GDT: Detroit @ Carolina: It's time for the Hurricane to rise up and reveal himself

[DaveG]

I don't remember either, but I think the face off benefit doesn't outweigh Staal's disastrous defensive deficiencies.

Anyways, the whole "plan" seemed to be to weather the storm. It was almost like they were resigned to defend the 6-on-5 like a penalty kill. They just weren't aggressive. I realize that sometimes the other team breaks into the zone and possesses the puck, but it seemed like the Canes had no intention of standing them up at the blue line (like they'd done so well on the other standard PKs).

Won't disagree with that. Weather the storm seems to be exactly what they were thinking. IIRC it was about 30 seconds left on that draw. You win the draw and get a clear that's about 6-10 seconds off and another 5-10 for Detroit to reorganize within the offensive zone if they get the puck back. During those 6-10 you can get Eric off the ice and possibly get a shot at a SHG if you can manage to keep possession once you clear. Just didn't work in that case. It was a gamble call either way Kirk did it: keep the line together for that draw and if Jordan's kicked you're boned. Or break it up and if you can't get the clear you're boned. Kobayashi Maru.

 

[SeaBasstian]

nice reference lol

 

[InjuredChoker]

Wings fan here, Ward seems to be back.

Thought Sekera and Faulk were pretty solid. Liked Murphy too. Kid's got great tools, don't really understand the hate on the kid. Well I do but don't agree with it.

Didn't especially try to focus on him but didn't see much of Lindholm. I thought that he would need one more year in SHL/AHL before the season.

 

[DaveG]

nice reference lol

I geek roll with the best of em.

Wings fan here, Ward seems to be back.

Thought Sekera and Faulk were pretty solid. Liked Murphy too. Kid's got great tools, don't really understand the hate on the kid. Well I do but don't agree with it.

Didn't especially try to focus on him but didn't see much of Lindholm. I thought that he would need one more year in SHL/AHL before the season.

Lindholm didn't get much of a training camp due to an injury that happened early in the summer so he may yet end up back in the SHL or the AHL for the remainder of the season after the 9 game mark. Especially as Malhotra's PTO in Charlotte is essentially being used as an audition for the Canes as per Charlotte's PR guy, so if that works out... Anyway Lindholm was mostly being used on a line 4th line role with Drayson Bowman and Brett Sutter, which are probably two of the last people that would be able to help him utilize his skillset. With Ruutu expected back some time in the next week I'd like to see Muller ease him into the lineup and give Lindholm someone to work with by starting Ruutu on the 4th line for a couple games.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

One thing annoyed me last night, and it's something that's bothered me for a while:

This team doesn't play aggressive in the OT period. Seems everytime we get to overtime, the strategy is to stall until the shootout.

Which doesn't make sense on two fronts. First, we typically lose before then, because 5 minutes of no sustained offensive pressure is ridiculous. And second, we're awful in the shootout.

 

[FlyingSquirrels]

I'm a big Bellemore fan, but I'm not sure if it's good or bad that he was the 2nd best defenseman out there last night.

Couple other thoughts:
EStaal being on the ice the last 30 seconds cost us. He floats and reaches, he doesn't move his feet. Here's hoping he gets a sense of urgency to his game before we are 10 games under .500.

Jay Harrison manning a point on a PP unit does not make me feel good about improving our PP

 

[Quacktastic]

Lindholm was definitely jittery last night, but it could've just been because it was his first NHL game. If he continues to play like that though, I think it'd be best for him to go to Charlotte and get some top line minutes until he's comfortable. Nash didn't look half bad as the 3C, so I'm sure if we sent Lindholm down we could just move Sutter to 4C and either activate Westgarth (not my preference, but it seems like Muller could want him in) or call up someone to get some minimal fourth line minutes. Jared Staal maybe?

Didn't like the outcome, but overall I was pretty pleased with how we played. Detroit is a good team and we played with them. Cam was very solid, Gerbe was always noticeable and hardworking, PK was phenomenal, Sekera and Faulk look good together. I think once we get a few games under our belt and everyone starts clicking we'll be in a position where we can beat most teams on any given night.

