Game Thread ..... @ Atlanta, 3/4/07

[Canesluver]

2 points, please gentlemen!

Puck-drop at 2:00PM

LET'S GO 'CANES!!

[ontheboards]

special teams: power play and penalty kill-- that will be the key to beating Atlanta.

[livinthedream]

From Lord Stanley's blog:

Ray Whitney unlikely for Sunday

Carolina's leading scorer, Ray Whitney, was not expected to fly to Atlanta with his teammates or play tomorrow against the Thrashers because of a lingering ankle injury.

Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford said this afternoon that Whitney has been slowed by a tender ankle in recent games.

"It's not just last night," Rutherford said. "For some weeks, he's been trying to play through it, and it gets more and more difficult. But after tomorrow, we get some time off."

Posted at 03:08 pm by Lorenzo Perez in General (http://blogs.newsobserver.com/canes/index.php/canes?cat=285)


soy muy triste :(

[nccanes]

F!

I guess since there's no word otherwise, Brindy will soldier on.

[Rob123xyz]

I put a lot of importance on the Atlanta game for three reasons:


They need to put together a winning streak - why not do it now? Washington, Rangers and then Panthers - make it five in a row and get the confidence back.
Eastern-division rivalry - Trashers have mostly been on top of it
Need to solidify a playoff spot - not jockey in and out of 8th.

[Guyute]

They need to put together a winning streak for the simple fact that there's only 15 games remaining, while most of the others in the playoff race have 18.

We have to beat nearly everyone we play if we want to take matters into our own hands and not rely on watching other games to see if we get in or not.
Winning the division is not a mathmatical impossibility yet... and it's probably our best shot at making sure we get in... so that means beating Atlanta & TB every time we play them.

That being said, most of our guys should probably be resting in a spa for a month instead of fighting for their playoff lives, so I think that's going to be a Huge factor in our ability to actually pull off the wins that we need.

All that being said... go Canes

[Fernando da Silva]

Let's see... Guyute, how many points the Canes must earn to secure a playoff berth?

[Guyute]

it's a guessing game. it was first thought teams would finish with enough points that 8th spot would need 96. Hardly likely. 92/93 is the number I've recently heard... but if enough teams play 500 hockey for the rest of the way, 88 might be enough for 8th.

In either case, we have a lot of hoping to do.. because even 88 would be pushing it.. but is still a decent amount of points to nab. We really just can't afford to lose any more. Particularly against Eastern top 10 teams.

[Captain Slack]

Sucks to hear about Ray missing the game. Sounds like he the rest, though.

And for today's mojo:

SCREW YOU DD GIRL!!!! (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5173736885347353471&q=ezekiel+25%3A17)

[Staalgurl4ever]

I hope the guys play their best.

[gocanes0506]

FDA, based on past playoffs I would say if they won 11 then they will be in without a doubt. The Canes play Toronto and the Rangers one each but not Montreal.

My guess the Canes will need 18-22 points over the 15 games to make it. We have one game in hand with Montreal, played the same amount of games as Toronto and NYR has two games in hand of us.

[corylav]

C'mon boys ... please get rolling.

SCREW YOU DD GIRL!

[OswegoExpress]

I just heard that NBC dropped the game to show something else and that it won't be on Center Ice because of late notice. But I'm hoping it works out like it did earlier in the season when they eventually put the game on.:(

GO CANES

[SoCalcaniac]

I just heard that NBC dropped the game to show something else and that it won't be on Center Ice because of late notice. But I'm hoping it works out like it did earlier in the season when they eventually put the game on.:(



They 'dropped' it because they're showing the Pens & Flyers-( it's been discussed at length in the Media alerts thread since over a week ago when it was announced.) And since it was/is NBC's game to broadcast, (they own the rights) FSN South and Sports South would not have the broadcast rights to begin with, thus the reason it will not be on TV on top of the fact we got bumped by the last place team in the east playing the darlings of the NHL.So you'll need to turn on your radio or XM/Sirius to hear the broadcast.

The reason they put the earlier game on this season vs Anaheim was because it was Brind Amour night, and FSN is the broadcast provider for the Canes. This situation is all different, because NBC owns the rights.

[gocanes0506]

I usually read these board all the time but, I seem to be out of the loop on the this DD girl thing. Would someone please elaborate on it for me? You hate the Dunkin Doughnuts girl?

[SoCalcaniac]

I usually read these board all the time but, I seem to be out of the loop on the this DD girl thing. Would someone please elaborate on it for me? You hate the Dunkin Doughnuts girl?

Holy cow- how'd you miss it then?? It's all documented here in the Ottawa game thread (scroll to mid page for Cory's first post, and continue on for responses):

http://www.letsgocanes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7980&page=4


Oh, and SCREW YOU DD girl!

[gocanes0506]

^not exactly sure how i missed that post.

[caveman]

A great chance to gain on Tampa (lost yesterday) and Atlanta (obviously), and put some distance on Montreal and Toronto (both lost yesterday) and the rest of the horde of teams trying to take OUR playoff spot.

As for me, I'll try not to have a freaking aneurism because it's not on TV.

[StormWarning]

Guyute put it best... time to start a winning streak. Wins (and even worse, loses) are HUGE given the games-in-hand situation. We need to finish several games above .500 over the next 15 to get in the post-season. 10-5 may not even do it.

Let's go Canes! Score first this time and build from there!!!!

[nccanes]

Oh yeah....

SCREW YOU DD GIRL!

[Rob123xyz]

They absolutely do not want to leave their fate in the hands of other teams! If not for Boston beating Montreal last night, the Canes would be back in 9th. They have to turn on the jets a little higher and get up into 7th or 6th or even 5th is within reach if they put together a 4-5 game winning streak. They need to quit screwing around and play like they did in the first half of last season.

[Fghtr4jc]

Ya know, should we feel bad about the DD girl? I mean, what if she comes on the forum and we all hate her.........ehh, her fault.

