I thought Ellis would start too but I think they should let Ward play. The only way he can get through his troubles is to play.

Last night was a fun night at the RBC. I would have preferreded a shut out but it turned out to be a goodgame.

Alexander Semin has been a pleasant surprise. Real team player. The goals will come. That man has a wicked shot.

Ellis looked really good tonight. For that matter the whole team. This was a good performance from top to bottom. Harrison stepped up. Corvo took advantage of the start. Semin broke through. Very happy about tonight

Did they win tonight? What's their record at and how many games are being played this shortened season?

I've never been a huge hockey fan, but was thinking I might try to pay attention more this year. (Obviously I'm not off to a good start)

I agree, Ellis looked pretty good tonight. I think the fact he had been playing in Charlotte already has him in midseason form. Good to see Semin get his 1st goal, that was a nasty wrister.

Troll, the Canes are now 2-2-0. They looked like crap in their 1st 2 games against Florida and Tampa but turned around and beat Buffalo in both games of a home-and-home. I believe the season is 48 games.

Canes looking alot better, maybe being on the ice together was all needed. Isn't it strange how a team gets to .500 is perceived by its fans. Canes started out 0-2 and perhaps gloom set in. Sabres started out 2-0 and glee set in. Now both are 2-2....same results just different route.

@Troll

Hockey takes a while to learn but once you begin to understand the game, it's a great sport. I'm an 8 year STH however I still am clueless as to what the heck is going on with the refs' calls.

For a while after their Stanley Cup run the Canes' home ice was considered to be the loudest in the NFL. Just image if you can, 18,000+ fans standing and yelling the ENTIRE 60 minutes of the game. Those fans never sat down and never stopped yelling during the finals. Unreal!

Troll, I still get alot of grief from my buddies about liking hockey. When ask if they want to go to a Canes game with me, they always say "theres a reason they call it Hock-ee". Hey, I'm as big football fan as there is and shunned hockey at first when it came to NC. Watching hockey on tv is a great way to learn the game but if you really want to experience hockey, go see it live. TV does not do justice to the speed and contact of the game. Its really strange to be in the RBC for Wolfpack basketball game and then a quick turn around to Canes game. Amazing how the atmosphere is so different. My wife says the difference is the beer, lol.

Like Greywolf said, its loud.

I like the way this team battles. They can score with any team out there

@Gowolves
You must have posted just after Skins and Eric put in 2 quick goals to tie the game up at 3-3 at the end of the 2nd -- then gave it away with less than 2 minutes to go in the 3rd. Yes, the Canes are dangerous. Still need help at the blue line.

Boston denied Canes ability to move puck center ice on offense, they seemed to get frustrated early on and relied more on just dumping the puck toward goal and chasing it. I hate that style of play, someone needs to skate the puck up for Canes to be successful. Boston is the best power play stopping team in the league, no team has scored on them, streak goes way into last season. Canes still learning to play together, they will get better.

Boston is actually plus 1 on the power play with that shorty last night.
I hated to see them give that point away

Nice to see the boys bounce back from being down a couple of times. Sucked to give up that late goal. It looks like Corvo might be in Muller's doghouse, he's already been a healthy scratch and with Faulk out of the lineup Corvo only played 1 shift in the 3rd period.

Boychuk was claimed on waivers by the Penguins today, Nodl was called up from Charlotte to fill the roster spot. Boychuk was a 1st round pick that never really produced much, this felt like the put up or shut up season for him.

Huge mistake bringing Corvo back. With Jordan Staal and Semin coming in IMNSHO we didn't need more scoring. I just found out about Ward's wife having a baby (meaning he wasn't going anywhere to play to stay sharp) and that he was sick a couple of days during the week before the season. Cam seems to be coming around. Gotta like Ellis and his great attitude. He knows he wasn't brought in to compete for a starting job so even though he was outstanding vs the Sabers, he knew the next start was Cam's.

Boston is very aggressive with their PK. If they continue to be successful, I think we will see many of the teams change from 'lay back' to a more aggressive style. Semin has the skill to handle the pressure but until the team develops a new plan he will stay inside the system -- as he should.

Sure hope Faulk is back tonight and I was pleased with McBain's play. We have a couple of very good young defensemen in those 2.

We'll see what the Sens have tonight. If we continue to play up to the level of our opp, this should be an great game.

And it was a great game... 1-0 shutout the conf. leading Sens. Corvo didn't bring the puck up the ice one time that I saw. It looked like he was under orders not to.

Semin 3rd star; E. Staal, 2nd star; Ellis, 1st star. Mike M thought that Semin could have been the 1st star given how he played tonight. Semin controlled the puck, eased it out to the rt point and fired a shot that Staal redirected for the only score.