 

[What the Faulk]

I'm glad others are seeing the same Lindholm I saw. I've seen a lot of praise for the way he played (Mulller included), and while he wasn't bad, he wasn't effective either. He only got 6:00 of even strength time. He might be better served with a week or two in Charlotte instead.

 

[DaveG]

I'm glad others are seeing the same Lindholm I saw. I've seen a lot of praise for the way he played (Mulller included), and while he wasn't bad, he wasn't effective either. He only got 6:00 of even strength time. He might be better served with a week or two in Charlotte instead.

I want to see how he looks with someone that has an offensive pulse first, even if that's Dwyer. But yeah if he hasn't shown much by game 7-8 then it's probably best to "loan" him back to Brynas so that we don't waste a year on his ELC.

 

[jeromeo87]

1) Faulk. Wow. That's all.
2) Ward. Made some pretty awesome saves.
3) Gerbe. Thought he was the Canes' best forward. He was all over the place, creating chances and back checking pretty well.

Also thought Sekera played a very solid game, so did Murphy and Bellemore. I really liked his game. Belle really looked like he belongs here.

It didn't look like the team missed Gleason very much, but I think Ruutu would have added a lot.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

yeah I agree somewhat and hate the "dump and chase" bs. again we can say the Canes didn't do this or that, true. but there is another team out there and alot of good ones that are good at doing what they do. these are challenges for Muller over the year and they are dynamic. they can't just "stick with the system". they have to be able to adapt every game.

I wonder how many of the people who complain about the "dump and chase" on the PP are the same ones who complain about Murphy?

If you want to carry the puck into the offensive zone, you need multiple guys who can skate and stickhandle, so the opposition can't just stack the neutral zone and target the one guy who knows how to skate.

Maybe we've got enough guys who can fit that bill now.

--hank

 

[Anton Babchuk]

Harrison continues to be the worst offender in front of the net. it's up to Muller to talk to him about it. it's so bloody obvious. get him doing it in front of Cam, end of story. the guy isn't a smurf.

Don't worry, when Tim Gleason gets back he'll put Harrison to shame. He'll be in a permanent flamingo stance trying to block point shots while his man stands in front of Ward completely uncontested banging at rebounds. But then he'll give a facewash to the player after the whistle. "Toughness"

 

[VictorLustig]

Lindholm was definitely jittery last night, but it could've just been because it was his first NHL game. If he continues to play like that though, I think it'd be best for him to go to Charlotte and get some top line minutes until he's comfortable. Nash didn't look half bad as the 3C, so I'm sure if we sent Lindholm down we could just move Sutter to 4C and either activate Westgarth (not my preference, but it seems like Muller could want him in) or call up someone to get some minimal fourth line minutes. Jared Staal maybe?

Didn't like the outcome, but overall I was pretty pleased with how we played. Detroit is a good team and we played with them. Cam was very solid, Gerbe was always noticeable and hardworking, PK was phenomenal, Sekera and Faulk look good together. I think once we get a few games under our belt and everyone starts clicking we'll be in a position where we can beat most teams on any given night.

Yup, you could tell Lindholm was a bit nervous in his first game. Had a hard time controlling the puck at times, something I also saw in his first few games with Brynäs last season. That never happened later on in the season, hopefully he can show similar progress in Carolina. Thought he played ok throughout the whole game, didn't really stand out in a good or bad way but the potential is there. Unless he gets more icetime in the upcoming games I would like to see him get some games in the AHL.

 

[rocky7]

I wonder how many of the people who complain about the "dump and chase" on the PP are the same ones who complain about Murphy?

If you want to carry the puck into the offensive zone, you need multiple guys who can skate and stickhandle, so the opposition can't just stack the neutral zone and target the one guy who knows how to skate.

Maybe we've got enough guys who can fit that bill now.

--hank

to my eyes Murphy played the best game I've ever seen from him. I was really surprised. he skated with confidence and authority and maintained possession entering the zone, but when in, he seemed to either have noone to pass to or was tentative or, just fired it on goal. yep, for sure the neutral zone is an issue (usually is) and was last year beginning in that Washington game when Oates obviously figured them out and they lost after having the lead. a turning point in the season. a bunch of things coincided but Muller wasn't able to adapt. I'm hoping that Muller is learning and improving and holding himself accountable too.