SCREW YOU DD GIRL. GO CANES!

[puckin_A]

I still can't believe DD girl actually made a comment about *how could you wear that now?* (or something to that effect).....I mean.......what the hell is that about?

ok anyway. GO CANES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ontheglass]

Screw 8th, win the freakin SE, lots of SE games remaining. Nobody has annointed TB or ATL the division champs.

GO CANES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Guyute]

I'm still holding out a little hope that one of the nimrods at NBC come to their senses and show us a major SE battle for a playoff spot instead of a game including a cellar team that Makes No Difference. (btw, my Dish guide has NBC's hockey showing Wings vs Avs. )

[guinevere]

TimeWarner has Aves and Wings as well.

[livinthedream]

SCREW YOU NBC !!!!!

I just sent Mr. LTD and Jr. out for the afternoon, I'm turning up every radio in the house and will listen to Chuck while I [for once] concentrate on getting some housework done.

[bonniebroad]

Go 'Canes!!!

Play like the Champs you ARE!!!

[gocanes0506]

1-0 ATL

Powerplay is 0-2 so far! Sweet!

[dakuwan]

1-1...way to go Roddy :D

[gocanes0506]

lookin at the stats, why was Seidenberg, Tanabe, and Kaberle on the ice at the same time for the ATL goal?

[dakuwan]

lookin at the stats, why was Seidenberg, Tanabe, and Kaberle on the ice at the same time for the ATL goal?

I'm guessing that Lavi is using Seidenberg as a forward again.

[puck_it]

because seidenberg is playing as a forward with letowski and larose.

[livinthedream]

Just in case there was any ambiguity.....

I LOVE our Captain. :spin:

And from the SOUND of things, he got a very very sweet feed from Ladder. :D

Way to suck the momentum out of the crowd at the end of the first. And keep it up Crackers! :D

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[bonniebroad]

Way to go, Roddy!!!

[gocanes0506]

Seidenberg as a forward? Tanabe would a much better job at forward. Seidenberg as a forward hasnt ever worked out.

[2CrazyCaniacs]

Good thing you guys are on here so I know what's happening with the game. The Canes web site doesn't have the score posted - jeesh.

[Guyute]

Tanabe is a better D than F though.

[gocanes0506]

So is Seidenberg

[puck_it]

he wasnt that bad at it when i saw him play. he wasnt spectacular, but that's expected.

and tanabe may be better at forward that seidenberg, but he's also better at d. And when you need to make a sacrifice, the sacrifice comes at the forward positions before the D positions.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Well, we were pulling into the garage right after Brindy scored and listened to the final seconds of the first. I was hoping against hope they'd get one through before the end of the first but, figured it was fruitless.

Surfed through my entire channel guide praying someone had decided to show the game....no dice. Guess I'm home with Chuck, now.

I've been a bit disappointed Seidenberg is getting as little time in position as he is too but, I'm not sure I've been able to make a real arguement on who he should displace. Maybe Frankie in a couple of those brutal games but, c'mon. That's just crazy.

I know Frankie and Tanabe got beat by Hossa today but....we're talking about Hossa. Obviously no one saw it but, I'm willing to bet there wasn't much they could do on that one.

Keep up that end of the period play, guys!!!

[gocanes0506]

Brindy is really getting some good offense going today.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

And here is the portion of the game where we take continual dumbass penalties! Apparently now we've decided we want to see just how far we can take this PK thing.

[MEBANECANESFAN]

DAMN!!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Yeah. And so much for that PK thing.

[folgersnyourcup]

And it bites us...2-1 Thrashers. Damndamn. I hate Kovalchuk.

[MEBANECANESFAN]

We can't get a freakin' lead....we're always playin' from behind...damnit...another penalty

[Guyute]

I've been a bit disappointed Seidenberg is getting as little time in position as he is too but, I'm not sure I've been able to make a real arguement on who he should displace. Maybe Frankie in a couple of those brutal games but, c'mon. That's just crazy.

Tough call for sure. Which is why I expected a D man to go before the deadline, when they're normally at their most wanted.

Personally I like Seidenberg better than Gleason and would swap their play times, but that may just be me.

Also, we're lucky the score is what it is after 3 consecutive trips to the box.

[MEBANECANESFAN]

:fire: down a goal in another crucial game!!!...all too common theme

[goalie33]

:fire: down a goal in another crucial game!!!...all too common theme

A goal. Not three goals. A goal.

No sweat.

[MEBANECANESFAN]

^^i hope you're right

[MEBANECANESFAN]

down 2 now

[folgersnyourcup]

3-1. Belanger has been great for Atlanta and it sounds like he made that goal happen. We shoulda kept him. Oh well.

[caveman]

10 minutes, 2 goals. Let's do at least that much and make it interesting.

[MEBANECANESFAN]

:mad:

[MEBANECANESFAN]

oh yeaaaa...a powerless play

[nccanes]

3-1. Belanger has been great for Atlanta and it sounds like he made that goal happen. We shoulda kept him. Oh well.

We have (or have had) our fairshare of players that weren't as prolific elsewhere but have thrived here (Whitney, Cullen). Belanger is playing with Marian Freakin' Hossa. I wish we still had him here, but apparently he wasn't so thrilled here either.

I seriously doubt he'd be producing at that rate on what's been left of our 3rd line since the trade.

[caveman]

I don't know what else we want than a written invitation back into the game than a power play, yet apparently we RSVP "regrets".

[caveman]

Well Grahame is keeping it 2 goals. Sadly so is the Canes offense.

[svandijk1]

3-1. Belanger has been great for Atlanta and it sounds like he made that goal happen. We shoulda kept him. Oh well.

That would be quite the trick. He wasn't even on the ice at the time. ;)

[MEBANECANESFAN]

I've tried all year to keep a positive outlook when it comes to this team but I think I'm finally fresh out of positive...they are soooo frustrating:hurl:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Us on a PP with an empty net....it'll be 4-1 before you know it.

