Turn The Page - Preds 5, Canes 2
The Nashville Predators dismantled the Carolina Hurricanes at the RBC Center on Sunday afternoon by a score of 5-2. After winning three games in a row the Canes were due for a let down, and that is exactly what happened.
The Hurricanes had every opportunity to put this game out of reach in the first period as the Predators were called for five, (5) consecutive penalties. At one point the home team had 1:14 of a two-man advantage that was wasted. Then they had 35 seconds of a 4 on 3, and immediately after that yet another 43 seconds of 5 on 3, but still could not get off a decent shot or scoring opportunity during the whole mess of a powerplay.
The Preds came into the game ranked 28th in the league on the penalty kill while on the road. Those percentages are sure to go up after this game.
Nashville had a 1-0 lead after the first period and extended their lead to 4-0 by the second intermission. Several of the Hurricanes did not seem to have any jump or energy throughout most of the contest. Neither Rod Brind’Amour or Eric Staal registered a single shot on goal in the entire game.
Just 30 seconds into the third period, Matt Cullen rifled a shot past Nashville goalie Dan Ellis and the fans finally had something to cheer about. The goal seemed to provide a touch of spark to the Canes bench as well.
Just six minutes later, Chad LaRose made a very nice hustle play and somehow got a shot past Ellis even with a defenseman draped all over him. The score was 4-2 and some fans were thinking about miracle comebacks.
Nashville coach Barry Trotz called timeout though, and got his team back on track.
A few minutes later, Shea Weber scored his second goal of the game on a blast from the blueline, and the game was over. The widely unheralded Predator superstar already led the NHL with the most goals for a defenseman and just padded his total even further.
The Hurricanes need to turn the page and put this episode behind them quickly because they are faced with a back-to-back challenge in Sunrise, Florida tonight.
Thoughts and observations-
Patrick Eaves left the game early and officially has an “upper body’ concern. In the dressingroom after the game I saw him with his arm in a sling.
Tim Gleason also left the game early after sliding feet first into the boards. He tried to return to the contest, but went back to the locker room almost immediately. He officially has a “lower body” concern. After the game the media asked Laviolette about the status of both players, but the coach did not know.
Josef Melichar played for the first time since returning from the waiver wire and Anton Babchuk was scratched for this contest.
The regular 5 on 4 powerplay did not look very good, but the team really looked inept with the two man advantage. The passing looked too nonchalant and soft. They continually were outworked by the three defensemen while they played around with the puck.
The 5 on 3 has not looked good this entire season. Maybe it’s time for a change?
If it seems to you like the Canes are not scoring much at home during the first period, you would be correct. In 11 games on home ice so far this season, Carolina has only scored 5 times in the first period, while scoring 13 times in the second, and 12 times in the third.
Mini rant-
In my opinion, these repetitive Sunday matinees are not a good idea. Once in awhile would be fine, but to have Sunday games every single Sunday in November is quite frankly, not good scheduling. The 3PM start times are a disaster. Attendance for the three November games starting at 3PM have been 12,398, 13,781, and 13,042, three of the four lowest attended games of the season.
I look around the league and I don’t see many other games played at this time. They usually are not televised, I assume because there are several NFL games going on at the same time. Saturday night games have always been popular and well attended. It’s a shame one or two of those contests couldn’t have been played at a more “normal” time frame.
If Hurricanes management has anything to say about this error in scheduling, they should take note and make changes next season.
(attendance numbers and some stats taken from The Whaler’s Hurricanes Hockey Report)
Coach Laviolette was obviously disappointed after the game-
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 
Matt | Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
Ok, so after a three game win streak, the Canes dropped a game. Normally, that would be forgivable. However, given our “previous” standing in the division (down a point to the Caps with the same number of games played), and playing at home, the Canes should have provided more of an effort.
Quite frankly, this team is extremely irritating for multiple reasons.
1) We have not made the playoffs since we won the cup.
2) Patrick Eaves is perpetually injured – (undifferent since the day he was traded to the Canes).
3) How much are we paying Justin Williams to continue his rehab….2007 through 2009?
4) I would continue to complain, but life is too short, and the way that the Canes are playing, they do not deserve my comments.
Although I am a huge Peter Laviolette fan, I need some “change” that I can count on. If they don’t make the playoffs this year- can his butt. This is getting ridiculous, we are too good on paper but no good on the ice.
Caron | Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
How does a team that looked as good on Friday look like deadweights yesterday? I just cannot understand it. This was a TEAM LOSS, no way to point at one player. I’m usually looking at everything Ward does good or bad, but yesterday I was there and I said it doesn’t matter what he does, the rest of the team is screwing it up so there was nothing he could do any worse.
