Caps at Canes, Gameday Preview
The Washington Capitals visit the Carolina Hurricanes tonight for round two of the six round heavyweight bout between division rivals. Last week, the Caps stole two points from Carolina as one of the leading scorers in the NHL, Alexander Semin, lit the lamp twice in the final three minutes to give his club a 3-2 win. Semin’s game-winner came with just 10.9 seconds left in the contest.
The Hurricanes showed a lot of resiliency though as they came right back with a gutsy effort the very next night to defeat the Ottawa Senators, 2-1. But unfortunately, they lost any gained momentum by losing to Atlanta on Sunday, 5-2.
While the Canes have lost two of their last three, the Caps have won three in a row and have taken over first place in the division. (Both teams have 18 points, but Washington has a game in hand).
Brent Johnson has been the hero in goal for them for those games and was rewarded by winning NHL’s third star of the week. New goalie acquisition Jose Theodore makes the big bucks and supposedly is the “number one” goalie, but coach Bruce Boudreau is riding the hot hand and will be staying with Johnson until he plays his way out of the lineup.
Canes fans are hoping that will happen tonight.
The Hurricanes used a somewhat different goalie strategy as they returned with their “number one” goalie, Cam Ward on Sunday, even though backup Michael Leighton had a very strong game against Ottawa on Friday night.
But now, coach Laviolette announced that he will be going with Leighton in goal for tonight’s game. Last year’s top goalie in the AHL currently has a save percentage of .921 and GAA of 2.37.
Johnson has a GAA of 2.11 and a save percentage of .931.
The Hurricanes are 3-3 at home while the Capitals are 2-4-1 on the road.
Some good news for Carolina is that a few of their injured players will be returning to the ice. Matt Cullen will be playing after missing the past five games with a groin injury. Joni Pitkanen practiced with the team and should be returning after missing the last eight games, and Brandon Sutter could also be back in the lineup after missing eight games.
The recent lines in practice were as follows-
- Staal, Ruutu, Whitney
- Cullen, Walker, Samsonov
- Brind’Amour, LaRose, Bayda
- Sutter, Helminen, Brookbank
- Gleason, Pitkanen
- Corvo, Wallin
- Seidenberg, Babchuk
Frank Kaberle has also been skating and is close to making a return as well, although it probably will not happen tonight.
If you are curious about Washington’s perspective, check out Japer’s Rink.
If anything new comes up, either Cory or I will cover it at lunchtime. Game time is at 7 and it will be broadcast by FS Carolinas.
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Question for the Canes tickets giveaway, worth 10 Canes Country Points-
Guess the correct final score of the game tonight, including the winning team, and win 10 points. There can be more than one winner for this particular question.
(For instance, if you want to choose the final score of 3-2, Hurricanes, and someone else has already posted that result, you may post it again anyway and both of you would win 10 points if that occurred.)
One entry per user and guesses are cut off at game time.
About the Author: Bubba is a hockey fan/citizen journalist who has always wanted to be a sportswriter and is pursuing his dream. He also writes a Hurricanes blog for 
Caniac324 | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Question Answer 5-3 Hurricanes!
TylerA | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Canes 4 Caps 2
Nathan | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
I hate to say it, but…4-1 Capitals
Russ | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Canes 3-1
Adam | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
3 - 1 Canes. Think getting some guys back gives them the extra step tonight.
Selene | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Canes 4 Caps 2
Andrea | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
I’ll give leighton the win - score 4-1
puckheadjones | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Canes 4
Caps 2
(empty net goal makes it a 2 goal game)
Hanrahanfan | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
canes 4 caps 3
Mason | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Canes win it, 3-2
JohnS | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Bubba & Cory
Do us all a favor and ditch the contests. Stick with first class content, which usually elicits comments worth
reading.
Most of us do not care about trivia or guess the score silliness.
Cathye | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Canes win, 5-3
kec | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Shutout 0-1 Canes!
CaneFan | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
2-0 Caps
David | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
6-2 Hurricanes
Cory | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
It looks like Fedorov and Morrisonn are out, with Kozlov a *maybe* right now. Sounds like it’ll be Johnson in goal again.
John — There are around 15 paragraphs of game preview right above the trivia. Everyone is welcome to comment on that, too.
Cory | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Chip reporting Cullen, Sutter and Pitkanen will indeed all play tonight. Eaves is out, Helminen (over Dwyer …. hmmm) back to Albany.
Charleston Caniac | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Answer: Hurricanes win 4-2! I hope…
Fred | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
I got tickets for tonight’s game. This is a College night game so if you know anyone with a college email address, go the carolinahurricanes.com/college and buy some tix. $25 per seat for lower level N and S and $35 for sideline premiere.
I feel that there will be a lot of Caps fans tonight - when they are winning, they have a lot of bandwagon fans. So, we need some voice. Last game I went to - the Red Wings - I felt like I was sitting in Joe Louis there were so many LOUD Wings fans there.
Fred | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
I vote 5 - 2 Canes - no one has guessed that yet.
fredwiAtSAS | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Bubba/ Cory - I finally got an official userid and pwd. Reregister my above vote for 5 -2 Canes.