[caveman]

6 on 4 with 2 minutes to go. Make it interesting, boys! Make them at least earn it with some good saves.

[Pyronite]

Another game where we just couldn't score.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Well, that was not what we were looking for. We'd probably have been better off if we had lost Friday and won today.

Hard to really comment on the game itself without having seen it. I get the idea that the effort and skating may have been there. The lack of a PP really doesn't help. We outshot them but how many of those shots were really good chances? I at least heard Chuck use the term "crashing the net" and he was actually talking about us.

We now get 4 days to sit and watch teams with games in hand pull ahead of us. Maybe that will motivate them. Let's hope it's not too late.

[MEBANECANESFAN]

Well I guess this week we'll find out how bad all those games in hand will hurt us that several teams have on us

[Guyute]

In the last 15 games (going back to 2/1) we've scored a total of 34 goals.
In games that we scored 3 or more, we've only lost 2 of those. Granted, we've only scored 3 or more a handful of times since 2/1.

Sadly, these guys can't seem to hit the broad side of a barn most nights. So how well our netminder plays is rather irrelevant.

[svandijk1]

The lack of a PP really doesn't help.

Indeed. How many more chances does McCarthy get before he should be replaced? The powerplay has shown zero imagination since the lockout except when Weight and Recchi got clicking during the playoffs.

[Guyute]

I think most of us would argue we also had a great "quarterback" last year too, in Cullen. This year we've had Staal who IMVHO, should be nowhere near a PP point. Frankie handled it well last year, but hasn't played enough this year to find that groove. Our other choices? Not even worth mentioning.

I've never been a big fan of McCarthy's running of our PP... but he seemed to do a pretty damn good job when he had the personnel.

[nccanes]

Indeed. How many more chances does McCarthy get before he should be replaced? The powerplay has shown zero imagination since the lockout except when Weight and Recchi got clicking during the playoffs.

Does McCarthy really run it? I haven't been to a practice in ages, but it always seems to me that Laviolette runs things - most everthing.

For those that mentioned the off week - I just posted the Eastern Conf games in the "Taking Stock" thread and if all the teams beneath us win their games played, we'll be in 10th, 2 points out of 8th (with the Habs 1 pt ahead in 9th). Not that I'm counting points or anything. :beatup:

[MEBANECANESFAN]

Not that I'm counting points or anything. :beatup:

LOL...You might not be but the Canes better start...By most estimations they're gonna need in the neighborhood of 20pts. out of a possible 28 to get in...

[SoCalcaniac]

How many more chances does McCarthy get before he should be replaced? The powerplay has shown zero imagination since the lockout except when Weight and Recchi got clicking during the playoffs.

Why would McCarthy get replaced when he works with the D? The powerplay showed plenty of "imagination" last season- and it clicked just fine before Recchi & Weight were traded here. Cullen alone enhanced our PP, as was mentioned before. Their additions only added to the firepower.


Does McCarthy really run it? I haven't been to a practice in ages, but it always seems to me that Laviolette runs things - most everthing.


You'd be correct E- McCarthy hasn't run a powerplay practice during Lavi's tenure- Laviolette continues to run the PP.

Unfortunately for Coach, nobody can execute on the PP at this point in time.

We watched the Pens/Flyers on NBC channel 4 NYC/DirecTV channel 382, as we have both the east and west coast network feed packages, while listening to Chuck K. I'll say this. I get that he's considered a hall of fame broadcaster, but his call of the game leaves me cold. I have no friggin idea how my husband listens to him regularly in the building, because he would drive me to drink hard liquor, and I don't drink at all, if I had to listen to him every game. My guess is that our section mates are that annoying that he is willing to endure Chuck. He is brutal. How many times was he gonna remind us that the Canes were gonna be on "hiatus" til Friday when we go to WSH??? OMFG.

Since I didn't see the game, it appears we just don't know how to score anymore, since Kaiton made it seem like we were crashing and going at it and Lehotonen was being a hero for once against us. If I heard him say "how did that not go in" one more time I was gonna jump off my deck. Honestly.

We had a glimmer of hope on Friday night that this was the turnaround, inspired by the playoff-like atmosphere, and apparently it was all a fraud. Staal took two apparently bad penalties, and one cost a goal. I barely heard Carter's name, and barely heard Chad's name. maybe it's just the way Chuck calls it.

They get 2 scheduled days off from practice to again stew on a loss; and another couple days to figure it out in practice. My hope is EC and #13 will return for the WSH game and once again we can try and put things together- and if we can't do it against the Caps, well good grief we are in danger. Not taking them lightly, but they need to take care of business. All the while, all the teams around us, will be playing games and potentially passing us on by. Who knows where we'll be in the standings by then.

I think a hiatus from hockey, the standings and all this other stuff is what the doc ordered for me too. This is too daggone draining. :bye:

[goalie33]

If I heard him say "how did that not go in" one more time I was gonna jump off my deck.

With no replay monitor and therefore no details to expound upon, sometimes you just have to work with what you've got.

[Guyute]

I rarely listen to Chuck, and honestly am not a fan either. I can take him in pieces, but for entire games, he gets to me. Going to games at the RBC and listening to Chuck while there just isn't for me. I've done that plenty of times in Philly. Getting the extra detail while at the game is great....
I just can't do it with Chuck. /shrug

[svandijk1]

Why would McCarthy get replaced when he works with the D? The powerplay showed plenty of "imagination" last season- and it clicked just fine before Recchi & Weight were traded here. Cullen alone enhanced our PP, as was mentioned before. Their additions only added to the firepower.

No, McCarthy has primary responsibility for the powerplay (in addition to the D for 5-on-5) and Daniels is responsible for the penalty kill unit. Yes Cullen was a nice to have last year, but he's not here and not going to be here, so you have to make do with what you've got. And sorry, but the powerplay was horrid for large stretches last year UNTIL it really lit on fire during the playoffs.