I've been impressed with Semin's passing so far, nice setup for Staal's goal like Greywolf mentioned.

If Dan Ellis keeps this up we might have ourselves a goalie controversy. Playing in the AHL already has him in midseason form while Cam still seems to be shaking some rust off.

Great game last night. I was invited to go and had a great time.
I am 4-0 in games at the RBC this season. Let's make it 5-0 today

Canes are up 4-1 late against the Leafs. Jordan Staal with his 1st Canes goal, Dwyer with his 3rd of the season.

Thought it was a little odd they sent Zac Dalpe down to Charlotte and brought up Tim Wallace, thought Zac had played OK so far and has some offensive upside.

I am not much of a hockey fan but will watch the Canes occasionally if I find it on, and pull for them. I find it similar to pulling for the Wolfpack. It can be very annoying and frustrating. Since I am a novice hockey fan, correct me in what I think I am seeing. We get lazy with the puck and make some bad passes (Very State-BB-Like). We are predominantly a defensive team with break-out offense. In other words we spend 75% of the time on our heels trying to defend the goal, and occasionally get the puck and go try to score, say 75%-25%, respectively? What's not fun about that? I kinda get most of the rules. Nobody passes the blue line ahead of the puck but once it's in all is good. Icing is when you sling it all the way to the defensive end and don't get to a certain point so it goes back to the other teams goal end for a faceoff. Kinda get the slashing and non-puck stick fouls. The Canes are not very good on power plays. Every time I see US on a power play, the other teams steals the puck and makes a run at our goal (again reminds me of State-sh:t). Am I somewhat accurate on my observations????

If you are basing it off of the game last night, you would be correct but overall it varies. Against the Senators we were struggling to hold possession and it did feel that way, but other games it varies. We are normally a dump and chase team. This is where we dump the puck in at the blue line and we try to beat the defenders to regain possession. Last year it was very NC State like in that we would either blow leads or comeback just enough to get beat in OT or at the last second.

Didn't see much of last night's game, glad the boys got the 2 points and put up 6 goals but apparently the PK sucked it up. 4 point night for Tlusty, the E.Staal-Semin-Tlusty line seems to be playing really well.

Saw a couple of rumors that Corvo and McBain might be on the trading block in an attempt to upgrade the defense, would have to think Ryan Murphy would have to be involved in order to get somebody really good back in return.

@ WVWolf

I saw the entire game on TV so if you will forgive me, I'll give you some of my thoughts on it.

Poor Islanders. How do you get 4 PP goals in a game while shutting down the opps PP and not win?

Believe it or not and I know it's hard to believe but Corvo has been playing the best hockey of his career the last 2 games -- aggressive on both O & D without his usual give aways (GVs) and sloppy D. Muller has done for him in a month what all his coaches tried to do his entire time. Sanguinetti is probably about done unless somebody gets injured. I don't know who else is in the system we could use. He's low man on the team with a minus 4. Jussi is at -3 an Skinner is -2 but they ain't going anywhere. Skinner is greatly improved defensively as is Joni P.

Don't let that smile and pretty face fool you. Skins is getting to be pretty nasty with the forecheck. He put his glove in somebedy's face and gave him a shove last night. It was the kind of thing that the refs let them get away with while a slash gets you 2 minutes in the box.

Come to think of it Muller has nearly the whole team playing at a higher level.

While the PP stats were lopsided in the Islander's favor, the GV's were ridiculously in our favor -- their 18 or 19 to our 1. (That may be an error on the event summary but I don't think so.) Giving up all the goals on the PK while scoring 6 goals even strength does wonders for the +/- stats. For the season Staal and Semin are at plus 10 and Tlusty is +8.

We weren't particularly out hitting them BUT we worked hard in the corners and behind the net. Thinking back I notice in my mind's eye we got the puck in their zone consistently. True we did dump and chase lot but we use that to change lines also. And we were the fresher team in the 3rd period.

The high TOI numbers were around 20 or 21 while the 4th line got in about 10 minutes each. Smart since we play back to back games yesterday and today.

I just hope Kurt Muller finds a nice home and if he has a wife she loves it here in Raleigh. If he doesn't have one, that he'll find one here who doesn't want to spend her winters in the Great White North.

I had a philosophy when I coached youth sports that you played the game to find out what you need to practice. Not a bad philosophy for coaching youth I might add. Muller seems to be of the same notion -- the Canes seem to correct between games as well as work on improving.

One thing I'd like to see us improve is the pace of the puck on passes. We make a lot of 'soft' passes. The pace of the puck allows opps to get there soon after the puck giving our guy little space and time to handle and redistribute the puck. This ain't youth hockey. Put some pace on it.

