Peters.

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2011 - Cam Ward	49	2863	20	18		133	2.79	1508	1375	.912	3

Defenseman Derek Joslin is expected to be a healthy scratch. Joni Pitkanen (knee/concussion) and Brian Boucher (lower body) remain out of the lineup on injured reserve.

Not directly game-related, but worthy of a read, from this morning's News & Observer, Luke DeCock has a feature about Mike Chiasson, son of the late Steve Chiasson:

NewsObserver.com: Son of Canes' Chiasson makes own name on ice

Habs News and Notes

The Canadiens did not practice on Sunday, after spoiling a night honoring Mats Sundin with a 5-0 shutout of the Toronto Maple Leafs. A week ago they were in last place in the Eastern Conference but thanks to four straight wins they now sit in the 11th spot. Key to those four wins has been the performance of All Star goaltender Carey Price, who has only allowed four goals (including two shutouts) while starting all four games for the resurgent Habs.

Max Pacioretty is on fire with five goals in the last four games and currently leads the Habs in points (42). Ex-Cane Erik Cole remains solid in scoring with 20 goals and 21 assists, which ties him with Hurricanes team leader Eric Staal (41 points).

The Canadiens also made roster moves on Sunday, recalling forwards Ryan White (from a conditioning stint) and Ian Schultz. Both players (known mostly for their sandpaper) have played 3 games in 3 days with the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs. It is undetermined whether either will be in the lineup or where they will be slotted (they are in town and available for tonight but not participating in the Habs morning skate). I'll post the projected lines if made available this afternoon. Carey Price is expected to start in net, backed up by Peter Budaj.

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2011 - Carey Price	48	2908	21	19		112	2.31	1367	1255	.918	4

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2011 - Peter Budaj	8	484	2	5		22	2.73	233	211	.906	0

For other Canadiens news and updates, check out SBNation affiliate Habs Eyes on the Prize.

If there are any other updates following the morning skates, I'll publish an edit later this afternoon.

Gametime is 7:30 pm on Fox Sports Carolinas or WCMC 99.9 The Fan. We'll have the open game thread starting at 7:00 pm. See you there.

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Comments

prediction

Jerome is going to put a lot of shots on net and Skins is going be in the dirty area ready to scoop the Garbage

by jerry6racing on Feb 13, 2012 12:19 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

Just Can't wait for this game...

Few Pictures. I really want to see the Canes kicking Montreal’s ass :-)

by Sou on Feb 13, 2012 12:47 PM EST reply actions

Nice shots! What kind of camera are you using?

twitter @jbk_ltd

by Jamie Kellner on Feb 13, 2012 1:26 PM EST up reply actions

Looking forward to the reception Muller gets from the Habs fans.
Hoping Samson can put the home crowd jitters away and play the game we saw him play during his first call-up.
Has anyone else been pretty impressed with Nodl lately?

by Hockeydog on Feb 13, 2012 1:08 PM EST reply actions

I’m betting Spacek gets the nasty reception, if there is one.

Nodl’s been solid defensively, just like his linemates. Fun to watch them do all the right things.

by Bgallen on Feb 13, 2012 1:19 PM EST up reply actions

Habs on the Prize...statistical analysis

There is an article preceding tonight’s game update analyzing something of value to a whole host of Montreal fans that might be as important as the chemical composition of the pegs holding the goal in place on the ice. We all need to hope and pray at least this one Canadian isn’t transferred to Raleigh in the near future. Boy did Spacek nail it on the circus that is the world of the Montreal fan. At least there were no complaints the article wasn’t in French.

by surgalt on Feb 13, 2012 1:29 PM EST reply actions

Why is Chad LaRose listed on the 2nd line

And Samson on the 4th? Jerome played great with Skinner before he was injured – I say put him back on that line.

by caniacmum on Feb 13, 2012 2:47 PM EST reply actions

agree

by dbaerry34 on Feb 13, 2012 3:02 PM EST up reply actions

Seconded. Unless there remains a question whether Chad belongs in a top 6 position on next years team.

by surgalt on Feb 13, 2012 3:13 PM EST up reply actions

this made me throw up in my mouth. blech.