SamsonovFan | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
I hate to use the example given, but I do think it will be Canes, 3-2. Staal flopping like a fish (Japer’s Rink)… yeah… whatever. Staal is going to dominate and have a great game tonight.
Maybe there could be two columns for comments under the blog articles that have contest questions - one for the comments and one for the contest answers. With smaller text size. That may not be possible or too difficult (I am sure it is), but that design might be a good compromise between the fun of answering below the blog article and reading others’ answers and not having to answer through a different link or contest page/window on the site. * Or not… why mess with perfection :). * Good idea about the contests… keep up the great work and innovation, guys.
[ hope you had a wonderful anniversary, Bubba! Congratulations! ]
AD | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
What happened to the Ruutu-LaRose-Hellminen line?
I am tired of all these non-sensical line changes.
I don’t get it. I don’t think that all this juggling is good for the players either.
Anyone?
keclkc | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
I posted earlier 0-1 canes
AD | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Oh Bubba….I know it is late, but hope you and the Mrs are still celebrating.
About the contest, I agree with Samsonov Fan (by the way, you must be cringing about Sammy so far!!).
I’ve got a question for the contest, triggered by SamsonovFan….how about wagering on when will Sammy get his first goal.
Bubba | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
John-
I hear you and I was hoping that answering the contest questions wouldn’t take away from the normal discussion we have going on here.
A couple of potential sponsors have thrown out the idea of offering up some freebies and having a raffle of sorts, so we are testing out this concept as a way to do it.
But admittedly, we are still learning as we are going and will attempt to figure out a better way to do it. Perhaps it is possible to keep it separate from the primary content.
Thanks for the input.
AD and samsofan-
Thanks, we had a great time.
The ever-popular Ruutu/Helminen/LaRose line is “ancient” history. Especially now, since Helminen was returned to Albany today to make room for Sutter. Too bad, that line had a lot of jump and played well together.
Interesting that the Canes decided to keep Dwyer over Helminen, probably because of his PK ability.
Lou | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Canes win 4-2
M Torres | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Canes 3-2
fauxrumors | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
1) Canes 6 Caps 3
SamsonovFan | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
I should have picked a more general username given I am a past Whalers fan, but I decided to “plant the flag” early last spring on Sammie when he first arrived and after seeing his play and hustle in both ends at a time when hustle seemed to be at a minimum. Clearly he was not used properly or did not fit in properly in the past… i wonder how much was actually that and how little was for reasons given in the backlash he received - unjustifiably in my opinion.
Yeah… this guy has so much talent and skill. This is a riddle wrapped up in an enigma. Something is not clicking this year. He is working every shift, though, so you can’t really fault him. The effort is definitely there. I think it is the line pairings, as was discussed last week. His quickness and unpredictability has to be matched with someone who can quickly anticipate his passes and his movements (for passes to him). The Rod-LaRose-Sammie line was intriguing to me. Two players who are buzzing. I dunno. Then there is the size and physicality problem. Tonight’s pairings will be interesting, esp i Walker can provide some screening (Sammie is *just* missing a bunch of goals and a good screen will help). When Rod goes from 80% to 100%, I think that will help too, as he and Sammie were gold last year when they worked together.
Regardless, he is fun to watch!!! And I think folks are pulling for him.
SamsonovFan | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Oh… and his first goal will come TONIGHT, AD.
Wufpirate | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Gimme 5-4 Canes
Adios Josef “Pylon” Melichar, for now!
Also - I got word today from Paul Strand that there is a UNC vs. NCSU Shootout during one of the intermissions tonight!
Jeffrey Beaumont | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
4-3 OT win Carolina
Cory | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
John Forslund has reported on his blog that Josef Melichar was cleared waivers but will remain with the team, so I guess this was an attempt to shed his salary, since he was not assigned to Albany.
AD | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Had no idea Hellminen had been sent back. What a shame.
Hope Sutter isn’t rushing it. He had a torn lung as well. Hard to imagine getting hit so hard that your innards scramble to such an extent.
Here’s another enigma. What was JR thinking when he signed an injured Eaves. That has not worked out at all.
It’s deja-vu all over. Players injured AND worn out already. I am worried.
SFan….please be right. He needs it. We need him.
Anyway, I am psyched.
Cory | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Eaves was — and still is, IMO — a gamble worth taking. His cap hit is only $1.4M through 2010-11. Comparatively, that’s almost the same cap hit as Sutter’s ($1.225 b/c his bonuses count toward the cap). Granted, Sutter has outplayed Eaves to this point, but who would’ve bet on that to start the year?
I wouldn’t give up on Patrick just yet. A little time off might be exactly what he needs.
SamsonovFan | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Yeah… I am concerned about rushing folks back before they are fully healed. In the long-run, that strategy backfires. Regardless, there needs to be some serious protecting of our players going on this evening against a physical team.
Hopefully Brookbank can set some “guidelines” early in the game to protect our players from more injury. (Would help if he does not end up being the punching bag himself.) Gleason too. Ruutu and Walker have to do some enforcnig without fighting. Conboy and LaCouture could also help, but I digress… pardon me.