EDIT: Just looked up the stats for the powerplay last year. Obviously these are just totals and can't give a "feel" for what it was like during the year.

Regular season the Canes were 17th in the league at 17.9%. They were 3rd in the league in powerplay opportunities.
During the playoffs the Canes were 2nd at 24.0%

[2CrazyCaniacs]

3-1. Belanger has been great for Atlanta and it sounds like he made that goal happen. We shoulda kept him. Oh well.

He might be doing well now, but frankly I don't recall that Belanger exerted the same effort when he was here.

[perfectstorm]

He might be doing well now, but frankly I don't recall that Belanger exerted the same effort when he was here.


Well, he didn't have Hossa riding shotgun with him when he was here either.

[nccanes]

No, McCarthy has primary responsibility for the powerplay (in addition to the D for 5-on-5) and Daniels is responsible for the penalty kill unit.

Well, I never go in for these [asst coach x] is to blame because he works on the [facet of the game]. Laviolette is the head coach, making head coach money, and he sees every failed PP attempt just like the rest of us. I don't believe for a second that McCarthy is making PP decisions and creating strategy in a vaccum.

[BrindAmourFan]

My biggest beef with Chuck is that I can never tell who has scored. Granted, I'm spoiled by the visuals of FSN, so that makes Chuck's call of the game much more fast-paced for me to process, but his tone of voice in calling a Canes goal is the same as it is in calling it for the other team. The only way I can distinguish is by the sound of a horn (or lack thereof), but it takes a second or two for that to kick in.

I've listened to some of the radio calls from the other teams and I can definitely tell which team they're rooting for. Is there a rule somewhere that says Chuck can't get excited about the Canes doing something good on the ice? He's so "even keel" that he sounds like an objective third party who works for one of the networks.

Gah, I'm having trouble expressing myself tonight...hope you're understanding this. :(

[livinthedream]

I understand completely, my husband says the same thing about Chuck, that he sounds so "impartial" that you really can't tell by his voice inflection which team has scored.

It amazes me that with the speed of play and change of possession in a hockey game that anyone can call a game for the radio. Mr. LTD always complains about how quickly 102.9 signs off after the game*, Chuck's usually finishing up by the time we get in the car. I'm surprised he has any voice left by then.

*because, of course, that means we have to switch over to the Aftermath.

[Staalgurl4ever]

It sucks that we lost. Hopefully we will bounce back.

[Serendipity]

Is there a rule somewhere that says Chuck can't get excited about the Canes doing something good on the ice? He's so "even keel" that he sounds like an objective third party who works for one of the networks.

I know what you mean! His voice gets so high and he's practically squeaking and you're thinking "Something good is happening, something good is happening...oh wait, the other team has the puck...and they've scored."

[StormWarning]

Over the next 15, I was thinking 10-5 might get them in... that means we need to finish up 10 out of the next 14 with wins. Ugh.

We may hold that 8th spot this very moment, but we are going to need some serious (folding) help from the Canadians and Leafs & Rangers given the GP column.

Not good.

[BrindAmourFan]

I know what you mean! His voice gets so high and he's practically squeaking and you're thinking "Something good is happening, something good is happening...oh wait, the other team has the puck...and they've scored."

Exactly. :)
Very frustrating.

[StormWarning]

Uh oh... Bruins up 2... can pull to 4 points back. Talk about falling back to the pack

[SoCalcaniac]

No, McCarthy has primary responsibility for the powerplay (in addition to the D for 5-on-5) and Daniels is responsible for the penalty kill unit.

Well, I'm not going to into any argument about this;but having attended too many practices to count, it has been apparent to me that Laviolette runs the PP with input from both McCarthy and JD; especially the 'special' before the main practice PP practice sessions that he had going for long stretches when the PP was having issues- (before this round of issues that is:lol: ) and from what I've observed, he has always consulted both McCarthy, but what I've witnessed is him leading those practices & using the whiteboard and diagraming plays- as well as his usual circle of discussion on what he wants out of them. I agree with nccanes that it's pointless to hang the woes of the PP on an assistant coach even if he were deemed the "power play coach", to me Laviolette has taken full charge/responsibility of the woes of the powerplay. I not saying bring back Cullen, I just mentioned Cullen as a point of what we had prior to the trades for Weight & Recchi. I thought for most of last year, we at least managed to mask our problems with the PP during stretches when it didn't produced- because we were scoring 4 and 5 goals on teams on many nights, or we played well enough defensively, to win 3-2 or 2-1 type games.

We have the personnel to score on the PP. It's purely a matter of executing and seriously, getting Staal off the point. as discussed a bazillion times, he'd be far more effective on the wall or as a big body in front. My bigger concern is pur 5 on 5 scoring is not going anywhere now either. So the woes are piling up.


Going to games at the RBC and listening to Chuck while there just isn't for me. I've done that plenty of times in Philly. Getting the extra detail while at the game is great....
I just can't do it with Chuck. /shrug



Guy :lol: Exactly. I repeatedly asked hub today how on earth could he deal with that every game especially cause he didn't seem phased by it at all today- more like laughing at me because he was driving me crazy; and he finally said he's learned to kinda deal with him- he confirmed it's easier than listening to the STHers behind us swearing, name calling star players, and all that stuff. I just think he's plain nuts. :lol:

[Kahz]

No, McCarthy has primary responsibility for the powerplay (in addition to the D for 5-on-5) and Daniels is responsible for the penalty kill unit. Yes Cullen was a nice to have last year, but he's not here and not going to be here, so you have to make do with what you've got. And sorry, but the powerplay was horrid for large stretches last year UNTIL it really lit on fire during the playoffs.

EDIT: Just looked up the stats for the powerplay last year. Obviously these are just totals and can't give a "feel" for what it was like during the year.

