The Hurricanes defense has certainly looked in synch the past two games. What happened to the bunch of slow-footed dudes that had more goals scored against them than just about anyone else in the NHL? Not only have they allowed just one goal in the past 2 games, but they have also limited the opposition to just 19 shots on goal each game. That's an average of about 6 shots per period. Excellent job!
The addition of Casey Borer has been a help, but the rest of the blueliners have come together and limited the time and space to oncoming skaters in a big way. Kudos to the Carolina forwards as well who have been much more responsible in their own end. It certainly makes a goalie's job easier when he isn't facing multiple wide open chances and odd man rushes every game.
Jim Rutherford was interviewed on 620 The Bull yesterday and a podcast of it is posted here on "The Blog". JR discusses the picking up of Sergei Samsonov as well as his frustration in watching the team's apparent lack of effort on certain nights. He admitted that as a fan, some nights he goes home wanting to make a trade to shake things up, but more often than not, patience is usually a wiser course of action.
Rutherford went on to say that if the defense continued to play this well and the team's work ethic remained consistently high, he didn't think that he really needed to make an upgrade. (hear that boys?) It was an interesting interview and the General Manager was definitely giving his players a message, (just in case they didn't already figure that out when he shook up the goaltending situation last week.)
I'm still curious what he would have had to say if asked about the Toronto rumors earlier this season.
The Hurricanes take on Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils tonight at the RBC, but it seems like half the team could be sick with the bug. Poor Keith Aucoin and Brandon Nolan. Both were recently sent back to Albany, but both have been asked to return to Raleigh, ASAP. Oh well, I'm sure they aren't complaining.
Peter Laviolette said that he's not sure who will play and who won't because he's not sure who will be healthy at game time. Trevor Letowski is the flu's latest victim. Ray Whitney and Glen Wesley were still out as of this moning. The Canes on the IR have not changed status. Cam Ward will be in net, but Caniacs will have to wait and see what the lines are later tonight.
Game time at 7.
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The Police
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