"Look into my eyes and repeat after me: I will vacation in Ontario. I will vacation in Ontario. I will vacation in Ontario..."

by Capt. Stinky on Feb 13, 2012 3:18 PM EST up reply actions

Stinky,
Have you been watching Two and a Half Men reruns also?

by surgalt on Feb 13, 2012 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

I reported it that way here only because it’s what is currently showing on the Canes website as the depth chart, and absent any other information…

There was really nothing forthcoming from yesterday’s practice, or today’s for that matter. The media in attendance was more interested in talking to Muller about his visit to Le Centre Bell than they were trying to find out if he was going to make any line-upchanges going into tonight’s game.

The video that Sou posted below, from Sunday, showed Chad still on the fourth line. Stewart had moved up to take Bowman’s place, and Joslin was filling in on the 4th line because we have an extra defenseman and Samson hadn’t arrived.

As far as tonight is concerned, probably won’t know for sure until they take the ice for warmups.

twitter @jbk_ltd

by Jamie Kellner on Feb 13, 2012 4:23 PM EST up reply actions

thanks for the link on Michael Chiasson… its a nice story

by dbaerry34 on Feb 13, 2012 3:20 PM EST reply actions

+3

Megaweapon… Megaweapon… Megaweapon…

by Kid CHUD on Feb 13, 2012 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

Sunday Practice Video..

I know its in French, but look at the training

http://tvasports.ca/video/1448688929001

Link

by Sou on Feb 13, 2012 3:37 PM EST reply actions

Grain of salt, but if these numbers are anywhere near what Ruutu is asking, methinks it’s bon voyage:

@HHR_hockey T.Ruutu: Appears as though Ruutu is back in play after a short stint at contract talks. Ruutu camp put offer of $25.25M/5 Years..

CanesCountry.com: An Eye On Carolina Hockey

by Cory Lavalette on Feb 13, 2012 4:21 PM EST reply actions

i’ll never understand it

"a bit of love"

by chrisj on Feb 13, 2012 4:23 PM EST up reply actions

There’s also a rumor we’ve traded Tuomo to the Flyers for Couturier and a 3rd in 2013.

twitter @jbk_ltd

by Jamie Kellner on Feb 13, 2012 4:41 PM EST up reply actions

Hmmm

Might have to do that one ,but JR would need 1 more top 6 forward still.

by hellfish on Feb 13, 2012 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

That would be the steal of the century. Couturier is a future star.

by JussiJuice on Feb 13, 2012 5:18 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Im ok with this

by Iggy Reilly on Feb 13, 2012 7:11 PM EST up reply actions

There’s also a rumor he wants $22.5m/5 years.

twitter @jbk_ltd

by Jamie Kellner on Feb 13, 2012 4:46 PM EST up reply actions

Ruutu $$$

That’s more reasonable there @ $4.5 per yr.

by hellfish on Feb 13, 2012 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

To much

That’s Jeff Carter money ,and not a 50pt scorer money…$4.75 for 5yrs would be my number ,but that’s just a difference of 300k per year ,so there not far off however other than Parise the pickins are slim ,and the contract to who’s left will be similar ,so if I’m JR I might offer that for the first 2yrs ,and drop it to $4.75 or $4.5 for the last 3 ,and that would be real close imo.

by hellfish on Feb 13, 2012 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t know if I’d sign Ruutu to five years, that seems kind of long. I’d rather us sign him for about 3 or maybe 4. I wouldn’t mind somewhere around 4.25/4.5 for 3 or 4 years.

