The Carolina Hurricanes, (6-17-5) bring their much heralded 0-10-3 road record to Pittsburgh as they take on the Penguins at Mellon Arena tonight. The Hurricanes are the only team in the NHL yet to win on the road. Coach Paul Maurice thinks they have played well, but just have not gotten the victories.
Much of the game time news has already been reported. Jay Harrison and Brett Carson have both been recalled to help out on the blueline. Bryan Rodney was sent back to Albany.
Harrison started out the season with the big club, with less than sterling results. Although, his numbers do not look bad compared to some of the other blueliner's at the present time.
This will be the first recall of the year for Carson, who recovered from a broken wrist earlier this season. Both defensemen had excellent numbers for the Rats.
- Carson 14GP 3G 8A 11 points +4
- Harrison 15GP 1G 7A 8 points +4
Niclas Wallin was injured in the Vancouver game and is questionable for will not play tonight. If Wallin can not play, look for Harrison and Carson to be paired up. Talk about "trial by fire".
In other news, Jussi Jokinen has been cleared to play and will return to the lineup. There is no word on who will be the healthy scratch. Chad LaRose? Stephane Yelle? Perhaps we should open another poll? The coach will make his mind up at game time.
UPDATE: According to John Forslund on 99.9 The Fan at 2:45, Rod Brind`Amour will be scratched.
Could this be the proverbial shot across the bow?
Manny Legace will get the nod in goal while Michael Leighton will be backup, even though he was placed on waivers today. Jim Rutherford said this afternoon in an interview with Paul Branecky that the final decision regarding the goalies has not been made, but Legace holds the edge in play so far.
They expect to activate Cam Ward for Wednesday's game in New Jersey.
The Pens have many of the familiar characters which routed the Canes in last year's playoffs. Sidney Crosby has been nursing an injury of his own, but will play tonight.
Of course Eric Staal missed 10 games due to injury, but brother Jordan has better numbers.
The Canes are led by Ray Whitney and Tuomo Ruutu, although Matt Cullen has a five game scoring streak.
Marc-Andre Fleury should be in net for the Pens, although that is unofficial.
The game will start at 7:30 and will be televised locally by FS Carolinas. We will have the open thread up and running at 7.
For the latest about the Penguins, check out Pensburgh. Frank D and company do an excellent job.
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