I am also psyched for the game tonight!! Can’t wait!
Jonathan | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
5-1 Caps unfortunatly!
packpigskinfan25 | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
5-4 Canes
Hate to see that Ruutu-Helminen-Larose line broken up… I just hope Lavi sticks with the lines tonight, and doesnt change them up non-stop during the game. If it is needed in the first to get things going, then fine. If we have energy and are getting shots on goal DONT FREAKING MESS WITH THE LINES!
puckheadjones | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Regarding the Sammie and no goal issue, IMO I believe that that line is really missing Willie as is the entire team. No matter of Brindy is pushin 80 to 90%, I think if Willie was on that line Sammie would have already scored in this maturing season. Really cant call it a young season as we are already into the middle of November. Just my 2 cents.
*Caniac* | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Canes-3
Caps-2
(Im calling at OT on this one)
CaniacFan7 | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
4-2 Canes
GO CANES!!!
McCoy | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
I think raffles would be better. The way it works right now is who ever gets online first, normaly gets the points. If not the first person at least the top three.
0-2 Canes
Samsonov will score an empty net goal tonight….I hope
SamsonovFan | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Great point about Williams, puckheadjones!! Agreed… he might be the missing link and catalyst in this case.
SamsonovFan | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
… but it is also up to Samsonov himself to try to make some adjustments, too, in order for things to work.
Bubba | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Game time, the predictions are officially cut off now.
Ken | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Canes 5 Caps 3
Jonathan | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Bubba, are you going to give the 10 points to the closest vote?
wylde4canes | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Jonathan is looking like the winner. Someone needs to stop the bleeding in this club NOW! At this point if someone does not step up an dtake leadership of this team in players or coaches, we are doomed. This is unacceptable.
Jonathan | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
5-1 Caps…I called it! I think there should be more than 10 points on the line for calling it correctly..haha
Parker | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Bubba…. what is it going to take to get this team to play seriously? Please give me some positive news. I cant take any more games like this. I really cant. SOMETHING has got to change. Larose and Bayda have been our BEST players. Maybe we need to call up the Rats? PLEASE give me something positive.
SamsonovFan | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Bring up Conboy and LaCouture.
Time to shake things up and bring in raw emotion. Obviously we have players who do not have the ferocity to play with consistent fire. Let them watch as guys who appreciate the opportunity and every single second of icetime tear it up.
We need intensity.
dropthepuck | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
OMG what a nightmare tonight. No team cohesion, no visible effort, lots of poor passing and standing around. What is going on with these guys? Even the folks in attendance could barely muster a cheer, as we had nothing remotely worth cheering about. How many point blank opportunities did Staal miss? As a STH and longtime fan (since their pre-Hartford incarnation) I am in shock — at least a loss with a valiant effort has some dignity–this is just sad, sad, sad.
Swenk | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
WITHOUT A DOUBT WORST TEAM EFFORT IN TWO SEASONS. WE HAVE BEEN BEATEN BY SIMILAR SCORES, BUT NOT IN OVERALL EFFORT. NOTHING POSITIVE ABOUT TONIGHT’S GAME….WELL NO ONE GOT HURT….THAT WE KNOW OF. STAAL IS SNAKE BITTEN…RODDY IS NO WHERE NEAR 100%…LAVI SHOULD HAVE JUST PLAYED RUTUU-WALKER-BAYDA THE WHOLE THIRD PERIOD…WHY DO WE HAVE A ROSTER SPOT TIED UP FOR BROOKBANK? THE GUYS DIDN’T EVEN STAND UP FOR ONE ANOTHER TONIGHT..SAD BUT TRUE. SUTTER COULD HAVE TAKEN MORE SHIFTS IN THE THIRD AS WELL
Jonathan | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
I agree. This game was brutal to watch. It really looked like two different classes of teams playing out there.
Why no fight from Brookbank or Gleason to get the team sparked? I was waiting for it after the Caps went up 3-1. We really havent seen that much this year.
I think that main thing that is continuing that has been going on for most of the season is Defensive turnovers! We’ve got to stop changing lines up, stop changing goalies up and let our guys get some chemistry going.
This is starting to get out of control in a bad way!
Andrea | Nov 13, 2008 | Reply
I’m distressed about the return of Helminen to the minors and the break-up of the Rosie/Ruutu/helminen line. I know it’s been a while since they played together, but they were working! I felt like the best “shot” of the night was a dump out by Pitkanen that happened to go on goal (OK, well there was at least one other good shot, but honestly, the effort was pathetic). Why break up the one line that seemed to be working consistently?
That, and no one appeared to be capable of any sort of physical play - as if the entire team (espc. sutter, pitkanen, cullen -and i know they are just returning, but if they’re not ready… ) was timid- exceptions to this observation were ruutu, maybe gleason. The rest looked like a herd of deer caught in the headlights.
And it was sad.
Bubba | Nov 13, 2008 | Reply
Congrats to Jonathan who was the only person who predicted that score.
I’ll try to answer some of the questions posted here in my next article.