"I'm not going to waste my time with Tuukka Rask" - Cam Ward

by anonymousJ on Feb 13, 2012 4:57 PM EST up reply actions

That same tweeter followed up with this…

Canes and Ruutu are pretty far off right now, but things could improve to a 4.8M a year I’m hearing ..IF they don’t get a 1st + in a trade…

So he not only has an in with Ruutu’s camp, because he knows what Tuomo’s asking, but he’s also in with JR because he knows what JR’s willing to do if there are no big bites on the trade front.

twitter @jbk_ltd

by Jamie Kellner on Feb 13, 2012 5:14 PM EST up reply actions

LaRose

That same feed has Rosey being traded to the Canucks.

by hellfish on Feb 13, 2012 6:27 PM EST up reply actions

SMH

Everyone knows Rosey’s going to the Blackhawks.

twitter @jbk_ltd

by Jamie Kellner on Feb 13, 2012 6:42 PM EST up reply actions

Quelle raison pour Monsieur Samson?

I think that this way, we will have someone that speaks French in the locker room – that’s the real reason that JR brought him up. He will get Cunneyworth into an argument en francais, and when he can’t reply, he’ll be tossed out of Montreal faster than fans can dial 911 (the Habs fans did dial 911 when Pacioretty got Chara’d into the stanchion – to get Chara arrested).

In any case, I really hope that Ruutu does go, but that JR doesn’t burn any bridges, so he will resign this summer. If we do get a great player and a pick, then perhaps he’ll come back to play a role on a better team next year. The sooner these guys move, the better reward. Wonder how many scouts will be at the game tonight – I just hope Allen, Spacek, and Ruutu have a great audition (and Rosey for that matter – since half of this website wants him traded), and that Samson performs well for the home fans.

by jbwhite99 on Feb 13, 2012 5:56 PM EST reply actions

Samson...

Samson is playing in his hometown. He would probably show his skills in front of his family and friends… maybe a hat trick we never know :-P

by Sou on Feb 13, 2012 6:31 PM EST up reply actions

Samson and Montreal

I thought Samson was playing very well before getting hurt. Bowman was brought up to play against Colorado where he grew up. Samson is being brought up to play against Montreal where he grew up. I view both as reasonable rewards to Bowman and Samson for their very hard and consistent play. Maybe the recalls against a home town team are just coincidences; or perhaps it is part of an approach of rewarding hard play and providing further motivation; or some combination of the two.

by abramsdoug on Feb 13, 2012 6:41 PM EST up reply actions

vorp

does someone compute vorp for nhl players? also, yes, just outed myself as a total dork.

would love to see the vorp for ruutu as that would be interesting in computing a good salary guess.

by chrisbrasfield on Feb 13, 2012 6:50 PM EST via Android app reply actions

Not that I’m aware of. That being said, I had no idea what VORP was until I googled it, now I want it too.

twitter @jbk_ltd

by Jamie Kellner on Feb 13, 2012 6:53 PM EST up reply actions

its great for mlb

just feels like ruutu would be high there for the total package (hits, points, etc)
I guess its a little tougher as you are more dependent on the players around you in hockey over baseball.
that said, any discussion of ruin’s contract has to factor in the opportunity cost of him leaving and getting replaced. while 5mm/5 years obviously feels high, I think id go 5mm/3 years of 4.5mm/4 years.

by chrisbrasfield on Feb 13, 2012 6:58 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

oh autocorrect

ruin = ruu

by chrisbrasfield on Feb 13, 2012 6:59 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

Ruutu’s value (which IMO is rather unique) is about so much more than points, which is why I don’t think you can just straight up compare him to [insert any other 20-goal scorer’s name here].

But I’m sure that’s just me ;)

twitter @jbk_ltd

by Jamie Kellner on Feb 13, 2012 7:05 PM EST up reply actions

I agree 100%

I’d love to see correlation of linemates performance this year with ruutu being there as you hinted at the other day. may be a way to help craft an nhl vorp along with some other items….

by chrisbrasfield on Feb 13, 2012 7:14 PM EST via Android app reply actions