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Another Line Change: Flyers At Hurricanes, Game Day Preview

By Bob Wage
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The Carolina Hurricanes, (14-22-7) will change up their lines again as they take on the Philadelphia Flyers, (24-12-4) tonight at the RBC. As was reported earlier, Chad LaRose is out with an injury, and Jerome Samson will be taking his spot.

The Hurricanes coaches are switching things up again, as they look for more balance tonight against the loaded Flyers. Look for the following lines:

  • Tlusty, Staal, Ruutu
  • Dwyer, Sutter, Nodl
  • Samson, Jokinen, Ponikarovsky
  • Stewart, Brent, Sutter
  • Gleason, McBain
  • Harrison, Faulk
  • Allen, Spacek

Cam Ward will start in goal and will face Sergei Bobrovsky, who has outplayed high dollar free agent acquisition, Ilya Bryzgalov so far this year.

GP MIN W L EGA GA GAA SA SV SV% SO
2011 - Cam Ward 36 2072 14 15 110 3.19 1079 969 .898 1

GP MIN W L EGA GA GAA SA SV SV% SO
2011 - Sergei Bobrovsky 15 773 8 3 33 2.56 382 349 .914 0



The Hurricanes and Flyers have met three times so far this season, with the Canes losing two of three.

The Flyers are led by Claude Giroux who has 48 points in 36 games. After missing a couple of games because of a concussion, he's back and doing damage for the Flyboys.

GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2011 - Claude Giroux 36 18 30 48 5 16 5 0 5 101


Chip Alexander caught up with him today.

Giroux has felt Skinner's pain

Watch out for the sharpshooter tonight. He has seven points, (3G 4A) in just three games against the Canes this season.

For more info about the Flyers, check out our top notch partners at Broad Street Hockey, as well as the group over at the BuzzonBroad.

With Peter Laviolette coming back to town, it reminds many fans of better days. Luke DeCock had an excellent article this morning regarding the franchise's reluctance to recognize the coach's achievement of winning the Cup, as well as owner Peter Karmanos' criticism of said coach.

Canes should give Laviolette his due

We talked about the incident here on the blog after it happened: Karmanos Blasts Laviolette. I think most objective people would agree that they prefer Laviolette's win/loss record as a coach, versus Karmanos' win/loss record as an owner. 'Nuff said.

Samson is looking forward to getting more playing time and a better chance to show his stuff tonight. Michael Smith has more in his game day article:

Samson excited about elevated role

Brandon Sutter is currently the hottest Hurricane and has points in three straight games, (2G 2A).

The Canes are 5-1-1 in their last seven games at home. Jussi Jokinen has scored 15 points in 15 career games against the Flyers. Can he get unglued tonight? Cam Ward is 5-9-2 career against this team. Bobrovsky is 3-1 liftetime against Carolina.

The game will be televised locally by FS Carolinas. We'll have our open game thread ready at 6:30.