I think they have the guys but it's up to Muller to come up with the strategies. the talent is there and there is no excuse for this team to not have effective special teams. granted they look a bit better at this point. as you know, dump and chase is a 50/50 proposition at best for maintaining possession.

I really don't like to hear people say "our PP/PK sucks" implying the players when special teams are 100% on the coach, what he tells them to do and they practise. they do have the guys that "fit that bill now" and they can execute. it is a difficult aspect of the game to be sure, when other teams are adept at it and a team has to be able to adjust accordingly. when after a loss I hear the players drone on, and the coach as well, about how they played their game and "stuck to it", etc., blah, blah, blah, but still lost, that indicates that something is amiss 'with their game' imo. but yeah, things are looking somewhat better so far. that could have just as easily been a win. 16 friggen seconds after holding off a strong and pushing Red Wings in the third. all things considered, Howard won that game at the other end for them last night.

 

[rocky7]

Don't worry, when Tim Gleason gets back he'll put Harrison to shame. He'll be in a permanent flamingo stance trying to block point shots while his man stands in front of Ward completely uncontested banging at rebounds. But then he'll give a facewash to the player after the whistle. "Toughness"

it's so maddening to watch them stand there glancing over their shoulder repeatedly at the guy screening the goalie. want the hell? I mean isn't Muller telling them to do it? I am really hoping Gleason turns his game around but all indications so far this year says not. earlier he just looked slow and disinterested imo. don't know what's up with him. Harrison isn't stupid and can be taught, no?

Bellbottom is looking pretty good I think and wants it. hope he continues to get better and sticks.

 

[jstaal]

comom man, there were alot more positives bluedevil..

 

[Ole Gil]

I think people underrate how difficult it is to move people from the front of the net. It's not like you can just push them, and they'll move. They will fight to stay there, and getting in a battle for position directly in front of your goalie while a point shot is imminent probably is a worse situation than what is being done.

Keeping them from getting the position in the first place is an issue. But once they are there, you have to pick a time when there isn't a threat from the point to try and move them, I'd think.

I've never played hockey, so this is an intuitive guess. But as Rocky mentioned, if trying to move the guy was the 'right play', there isn't really a reason they wouldn't be doing it.

 

[bleedgreen]

I was impressed with Murphy last night, I agree with others that it was his best showing so far. He will never be perfect in his own end, but he had a quick stick last night that was in the way, and he used his wheels to get the puck out quick without ever really skating himself into bad ice. When he came to an opportunity to skate himself into trouble he made the simple play and chipped it out or move it into safe space.

Bellemore played a simple and generally mistake free game, which has been his hallmark in his brief canes career. He's gaining confidence at it, and his skating seems to have improved. There's no reason he can't be a regular for us. Komi needs ice time to work himself into shape, but I can't see him playing for bellemore the way the kid is playing. Murphy either, really. We need Murphy's skill, and if he can be as efficient in his own end as he was last night there's no way he's coming out.

 

[nobuddy]

Day after thoughts:

Justin Faulk is really ****ing good at hockey.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

Yeah, I don't think I've ever been more excited about a Canes defenseman. Even when Babs was on that scoring streak.

 

[Sasha Cares]

Last night shows how valuable Joni is to our team. Not another person on this team can effectively skate the puck out of our zone or carry it into the offensive end. And the points on the PP were brutal last night.

 

[Anton Babchuk]

http://www.rantsports.com/nhl/2013/...lk/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Probably the dumbest thing I've ever read

 

[Sasha Cares]

Btw, e12 was terrible. Worse than terrible.

 

[Sasha Cares]

http://www.rantsports.com/nhl/2013/...lk/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Probably the dumbest thing I've ever read

Yeah. What a ****ing tool.

 

[Novacane]

http://www.rantsports.com/nhl/2013/...lk/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Probably the dumbest thing I've ever read

I stopped reading once I saw the title. What a joke.