(NHL.com photo)
New Carolina forward, Tuomo Ruutu isn't going to allow a little scratch to keep him down. According to Lord Stanley's Blog, Ruutu will be in the lineup tonight for the Hurricanes when they take on the visiting New York Rangers, although he will be wearing a protective cage ala Andrew Ladd earlier this year.
Ruutu suffered the 40 stitch gash near the end of the New Jersey game at the "hands" of Patrik Elias. While the Finn will be in the lineup, defenseman Tim Gleason will not be. Gleason was also knocked out of that game with a head injury and still is not feeling up to returning to the ice.
The rest of the lineup should be about the same as the Jersey game, except that Dennis Seidenberg could replace Gleason at the blueline. Seidenberg has been working hard at practice recently and might be ready to go.
I'm sure that coach Peter Laviolette will be mixing and matching the lines as the game dictates, but they could look as follows....
- Staal-Cole-Whitney
- Cullen-Samsonov-Ruutu
- Aucoin-Walker-Bayda
- Eaves-Brookbank-Conboy
- Wallin-Kaberle
- Wesley-Corvo
- Seidenberg-Hedican
Cam Ward will certainly be in the net again for the Canes.
The Rangers have been off since Saturday when they beat the Panthers 5-0, so they might be a little bit rusty getting into this game. The Hurricanes are riding a red hot 7-0-1 record in their last 8 games at home. Matt Cullen's best friend, Colton Orr is injured and will not suit up for this one. Sean Avery will be on the ice though, so there will be someone for the Carolina faithful to focus their wrath on.
Gametime is at 7 and it will be broadcast locally on FSN!
Bryan Adams