Regular season the Canes were 17th in the league at 17.9%. They were 3rd in the league in powerplay opportunities.
During the playoffs the Canes were 2nd at 24.0%I'd also like to note that Cullen had 8 goals and 10 assists on the powerplay last season (with 372:37 of powerplay time), while Staal has 11 goals and 13 assists so far (with 375:56 of powerplay time). If Eric shouldn't be on the point, where should Matt have been?

Both Kaberle and Cullen were made to look better in the playoffs than they actually are because of playing on the Whitney-Weight-Recchi unit. Kaberle had as many powerplay goals in Game 7 of the SCF as he did the entire regular season. As did Tverdovsky (yes, I'm aware he didn't play).

Why did Cullen go from 18 powerplay points in 372:37 to 9 powerplay points in 79:04? Why did Kaberle go from 17 powerplay points in 318:47 to 10 powerplay points in 85:46?

Our pointmen have been so bad the last two seasons that the only way to run a succesful powerplay is to absolutely stack the forward groups as we did for the playoffs. In the regular season when we didn't have Weight for most of the year, were missing Cole and Whitney for ~20 games apiece, Stillman for 10 games, etc., our pointmen produced garbage numbers.

Here's a list of teams with defensemen who had more powerplay points last season than Cullen or Kaberle: Vancouver (3), Ottawa (3), Toronto (2), Detroit (2), Philadelphia (2), Edmonton (2), Los Angeles (2), Dallas (2), Nashville (2), Montreal (2), Calgary (2), Buffalo (2), Colorado (2), Tampa (2), New Jersey (2), Pittsburgh, Anaheim, Phoenix, Atlanta, Columbus, San Jose, Boston, New York Islanders.

What's particularly sad about that list is that it doesn't include forwards playing the point.

[RangersCanesFan]

Well, Mrs. RCF and I went down to Atlanta for yesterday's game. I am physically beat, and have no idea how I'm going to get through today at work. I can remember when Charlotte-Atlanta was 3 1/2 hours...now it's at least 4, with no incidents...

Anyway, they didn't look great to start the game, although they'd get chances, but Lehtonen would stone them. When Brind'Amour scored late in the first, I thought they could get some momentum from it. The effort was there, but it seemed like they were gripping the sticks too tightly and trying to make the perfect play, while trying so hard not to make a mistake. The refs were bad--not so much with calls--but with whistles. The Staal penalty which led to the Thrashers second goal, looked like a definite penalty, but the Canes played the puck and no whistle, Atlanta touched it, and they blew the play dead. The ref pointed at Slater, and the Atlanta penatly door opened. During another delayed penalty against the Canes, Carter touched the puck, but the whistle never blew.

Third period, more of the same. If not for Grahame, it could have been worse. However, the Canes hit two posts, and missed a few open nets.

I'll say this--the Thrashers had a near sell-out in there on a Sunday afternoon. The crowd was into the game the whole time and there was a constant "buzz" in the crowd--kind of like a playoff game. There were a number of Canes fans there, but really not as many as I was expecting. I really hate saying this, but if the game was played at the same time at the RBC, they would have struggled to draw 14,000, due to the dreaded Sunday afternoon game.

I also don't really want to bring up bad topics, but for all of the idiocy and immaturity in the way Anton Babchuk handled himself--the guy had a point. David Tanabe is beyond worthless. I understand that you never want to lose someone for nothing, but putting this guy on waivers might be the best thing that could happen. I honestly don't believe anyone would take him either.

It's a good thing that Anson Carter came for virtually nothing either. He's going to make Pavel Brendl look like a workaholic.

[nccanes]

Thanks for the report RCF.

I'm not sure why people want to compare what would happen at the RBC vs Philips on a Sunday afternoon. Different markets have different attendance patterns, and different orgs have different ticket plans.

If a Sunday afternoon was in the full, 24, and 10 game plan there would be a very good chance that the arena would be pretty full. But in ATL, where it's a b!tch to get from N ATL to Philips with kids in tow on a school night, a Sunday afternoon game would be a great chance to bring the kids from the 'burbs. Obviously 7pm weeknight games are fine for the family with kids here. You can still be home before 10pm easily.

Luke talks about his family going to all the afternoon games in Chicago in yesterday's blog:

http://blogs.newsobserver.com/canes/index.php/canes?title=lazy_sunday_nhl_style&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

I might disagree with you about Tanabe, but that doesn't change the fact that Anton showed his ass when he's just a young guy on a rookie contract who hasn't earned his waiver status. Oh well.

[Guyute]

As much as I've ridden Tanabe in years past I also have to admit that he's been playing better since his return than he ever has. Granted he's still not "Great" or anything... but I'll take This Tanabe over the last one that was here... in a heartbeat.
(general opinion here, I didn't see yesterday's game to speak to his performance in it)

[ontheboards]

It's a good thing that Anson Carter came for virtually nothing either. He's going to make Pavel Brendl look like a workaholic.

That's funny! :laugh: and unfortunately, true-- from what I've seen in the past few games. You'd never know that Anson Carter was a guy in need of a contract next year. Perhaps Dave Nonis knew what he was and was not getting when he did not re-sign Carter to play with Sedin twins...

[nccanes]

I'd also like to note that Cullen had 8 goals and 10 assists on the powerplay last season (with 372:37 of powerplay time), while Staal has 11 goals and 13 assists so far (with 375:56 of powerplay time). If Eric shouldn't be on the point, where should Matt have been?



Interesting post! Thanks for taking the time to compile all that and post it.

While I agree this team has been starved for great point men, I think the thinking is that Staal would be more effective (and perhaps the PP on the whole) when not on the point, not necessarily that he's that much more horrible than Cullen. What are Eric's PP goals/pts this season as compared to last?

