Game Thread ..... vs. Montreal, 4/5/12

[SoCalcaniac]

KF- I agree on your points on Staal. When many fans were questioning his character, wanted to trade him, send him to CLT and all that junk, This transformation for me, is not surprising at all. (Putting down my Eric Staal pom-poms permanently affixed since we drafted him, ) What has been great is it's clear, he has shaken off the who horrid start to the season, embraced this new Coach and whatever Muller said to him at the get go some how has clicked with him. I think #12 did the work to dig himself out of that hole/stopped feeling sorry for himself (and I do think he did feel sorry for himself, if for a minute) and off he went. You can't be that talented of a player to not do this. It's just confirmed my belief in him mostly.

On this news about the potential scheduling issue in Charlotte for playoffs? As much as I love road trips out to CLT and we've been planning to go out there - we didn't schedule anything of substance after the NHL season ends; it would be fabulous to have some Checkers playoff games here. Would be very awesome.

Originally Posted by Caveman

That would definitely be cool, though I'd feel for the Charlotte fans

Why? Most of these games are on weekends, and they can come this way. Just like a good number of Canes fans go out there/went out there all season and last playoffs. Yes, an inconvenience, but it's not like they'd have to travel out of state.

[caveman]

Because if the Hurricanes played a playoff game in Charlotte, weekend or not, I couldn't go, or at least not take my son, etc. Sure, some fans from Charlotte would make it up, but clearly not all of them.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Thanks for the Staal recap! I figured that was the gist and could definitely tell when he gave the fans a shoutout but, it's nice to get more details.

Thinking of how I felt for Brindy by the time he retired, and how I feel for Staal now....if he sticks around her I might have flat-out unhealthy levels of worship for the kid.


Yep, I'd feel for the Charlotte fans as well but, also would be great for me!! We were definitely planning to try to get down there, if they make it.

As to why to feel bad for Charlotte fans, there are lots of folks who work on weekends. It's easy to hit a game after work, if it's not 3 hours away. Also, we're talking about people who bought AHL tickets...that doesn't mean they can afford NHL tickets. So, swinging a night in a hotel certainly could be challenging for them and don't forget the nearly $4/gallon gas. It's certainly a chunk of change when we go, though we choose to stay in nicer digs, etc and could certainly do it cheaper.

[SoCalcaniac]

Ok points taken on feeling for the CLT fans. SHC's right, it does usually cost a small chunk of change, and we also choose to spend to stay in a great hotel, since I rarely drive to an office & don't feel that $4 pinch as much as just about anyone; I am totally irked by the gas prices enough that I might be protesting on that front. So yeah, I do feel that pain. Would be very happy if we got a crack at a couple AHL games here.

SHC- glad to recap the Staal comments for you & I'm probably on that unhealthy levels of worship thing you mentioned.

[nccanes]

I would have taken a more exciting game for the fans, but the outcome cannot be complained about at all.

LOVED seeing Cole's little smile and lookback at Cam after his miss.

[MoBigRed]

Originally Posted by KaniacFever

Staal has always been a great player, but these last few months, he looks like a totally different player to me, in a good way. I agree with what Forslund and MM were talking about on the aftermath how we always say we need to find that winger for Staal, but damn if Staal didn't make his wingers look better. I think he has made that turn under Muller and its exciting to see. Don't get me wrong, I still want us to grab Parise, but Staal, this second half, didn't look like he needed that top 6 winger. Maybe we should concentrate on grabbing that top defenseman and helping Cam out so he doesn't have to work so hard.

Good point, but at the same time, if Staal is playing this well with Tlusty/LaRose, imagine what he could do with legit top-liners, like, say, when he was All-Star game MVP...