It was being said that on Friday they changed their style to just basic hockey, but it looks like they went back to what I call Lavi’s game play yesterday which again sucked. I use to be one of his biggest advocates, but he just needs to go. That team yesterday could not have beaten any AHL team put in front of them.
I’m terrified that Gleason is going to be out for a while. Even one game will be devastating to this team. Hopefully he won’t be as bad as it looked.
I remember last year at the Father’s game Chad LaRose said he had to play good because he was more scared of his father after the game than he was the coach. That is why he scored that goal yesterday so his dad wouldn’t spank his *ss after the game. Seeing that goal and Cullen having a mini comeback was the only joy in that game yesterday.
Mateo | Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
Also yesterday; Guns N’ Roses FINALLY released their new CD Chinese Democracy… And it is only twice as bad as the hockey game between the ‘Canes and the Preds… THAT SUCKS!
TylerA | Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
Off topic but I was looking over some stats of players we’ve recently traded away vs. who we traded for. Commodore stands out the most hes got 9 pts in 20 games and he’s +1. Impressive for the big guy….on pace for about 40 pts. Coles only got 3g 4a 7pts. Im still happy about that trade. I liked Cole a lot and he was a great player, but to me it just seemed like he had a WHOLE lot of great chances that just wouldnt work out. Remember how he’d take the puck from coast to coast, break through 2 defenders and then get it poked away at the last second? Pitkanens outscoring him and has played 7 fewer games. Just felt like sayin……
Mateo | Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
I’m ok with the trades…. Cole was a great guy and a good player… but I wasn’t really upset that he got traded… so far we have turned out better…
I’m glad Commodore is doing well this season… but I’ll still take Corvo over him every time… The interesting part about that trade that nobody mentions is the forwards involved… Patric Eaves hasn’t been worth crap this season… But I believe Stillman is still as stead as always… (although Stillman isn’t still playing for the team we traded him to… so we can’t really count that as the Sens getting the better end of that deal… because the Sens clearly lost out…)
I’m still pissed about the Malik and Langdon for Jan Hlavich (sp?) trade!!!! I mean.. the guy got a hat trick against the Red Wings… and did nothing else!!!
marc | Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
As I recall, Mateo, Malik was doing absolutely nothing for us while he was here - he was a big, slow defenseman that wouldn’t hit. Haven’t been able to watch him since, but he got booed out of NYC - I’d say that trade was a wash.
As for the Preds game, I really think what is wrong with this team is that there is NO sustained pressure in the offensive zone. This is why we brought in the D that we have - this team is supposed to be a high powered offensive juggernaut, from the defense on out, and it has proved to be the farthest thing from that. If the ‘Canes are not in the O zone, that means they are trapped in their own D zone, and most of the players are used to being big O guys. That puts pressure on the Goalies and forces the ‘Canes to play a game that they are uncomfortable with. Te coach is the one who need to come up with a game plan, and the players have to buy into it and put it into action, so where does the fault lie? I turned off the game in disgust after the 2nd period - and because I had to play my own game. It is getting to the point where I won’t watch anymore.
wylde4canes | Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
Here’s to hoping tonight is the team that killed the desert dogs, and not the one that got spanked by the preds.
Mateo | Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
I recall Malik being solid for our team during the 2002 playoff run… Everyone hated him because he was a slow starter… He was a solid Defensve player (and he won a fight against Brashier in January of 2002 which made up for his non-hitting style)
Jan Hlavich (or however in hell you spell his name) was dead space while our defense went to crap!
The good news is that it is all water under the bridge by now. Malik is getting by in the Tampa Bay circus… and Hlavich (I give up on spelling it correctly) is probably retired or at least (we hope) out of the NHL….
marc | Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
Yeah, Mateo, Hlavac was a bust - but I don’t have fond memories of Malik either. Then again, my daughter was born during the 2nd game of the Cup finals in 2002, so the lead up to the playoffs was kinda hectic and hazy for me…
I get the feeling that this team would be fun to watch if they ever flip that “offensive production” switch to the ON position permanently.
Mateo | Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
Malik was solid in the playoffs in ‘02.. he was really solid the entire second half of that season… Plus he killed Brashier!!! I remember people bring signs to the RESA (the former name of the RBC Center for the newer fans) that said “Mohamid AhMalik”
kind of funny!
Ok… I’ll shut up for the rest of the day… Go ‘Canes… Screw Ovenchicken!!!
Mateo | Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
Oh… One more thing… and then I really will shut up…
Whatever happened to Bob Booghner?
wylde4canes | Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
The Boogie Man retired coming out of the lockout, playing his last NHL games as an Av.