In fact, I'd love to know what Staal, Cole, Stillman's PP stats are from this year to last. Of course, I know Stillman's will be down, but I'm just talking about how those numbers stack up in comparison.

[KaniacFever]

Too bad we couldn't get the 2 points. Sounded like they put forth the effort, but it just wasn't their night. I actually listened to the Atlanta feed on XM b/c Chuck doesn't come in very clearly on my radio in the house and I was pleasantly surprised on how fair the Atlanta announcers were. They were actually giving the Canes alot of credit. The only thing that annoyed me with them is that whenever we seemed to get a good chance, I actually thought we scored b/c they got so excited. At one point they were like goal, then wow how did Lehtinon stop that.

They talked about Grahame and how well he was playing. They said that Grahame made some phenomenal saves and really kept his team in the game. Talked at length about Ladd and how he is really starting to show why he was a first round pick. Said that Lavi has given him more ice time and allowed him to play with guys like Staal and Brind'Amour and how he's really starting to get the confidence needed to be that power forward. They thought that playing Ladd with Brind'Amour was the best thing as Brind'Amour is a great teacher for this young kid. Then towards the last 2 minutes they went on a Gleason kick. Talked about how Gleason has so much potential and he's going to be a great defenseman for this organization and how he has played a very solid game.

So yeah I was pleasantly surprised at them. I thought they talked more about our guys then their own.

[corylav]

There is no doubt we need to go out and get a point man this offseason. No doubt. I'll disagree on the Cullen take, tho ... Cullen's value wasn't in getting points on the PP, it was in carrying into the zone. He did a great job at establishing us in our zone. Our PP doesn't run thru the points too much, so once you're in the zone, there's not may points to be had from there.

Tanabe's been our best at carrying into the zone the second half of this season ... so in my mind he's been maybe our best point guy. Too many times I've seen Staal try to carry into the zone only to turn it over or lose control. It's just not his thing. I'm not saying there's going to be someone out there like Niedermayer to grab ... but there will be someone that can help give us more balance on the PP.

IMO, Hutch could help now, but I'm not the coach.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

There is no doubt we need to go out and get a point man this offseason. No doubt. I'll disagree on the Cullen take, tho ... Cullen's value wasn't in getting points on the PP, it was in carrying into the zone. He did a great job at establishing us in our zone. Our PP doesn't run thru the points too much, so once you're in the zone, there's not may points to be had from there.


That's what I was going to say. And also, that he kept the puck in the zone better than anyone we've got on the point now.

My happiness with Cullen and criticism of our current point guys really has nothing to do with scoring from the point.

[corylav]

And also, that he kept the puck in the zone better than anyone we've got on the point now.

Yes, definitely. One of the problems is we have so many d-men (even if Hedican, Wesley and Tanabe leave or retire), we'd probably have to search for a forward to run the point on the first unit. I just don't know who a good option out there is. Bondra's one of the best, but old and always hurt. I shudder to think what some of the better d-man point guys will get (Hamrlik, Souray or Schneider for example) and I don't think we can take a chance on a guy like Berard who's hurt all the time.

Maybe there's a trade to be made ... ?

[Kahz]

There is no doubt we need to go out and get a point man this offseason. No doubt. I'll disagree on the Cullen take, tho ... Cullen's value wasn't in getting points on the PP, it was in carrying into the zone. He did a great job at establishing us in our zone. Our PP doesn't run thru the points too much, so once you're in the zone, there's not may points to be had from there.

Tanabe's been our best at carrying into the zone the second half of this season ... so in my mind he's been maybe our best point guy.There's a reason our PP doesn't run through the points. Who exactly is going to score from there? Tanabe and Kaberle have combined for 21 career PP goals in 816 games.

You're right that Tanabe and Cullen are great at carrying the puck into the zone, but nothing much gets accomplished once they are there. If it did, we wouldn't have the 17th and 25th ranked powerplays the last two seasons. We've had no consistent threat from the point.

Most powerplays around the league run around point shots. I don't think our coaching staff is so stupid to negate a man advantage by utilizing only the guys down low, but simply they realize that the pointmen are terrible. Which is why Staal is up there: he scores a goal or sets one up once in a while.

Tanabe has been on the ice for 3.3 PP goals per 60 minutes, while Staal has been on the ice for 5.8 per 60. We score powerplay goals much more often when Staal is on the ice than when Tanabe is. I don't care if Tanabe makes beautiful figure eights or snow angels on the powerplay, he doesn't score and neither does the rest of the team do so when he's on the ice. He is a terrible pointman.

IMO, Hutch could help now, but I'm not the coach.Agreed. Hutchinson should be in the lineup over Seidenberg.

Interesting post! Thanks for taking the time to compile all that and post it.

While I agree this team has been starved for great point men, I think the thinking is that Staal would be more effective (and perhaps the PP on the whole) when not on the point, not necessarily that he's that much more horrible than Cullen. What are Eric's PP goals/pts this season as compared to last?

In fact, I'd love to know what Staal, Cole, Stillman's PP stats are from this year to last. Of course, I know Stillman's will be down, but I'm just talking about how those numbers stack up in comparison.

Cole
05-06: 3G-11A-14PTS, 276:46. 3.03 points/60 minutes
06-07: 8G-7A-15PTS, 253:37. 3.55 points/60 minutes

Stillman
05-06: 10G-24A-34PTS, 397:34. 5.13 points/60 minutes
06-07: 1G-10A-11PTS, 123:20. 5.35 points/60 minutes.

Staal
05-06: 19G-21A-40PTS, 451:10. 5.31 points/60 minutes.
06-07: 11G-13A-24PTS, 375:20. 3.83 points/60 minutes.

So, Stillman and Cole have improved their PP production over last season, while Staal's has dropped. At first glance I'd take it that as an indication that Staal is better down low, but a few things lead me to believe otherwise.

1) Staal's even strength scoring is down as well, so his decreased PP production could just be a reflection of his overall season.