I went to some early practices and saw the Canes working on the opposite of dump and chase. We were not all that successful with it. So as much as I DON'T like D and C hockey, I dislike losing even more. I (think) recall our bringing the puck into the attack zone most of the 3rd period (when it's too late to go over new strategy between periods). Semin was particularly effective at it.

Well WV, we'll see how it goes tonight vs the Devils.

Yes they did! We out played the Devils and came away with a 4-2 win. The Devils ain't the Islanders and the game was much tougher.

Would you believe the Canes lead their Division?

Thanks for the insights Greywolf, good info in there.

I think any NHL team would be pretty happy with a 4-1-1 road trip. Just hope the Pitkanen injury isn't too serious.

So I guess we can go ahead and declare the Canes the clear-cut winner in the Jiri Tlusty for Philippe Paradis trade with Toronto. Paradis started the season in the ECHL and has 1 goal in the AHL. Although it might not say much about the Canes scouts since we spent a 1st round draft pick on Paradis.

I was beginning to wonder what JR and Muller saw in Tlusty. Let's hope his success continues. Man o man, did the Canes turn their board play around. Muller said after the Islanders game we had to win the battles. NJ didn't like it one bit that we came out and stuck it to 'em, like they like to do.

IIRC Dwyer is now on the 2nd line with Jordan and Skins. He had around 20 min TOI last night. OTH LaRose only had 7 min -- about what Westie and Dalpe usually get. I hope this doesn't create a locker room problem.

As you can tell I pay close attention to the TOI stats. They more often as not confirm my opinion of who is playing well and who is not. More informative than G & A's. +/- stats are also informative. Staal and Semin are averaging a + per game. If that stat holds up, we will win the Cup again.

I can't hear worth squat so I missed that Pitkanen was injured. I did wonder why his TOI was low for him. Dog house or not, Sanguinetti will have to play if Joni is out.

I'm taking my wife to dinner at the PNC for Valentines Day. Probably have hotdogs if it's family night. Hey! It's what she wanted. Gotta love a woman who buys season tickets every year and doesn't miss a game on TV. We watch all the games in June. She bought some package that streams in on the computer. She tries to have dinner ready by the time the pre-game show comes on. Don't look at me like that. I hand her my plate to be put in the dishwasher and put up the place mats. Gotta do your part.

We did cut the post game show for the State of the Union address. I'm not a total reprobate.

Just in case you were feeling good about that road trip, Pitkanen is out tonight and is listed as day-to-day (but then again aren't we all), Gleason is questionable, Michal Jordan has been called up from Charlotte. Dan Ellis will be in net.

^Wait..what? Michael Jordan is coming up from Charlotte? Man will now have played 3 pro sports.

Just hope Jordan plays better in the NHL than he did in MLB.

Nice win over the Leafs with the backup goalie and probably our top 2 d-men out of the lineup.

As well as Dan Ellis has played got me to wondering if this is the best goalie combo we've had. Ward/Ellis or maybe Irbe/Weekes or Irbe/Kidd or Gerber/Ward?

97-98: Kidd / Burke / McLean / Jablonski / Fountain
98-99: Irbe / Kidd
99-00: Irbe / Fichaud / Fitzpatrick
00-01: Irbe / Moss
01-02: Irbe / Barrasso / Weekes
02-03: Weekes / Irbe / DesRochers
03-04: Weekes / Irbe / Storr
05-06: Gerber / Ward
06-07: Ward / Grahame
07-08: Ward / Grahame / Leighton
08-09: Ward / Leighton
09-10: Ward / Legace / Leighton / Peters
10-11: Ward / Peters
11-12: Ward / Peters / Boucher / Murphy
12-13: Ward / Ellis

I was feeling good about the road trip. ;-) So we play a hot team (4 game win streak) with our 2 best defensemen out using our back-up goalie and according to our coach the Canes played their best defensive game of the season. Go figure.

Muller and his staff managed the defensive pairings brilliantly. Sanguinetti and Jordan played 12 or so minutes while our 2 best available defenders, Faulk and Harrison, played 28 minutes more or less. Corvo and McBain logged 20 +/- minutes. He used Faulk and Harrison on Toronto's best attackers, Sanguinett and Jordan gave him 12 solid minutes without allowing a goal, and Corvo had a goal and an assist with McBain chipping in an assist as well. I expect the forwards on the ice with Sans and Jordan were defense-minded as well.

Muller is gettting a lot out of Jokinen as well. He centers the 3rd line and contributes on both Staal lines.

