GDT: Hurricanes at Maple Leafs | 7:00 PM | Fox Sports

[Finnish Jerk Train]

Tonight's game sees the Hurricanes make their way to Toronto to venture into The Hangar. The Leafs are in the middle of the dogfight in the playoff picture, with a record of 19-16-5 putting them at 7th in the conference. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are in a skid that's starting to feel like a tailspin, sitting 13th with a record of 14-15-9, but are only 3 points removed from the 8th spot. (No, it's never too early to talk about playoff implications, especially when your team likes to leave the extra point on the table in overtime games.)

This will be the season's second matchup between the two teams, both of which have been in Toronto. Carolina and Ron Hainsey trolled their way to a 3-2 win on Oct. 17, with an assist by the end boards at the Air Canada Centre. This will be the last game for the Leafs before the Winter Classic; the Hurricanes will return to Raleigh after the game to take on the Habs on New Year's Eve.

Chip reports that in yesterday's practice, the Canes stuck with the same lines used in Friday's OT loss to the Penguins. Muller has yet to publicly commit to a goaltender, but my gut tells me Ward since it's been a while and Peters has been good, but not invincible over the last few games. Chip also just tweeted something to that effect. Tlusty will be out for a couple more weeks following his appendectomy on Christmas Eve, and Harrison continues to sit after a concussion sustained against Tampa Bay on Dec. 21.

Everybody and their brother in southern Ontario is a beat writer tweeting about the Leafs, but it looks like Bernier gets the start and the lines have been set. Bozak is returning to the top line tonight from an oblique strain that kept him off the ice for 12 games. Dave Bolland is on IR but off crutches after having surgery on his ankle, and Trevor Smith is also on IR with a broken hand.

Carolina Hurricanes

Ruutu - E. Staal - Skinner
Gerbe - J. Staal - Semin
Bowman - Nash - Dwyer
Boychuk - Malhotra - Dvorak

Sekera - Faulk
Hainsey - Murphy
Komisarek - Gleason

Ward
Peters

Toronto Maple Leafs

van Riemsdyk - Bozak - Kessel
Raymond - Kadri - Lupul
Kulemin - McClement - Clarkson
D'Amigo - Holland - Orr

Gunnarsson - Phaneuf
Franson - Gardiner
Rielly - Ranger

Bernier
Reimer

Location: Air Canada Centre
Time: 7:00 PM
TV: Fox Sports Carolinas

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[What the Faulk]

Practicing with the same everything from Friday. Meaning, Bellemore probably sits again.

 

[Unsustainable]

I am optimistic about this one.

 

[What the Faulk]

Well, I'm wrong. Per chip, Murphy probably out. Also Boychuk got time on the PP so we might see him there. Couldn't hurt.

Ward starts.

 

[Wild Caniac]

Not sure what to expect for this game. I'd say a win, but we keep blowing leads late.

 

[Lucky Lindy]

Last game of 2013 the Canes play for me!

 

[Joe McGrath]

Who cares, they suck.

 

[nobuddy]

In Toronto? Win.

 

[TheOllieC]

Ward and the Staals play well vs Toronto. If they don't fall asleep again they have a good chance.

 

[Wild Caniac]

Well, the Panthers just won. Maybe that means more good omens for NC today.

 

[Wolfpuck]

HBO Embarrassment Edition

 

[Surrounded By Ahos]

Not enough pictures in the GDT, 4-1 loss.

 

[Carolinas Identity*]

The Leafs are one of the very few teams we seem to dominate.

I got a good vibe for this one.

 

[Zezima]

Never thought I'd be saying this going into this season but leaving Murphy off is bull****. Let the kid play consistently or send him down. He's shown that he plays better after more experience and toi. Kirk seem to be sugarcoating the games he gets to play by sitting him against potentially physical teams.

 

[raynman]

Never thought I'd be saying this going into this season but leaving Murphy off is bull****. Let the kid play consistently or send him down. He's shown that he plays better after more experience and toi. Kirk seem to be sugarcoating the games he gets to play by sitting him against potentially physical teams.

I think this has more to do with Murphy making a couple of mistakes last game.

 

[What the Faulk]

Gleason made a multitude of mistakes last game and has been physically outmatched for the whole season, but he doesn't seem like he's sitting any time soon.

 

[TheOllieC]

Gleason made a multitude of mistakes last game and has been physically outmatched for the whole season, but he doesn't seem like he's sitting any time soon.

Because gritty leadership.

It's ****ing dumb. Let Murph play. This team can't even get to the blueline without him. He scored his first goal vs this team as well. I thought that was a great game from him.

 

[Zezima]

Let's Go Cane

 

[Wolfpuck]

Let's Go Cane

Which one?

 

[TheOllieC]

If we win, good. If we lose, one step closer to Ekblad.

Staying positive.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

If we win, good. If we lose, one step closer to Ekblad.

Staying positive.

OTL.

Your point is irrelevant.

 

[Wolfpuck]

Just remember, we're going to be on HBO.

I hope it isn't the second coming of the Red Wedding.

 

[Zezima]

Which one?

Ron Hainsey

 

[Wolfpuck]

Ron Hainsey

Problem, Bernier?

 

[TheOllieC]

OTL.

Your point is irrelevant.

Would not surprise me one bit.