05:06: 22G-34A-56PTS, 1098:00. 2.95 points/60 minutes.
06-07: 14G-21A-35PTS, 993:37. 2.11 points/60 minutes.

2) Staal was very effective playing the point in the playoffs alongside Hedican.

7G-10A-17PTS, 111:18. 9.16 points/60 minutes.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I'd be interested to know exactly how many of Staal's points on the PP come from when he is actually still on the point. Obviously, not a stat we can just look up.....but my feeling all season long has been that he scores when he pinches, not from the blueline. IMO, he's a much bigger threat from the halfwalls than the point. And at least a few of his PP goals this season have come on an end to end rush. No one is arguing Staal sucks up there or, that Tanabe is great up there. Just that Staal could be better utilized elsewhere and we need to acquire someone who actually can play the point.

I really think bringing the playoffs into this comparison is....well....silly. EVERYONE elevated their game during the playoffs. You just can't compare all that to regular season play. That should be made obvious by the fact that Hedican was decent on the point in the playoffs, and he's been trash on the point in the regular season for as long as I can remember.

[corylav]

I wouldn't agree that most PP's are run thru the point ... I think there's a balance around the league of the way people run their PP ... any team with Forsberg or Jagr is going to be running things thru them on the sideboards, and there are other teams that do the same. Buffalo's not "from the point" driven, and neither is NJ, to give two examples.

I also agree with SHC on Staal from the point. Just b/c he starts off at the point doesn't mean that's where his points are coming from. Matter of fact, I'm usually so frustrated at his inability to keep the puck in the zone of from the points. I think he gets more points than Cullen as a point guy on the PP b/c he's WAY more talented a scorer and passer, plain and simple. Really, like I (and others) stated above, the only guy who seems to conisitently get his shot thru from the point is Hutch — his shots just seem to have eyes. I would love Anton on the point, but given his recent contract hissy fit and how slow he is at letting his shot go, that's probbly not an answer either.

[SoCalcaniac]

I'd be interested to know exactly how many of Staal's points on the PP come from when he is actually still on the point. Obviously, not a stat we can just look up.....but my feeling all season long has been that he scores when he pinches, not from the blueline. IMO, he's a much bigger threat from the halfwalls than the point. And at least a few of his PP goals this season have come on an end to end rush. No one is arguing Staal sucks up there or, that Tanabe is great up there. Just that Staal could be better utilized elsewhere and we need to acquire someone who actually can play the point.

I really think bringing the playoffs into this comparison is....well....silly. EVERYONE elevated their game during the playoffs. You just can't compare all that to regular season play. That should be made obvious by the fact that Hedican was decent on the point in the playoffs, and he's been trash on the point in the regular season for as long as I can remember.

You, you, you beat me to it! :lol: ;) That is exactly what I was gonna say.

I fully believe most of Eric's PP points were not earned from his play on the point.

I also think the PO comparison is not a good one, because when you're in the playoffs the stakes just soar. But my original thought in bringing up the Staal-on-the-point 'thread' (sorry I didn't mean to hijack, it just happened) was that I think he is far more effective on the halfwall. He's done some good on the point- we can all flashback and remember a few; however, I think personally, he creates more and is harder to handle when he's down low. That being said, the booming shot from the PP is all well and good- you have to be accurate and it has to get through;and again, you would need to have a consistent person in front creating havoc; which JWill has done off and on since last year- I see Ladd trying to be that guy- not there yet, but he's trying; but that is one thing that I would love to see more consistently. the big body in front. Therrien for the Penguins has done it with JStaal in recent games, to some success.

I'm sure Coach has rattled his brain on many a day and night trying to come up with new looks or heck "something" on the PP. and how good of all of us to try and help him with that eh?? :laugh:

[caveman]

imho: staal on the point for 4 on 3 or 5 on 3, otherwise somebody else plzkthnks.

[Kahz]

I'd be interested to know exactly how many of Staal's points on the PP come from when he is actually still on the point. Obviously, not a stat we can just look up.....but my feeling all season long has been that he scores when he pinches, not from the blueline. IMO, he's a much bigger threat from the halfwalls than the point. And at least a few of his PP goals this season have come on an end to end rush. No one is arguing Staal sucks up there or, that Tanabe is great up there. Just that Staal could be better utilized elsewhere and we need to acquire someone who actually can play the point.Pointmen aren't glued to the blueline. You can say the same about Cullen last season; I can only recall him scoring once from the point, the rest were pinching down low or on the rush.

I completely agree that we need to acquire someone that can play the point (someone a lot better than either Kaberle or Cullen). But how is that going to help us now?

All I'm saying is that Staal on the point and whoever down low is 1000x better than Staal down low and Tanabe on the point. Tanabe is so bad that we can replace that "whoever" with "Craig Adams" and get the same results as we would with Tanabe playing the point. "John Grahame" would only be slight hyperbole.

[corylav]

Some quick research (and NHL.com video watching) led me to this. It doesn't analyze Staal's PP assists, but here's how all his PP goals went down:

******
10.20 vs. BUF: Staal does a "slap pass" from the point that hits a Buffalo defender (Tallinder, I think) and takes an odd bounce to go past the goalie

10.28 vs. TB: 1) Staal scores on a rush up the ice
2) Staal throws the puck in front from the goalie's left and it bounces in

11.07 vs. NJ: Staal scores from the point on a 5-on-3

11.18 vs. DAL: 1)Staal scores from the point on a 4-on-3
2) Staal deflection in front of Williams shot

11.24 vs. BOS: Staal scores from the right circle

1.9 vs. TOR: Staal scores from point on 5-on-3

1.20 vs. TB: Staal scores on rebound of Hutchinson shot from the point

2.10 vs. MIN: Staal scores on give-and-go from Whitney after Grahame sends them on a rush

2.27 vs. OTT: Staal scores from the left circle on a rush up the ice

*****

So he's got three goals from the point, all with just three defenders on the ice. Take that all FWIW. For me, it means great shot that he has trouble getting thru in normal situations. *shrug*

[caveman]

All I'm saying is that Staal on the point and whoever down low is 1000x better than Staal down low and Tanabe on the point. Tanabe is so bad that we can replace that "whoever" with "Craig Adams" and get the same results as we would with Tanabe playing the point. "John Grahame" would only be slight hyperbole.