If any coach in the league is gettting more out of what he has than Kirk Muller, who is it? My wife tells me the talking heads on satelite radio are saying the Canes are one of the 4 certain teams in the EC for the playoffs. Who would have thought it when we were blown out our first 2 games?

Great article in the N&O by Chip Alexander detailing roles of Tlusty and Dwyer on their respective lines. Chip referred to Semin and Skinner as 'snipers' and the two Staal brothers playmaking centers who could get in the corners and dig the puck out. The Eric Staal line truly is our #1 line and the Jordan Staal line is the 2nd line but also dangerous.

The article is good reading for anyone who wants to know how the Canes are playing.

Didn't take long for the injury bug to hit the Canes hard. For the d-men Pitkanen and Gleason have been out, now McBain is out and Ryan Murphy has been called up on an emergency basis. There's half of our top 6 out of the lineup. And the forwards are banged up too, Brent is out and Skinner has another concussion which is not good.

Zach Redmond from the Jets apparently suffered a pretty bad cut in practice this morning at the PNC and was taken out in an ambulance. Ouch.

With all the injuries it was Ward who let us down, IMNSHO. When Sanguinetti took that shot to the knee I couldn't believe it -- another D-man down. We'll see if he's back next game.

That pass behind his back and between his legs that Semin put on Tlusty's stick was honest-to-god highlight reel material. Tlusty's second goal while not spectacular was very well done.

Our young D-men are performing admirably. I expect to see Murphy here next year. It's worthy of note that Murphy logged 24 minutes ice time while Jordan had less than 8 minutes. Faulk is putting in about 30 minutes a night. Corvo continues to think offense before defense and it cost us again last night.

http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/9...49/2507ce550e/

Come see me, guys! We gonna kick some butt!

Cam Ward Says No
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k...OnJoelWard.gif

Canes looked much better last night vs the Pens now that 4 regulars were back in the lineup. That 1st line of EStaal-Semin-Tlusty continues to roll.

I knew the Canes weren't going to beat the Caps when Semin missed that breakaway shortie, the hockey gods were not going to be on our side that night.

Has Trip ever mentioned that he was at JStaal's wedding? He should bring that up sometime.

I agree Trip cannot get enough of himself.




The team looked really good last night. I was impressed with Brent's play last night. I hope last night Ward began the process of exercising the demons. There was a play in the first period last night I think maybe the second where he stopped a break away and if you watched closely he clinched his shoulders and body like "yeah I just stopped your sh*t"! I have not EVER seen him do that. I think even he is frustrated with his play. I think he will turn it around and have more consistency in his game. If he can put a string of eight to 10 games of solid tending the Canes can put some distance in the southeast.

Who is watching this offensive output? Granted Theodore is out but but it is what is. Nash is playing great. Glad he was rewarded with his hustle. Juice is starting feel it! About time we take of divisional opponents. This team has a lot of potential!

Peters is between the pipes tonight. Let's hope this time around he plays to NHL standards. He has no problem doing it at the ACHL level.

Go Canes!!

Peters played well and the Canes won 4-3 over the Buffaslugs. Another good game by the top line. 4 game winning streak. Excellent.

3 game sweep of the Buffaslugs with 3 different starting goalies no less.

When was the last time (if ever) the Canes had a line that was +17, +17 and +15?

I think we might be OK with Ellis and Peters in goal, would be nice to add some more help on the blue line though.

Marc Staal took a puck in the eye in the Rangers/Flyers game, hope it isn't bad as it looked.

Now that the third line is clicking they are a fun and dangerous team.
I really enjoy watching them play

Yeah this is a fun team to watch. Semin has been the difference on that first line. Tlusty is loving life! I do hope they try to sign a blue liner before the April 3rd trade deadline.

2 mezzanine level tickets for tonight for anybody who wants them.. I know it's late to offer but old man flu has got me down and I just made the decision to not attend. I hope somebody can enjoy them. Email me at phil@appleblossom.biz. You'll have to pick up the tickets near Creedmore Rd and Strickland Rd -- about 20 minutes from the arena.

Saw that Ruutu is back in the lineup tonight vs the Devils. Always good to get a top 6 forward back in the lineup, especially when your d-men are dropping like flies. Faulk is out 2-4 weeks and Corvo is out (maybe a week, never heard what was wrong with him), Brett Bellemore is up from Charlotte. Picked up Adam Hall off waivers from Tampa which tells me LaRose got concussed pretty good. Rumors still persist we're looking to trade for a d-man.

Boychuk is back again. After being waived for the 3rd time (wonder what the record is) we claimed him, I'm assuming he'll go straight to Charlotte.

Wow this team needs to get healthy!!! So much potential... They need something to happen SOON!