GDT: 12-27 - Penguins@Canes: Bah, Humbug

[Oenatzu]

As the Hurricanes tradition suggests, the called up offensive prospect will slot into the fourth line:

Skinner-EStaal-Ruutu
Gerbe-JStaal-Semin
Bowman-Nash-Dwyer
Boychuk-Malhotra-Dvorak

Sekera-Faulk
Hainsey-Murphy
Gleason-Komisarek

Pete Dawg to start in the net.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

As the Hurricanes tradition suggests, the called up offensive prospect will slot into the fourth line:

Other than the zone that they start their shifts (Nash more offensive, Malhotra defensive), I really don't think there is much difference in offensive potential between our 3rd line and 4th lines. Nash and Dwyer have only 5 ES goals in 67 games. Malhotra and Dvorak have 4 ES goals in 56 games. It's not like putting Boychuk on the 3rd line is going to vastly increase his scoring chances over the 4th line.

 

[Ole Gil]

With this lineup, there's a chance to produce from everywhere, barring the return of Westgarth to the 4th. Malhotra and Dvorak play some good possession hockey on the 4th. It is not the black hole that it used to be.

 

[rocky7]

they really should win this game at home. the Penguins lineup looks horrible.....too.

 

[DaveG]

I found that if you have a goal, that you might not reach it. But if you don't have one, then you are never disappointed. And I gotta tell ya... it feels phenomenal.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

they really should win this game at home. the Penguins lineup looks horrible.....too.

That "horrible lineup" team is 7-1 in it's last 8 games.

Meanwhile, this "should win" team is 2-3-3 in it's last 8 games and is only 7-8-4 at home this year. Why is it you think they "really should win this game"?

 

[jstaal]

pens

Malkin may be back, im not expecring much, usually im pie in the sky, type of fan, so maybe they surprise me.. I thought for sure it would be Cam.

 

[Clark Gillies]

As the Hurricanes tradition suggests, the called up offensive prospect will slot into the fourth line:

Skinner-EStaal-Ruutu
Gerbe-JStaal-Semin
Bowman-Nash-Dwyer
Boychuk-Malhotra-Dvorak

Sekera-Faulk
Hainsey-Murphy
Gleason-Komisarek

Pete Dawg to start in the net.

Is that the official lineup. (Makes sense because Bellemore along with Westgarth stayed out after everyone else at the morning skate).

Don't like sitting Bellemore foe the like of Komi (or Gleason for that matter).
Hopefully Komi/Gleason doesn't see much more than 10 minutes.

I actually like Bowman on the line with Manny and Radek, 2 experienced smart players who work hard, maybe it gives them the finish they need while giving Zach playing time with actual NHLers.

I also this should be Cam's game to start working his way back unless they want to hang Peters out to dry against the Pens to make way and easier for Cam's glorious return.

From the look of the pregame skate - I doubt Malkin plays, he did not look ready and didn't participate in many of the team drills - he was just kind of hanging out at center ice skating lightly.

 

[bluedevil58*]

IDENTITY: When will the Canes find it?

These last few weeks have been brutal.....

 

[Novacane]

This one is gonna absolutely suck to be at.

 

[What the Faulk]

Usually the ones were everyone is super down and they "don't stand a chance in" are the ones they end up winning.

Just saying.

 

[Finnish Jerk Train]

Usually the ones were everyone is super down and they "don't stand a chance in" are the ones they end up winning.

Just saying.

In that case, we're going to get killed. Pittsburgh wins 21-0.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

Usually the ones were everyone is super down and they "don't stand a chance in" are the ones they end up winning.

Just saying.

And after we win tonight, NO ONE will feel down anymore, and the attitude will be back to "let's go to the playoffs everyone!"

 

[the halleJOKEL]

5-1 loss

 

[Carolinas Identity*]

IDENTITY: When will the Canes find it?

These last few weeks have been brutal.....

Finding an identity is easy, you just need to know what it is that you're looking for.

For example, Euler's Identity states that:

I think, Carolina's Identity, would look something like this. Though, it may need some tweaking

 

[jstaal]

ha

lol, Will the real Carolina Hurricanes please stand up?

 

[gocanes88]

I am already mad and the game hasn't even started yet. They've taken over our building as usual. Ugh... I dread hearing them roar whenever they score tonight.

 

[SeaBasstian]

thats what it was like in Nashville when I went to their gave vs Philly. there were more lets go flyers chants and such than lets go preds. it was sad. and philly won. blah

 

[TheOllieC]

Majority of these Penguins "fans" didn't even exist in the early/mid 2000's so it's ok.

 

[Lucky Lindy]

PP-time!

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Usually the ones were everyone is super down and they "don't stand a chance in" are the ones they end up winning.

Just saying.

I will never say the Canes don't have a chance and I do realize there is a group that is always down and always does the "5-1 loss" or "oh great, back-up goalie" stuff, but in reality, of the Canes 14 wins, I'd say only 3 fall into that category where people felt they don't stand a chance but they ended up winning. Colorado, Anaheim and San Jose. (maybe you could add Phoenix also). The combined record of the opponents that the Canes have their other 11 wins against? 177-176-60

On the flipside, many more of the Canes losses have come against teams that fans felt there was little chance. Chicago, Pittsburgh (x2), LAK, TBL, BOS, STL, etc.. The combined records of the teams the Canes have losses (reg. and OTL)? 479-289-103

The data shows that against better teams, the Canes typically end up in a loss. Against average / below average teams, the Canes hold their own. Obviously there are a few exceptions to this (losing to Calgary/Edmonton and winning against SJS/Anaheim), but more often than not, this has held true this season.

Of course they have a chance to win tonight as this is the NHL and on any given night, any team can beat another.

 

[TheOllieC]

JStaal is a monster at carrying the puck

 

[tarheelhockey]

I am already mad and the game hasn't even started yet. They've taken over our building as usual. Ugh... I dread hearing them roar whenever they score tonight.

Games like this just make me angry about the state of the organization. It's not just the percentage of visiting fans, but the lack of emotional response from the home crowd. If I'm a Pens fan living in Raleigh who only comes to this one game a year, I'm going to be up for nonstop cheering and chants. But as a Canes fan who goes to the other 41 games, I'm really not in a place where I feel like this team is earning that kind of feedback. And judging by the way these games have sounded lately, I'm not the only one who feels that way.

 

[Lucky Lindy]

Tim Gleason...

 

[gocanes88]

Hahahaha that would've been amazing.