Hilarious! A belated welcome to the board, Kahz. ;]

[canesfansince97]

As far as Belanger goes...i think he is a solid player...but he just wasnt really working out here...i mean ive been to two games in which in one he had a breakaway and didnt come close to scoring, and then the other in which he had a penalty shot and he didnt even get a freakin shot off...and sometimes guys dont click with who they are playing with...i mean he got a few goals when stiller played on the line with him...but with Hossa on the same line as him that says nothing but success...as far as Staal on the point...that is cool with me...he has gotten goals off the point...but we got to get guys in front of the net...that is my big thing...get guys in front of the net to set screens, deflect pucks in, or clean up juicy rebounds...that is why i was happy to see Anson Carter come in, i watched some of his stuff on NHL.com, and he usually was lurking around the net minder and put away some garbage goals...we just need to go for it full force and get these wins...im pretty upset that we have almost a week off, other teams are still playing and are probably gonna get much needed points for their prospective playoff runs, while we sit here dormant, but maybe this will give our guys some much needed rest to heal up, especially Cole, Hedican, and WHITNEY, i think his presence was missed during the game....all in all i was listening to the game at work, and it added to the stress of doing my job, we still got games left tho...we need to get a sense of urgency in the locker room and on the ice...

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Pointmen aren't glued to the blueline. Really? Never noticed.

You can say the same about Cullen last season; I can only recall him scoring once from the point, the rest were pinching down low or on the rush.
And who was comparing Staal to Cullen on scoring from the point?

I said earlier, my preference for Cullen on the point had nothing to do with his or Staal's scoring. :huh: He got and kept the puck in the zone. And we had a 17th place PP in comparison to this season's 25th. Still not stellar, but certainly an improvement.

I agree, we need bodies in front. In an ideal world, I think Staal can be better utilized somewhere other than the point. And frankly, I'd just like to see the kid not under that kind of presure in a year where he's struggling.

[canesfansince97]

good point about Staal, maybe if we got him down low, he could put some pucks in the net and get some confidence back in the closing weeks of the season

[Caniac4life]

My biggest beef with Chuck is that I can never tell who has scored.



Exactly how I feel. Usually after a score I think to myself, "Did he just say 'and he scores'". I know it's fast paced and a difficult job to do but Chuck gets to talking so fast and high-pitched when the action gets busy (like in front of the net), it takes all my listening skills to decipher it.

[nccanes]

Hell, I just wait until I hear (or don't) the arena's horn. That's my definitive way of knowing who scored (of course taking into consideration where they are playing).

[Serendipity]

I agree, we need bodies in front.

This is just one of the biggest problems so far this year...PP or no. So many times they are battling behind the goal or cycling the puck and there is NO ONE in front of the net to pass or center to. I've been watching this closely for the last few games and it's driving me nuts how no one is setting screens or waiting for rebounds and the goalies have fantastic looks at our shots.

I'm with everyone on the Staal-on-the-point issue. Nothing to do with his scoring, more carrying the puck into the zone.

[Guyute]

That's been one of the key issues of this team for the last 5+ years. Some may say the Canes have never really had a big guy who gets in front and can't be moved. That's why a lot of us were (are) so excited about Ladd. He has the potential to be that guy.

[Serendipity]

That's been one of the key issues of this team for the last 5+ years. Some may say the Canes have never really had a big guy who gets in front and can't be moved. That's why a lot of us were (are) so excited about Ladd. He has the potential to be that guy.

I agree. I think Ladd would be great in this role.

[Bonbonsgrrl]

welllll i know I'm UBER late on this but I just got to Raleigh and to a computer from the trip back from Atlanta to my place in Greensboro to HOME here in Raleigh.

First off Atlanta is a beautiful city. That was my first time there and I just could NOT get everything in that I wanted to in the day and a half i was there. There was JUST NOT enough time in the day to do it all. I was shocked that there was SO MUCH to do in and around the arena...and the restaurant in Embassy Suites was DELICIOUS!!!!

On to the game..Philips is such a nice arena and I did not run into one bad fan even with my sign. They laughed it off and the Canes seemed to enjoy it as well. I saw a few Canes fans and WOOed at each one of them when I saw one. So if you got WOOed at..that was me :-D. To the game....it was alright. I saw a bit of organization in the PowerPlay but then it just seemed to fall apart. As far as Anson Carter......i'm still not impressed with him. He looked lost to me out there and I just don't like him thus far.....but for a 5th rounder i guess its an alright deal.
I loved seeing Ladd in front of the net...I swear he jumps like a beautiful hockey player ballarina trying to deflect pucks in. I swear i saw Stillman in front at a few times. Good to see players finally getting in front.
The fans were pleasant. I did not run into one bad fan who were all so nice and so generous and the security guards gave us a rough time saying we better behave or they'll throw us out. :lol: it was cute how their mascot had his own Secret Service who broke down dancing with him......kinda hot.


So its a day off tomorrow Practice on Wednesday and Thursday and OFF to Washington DC for my last day of Spring Break :( but its time to make the most of it and enjoy.

I dunno if my last question is OT of if i need to ask this in the Practice thread....BUT i know on Game Days they don't allow autographs etc outback after pregame skate....on a regular practice day like Wed and Thurs are autographs and such not allowed as well or can you go seek autographs on a regular practice day since the head security whatnot has changed?

[nccanes]

Glad you had fun BBG. Thanks for taking the time to post between legs of your trip! Hopefully a better result in DC!