Projected lines for Carolina Hurricanes

by FrankD on May 18, 2009 12:56 PM EDT in News

Bubba from CanesCountry posted up the projected lines for Carolina tonight. Not much from Pitt just yet on the lines, but I'll post them up soon or in the notes section of tonight's thread. As Hooks mentioned earlier, Pascal Dupuis is still a consideration for Game One, a decision that is likely pending on Sergei Gonchar's place in the lineup.

Walker-Staal-Whitney
LaRose-Cullen--Cole
Ruutu-Jokinen-Samsonov
Eaves-Brind’Amour-Bayda

Pitkanen-Seidenberg

Corvo-Gleason
Wallin-Kaberle

Something interesting to consider - the Hurricanes defensemen have combined for only two goals this entire playoff run (Tim Gleason, Joe Corvo). That's half of Mark Eaton's total for the playoffs or the same total as Gonchar. Pittsburgh defense, on the other hand, has ten goals over one less game played than Carolina.

It kinda makes you wonder: Will the point shot work against Cam Ward? I think that may even have a subpoint, as in Will Carolina be able to bully Pitt out of the crease? If so then the Penguins may need to adjust their attack. But coming right out of the gate tonight I think it's imperative that Pitt go with what's worked so far and then adjust if necessary in G2.

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Carolina’s depth is impressive. Guys like Jokinen, LaRose and Samsonov seem to score at big moments.

And Pitkanen piles up the minutes…If he played in a market that received more national attention I could see him getting a Norris candidacy at some point soon. His development’s seemed great since getting to Carolina.

by Hooks Orpik on May 18, 2009 2:00 PM EDT reply actions

Crud second

the real question is what were the defenses of the teams that either faced in the previous two rounds.

The Pens had the Flyers and Washington.

The ’Canes had the Devils and Boston.

That means a lot too.

Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!

by lcd2you on May 18, 2009 2:01 PM EDT reply actions

This just in

Pittsburgh PA,

Large storm gathering over Pittsburgh. It’s gathering strength but still not sure if this will be the big, bad Hurricane Wolf vs the Pens House of sticks or house of bricks.

Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!

by lcd2you on May 18, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s an Igloo.

-David
sixminutecynic.blogspot.com
www.piratesmix.com.

by pascaldupweevil on May 18, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

maybe he meant ice bricks…

Lifes rough, wear a helment

by lambofgad on May 18, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions

bricks are bricks, they can huff and puff all they want, that house ain’t blowing down….

by ahtrap on May 18, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

did you just compare the Canes to the big bad wolf?

Lifes rough, wear a helment

by lambofgad on May 18, 2009 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions

1) Cam Ward is the X-factor here. The Canes forwards as a group are no better than the Flyers or Caps, perhaps even inferior to them. Ward has been far and above better than what the Flyers/caps put forth in net against the Pens.
2) The Staal-vs Staal match up should be intriguing but will probably be over hyped by the media

I find sometimes it's easy to be myself
sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else

by Fauxrumors on May 18, 2009 4:08 PM EDT reply actions

I disagree.

The Canes have been able to hang 4 points on both the Devils and the Bruins.

It is not just the number of goals you score but who you get them past that matters.

Who would you rather face, Biron or Brodeur?

Who would you rather face, Chara or Green?

food for thought.

Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!

by lcd2you on May 18, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Pittsburgh’s beaten Jeff Carter (46 goals) and Alex Ovechkin (56 goals), the top two regular season goal leaders in the league.

So the stats can be used both ways. Just because Carolina’s had to play different opponents doesn’t necessarily mean that the Pens haven’t seen good teams yet. Because they have beaten two good ones as well.

by Hooks Orpik on May 18, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

No argument from me

Just pointing out why there could be a big scoring difference between the ’Canes and the Pens.

I think the Bruins and Devils were #1 and #4 on defense.

I don’t have an idea where the Flyers and Caps stood (save in the lines to buy playoff tickets).

Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!

by lcd2you on May 18, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

agreed, the number 5 and number 2 seeds.

" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run

by oldtimehockey09 on May 18, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

re: the point shot vs Cam Ward: the success of that approach will be directly tied into the subpoint you make, whether Sid’s going to be allowed, as he was against Washington, to stand in the vicinity, and make the adjustments needed to knock the puck into the net.

I think at least three of his goal against the caps were of the variety where, against a more physical team, he’d have been moved to a spot where he couldn’t kick the puck to where he could knock it in with the stick.

by ahtrap on May 18, 2009 4:40 PM EDT reply actions

Washington definitely gave him too much freedom to just dance around the net. Not only did he have time to set up but he also could find the loose puck, adjust and get a decent shot off. I don’t know how efficient Carolina’s defense will be at keeping him out but if they are looking for a game plan based off of tape from the Caps/Pens series then that’s all they need to know.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on May 18, 2009 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

defensemen scoring

Something interesting to consider – the Hurricanes defensemen have combined for only two goals this entire playoff run (Tim Gleason, Joe Corvo). That’s half of Mark Eaton’s total for the playoffs or the same total as Gonchar. Pittsburgh defense, on the other hand, has ten goals over one less game played than Carolina.

great point.

The Canes were a bit disappointed with the offensive production from their blueline so far these playoffs and the lack of scoring reflects in their poor powerplay numbers. Babchuk was silenced and Pitkanen has the assists, but no goals. Those two along with Corvo provided a lot of offense during the regular season for the Canes which has been missing.

It will be interesting to see how these two teams matchup. You never really know.

GM of CanesCountry.com

by Bob Wage on May 18, 2009 4:44 PM EDT reply actions

I might be MIA for Game 1

I just joined a softball league, which plays tonight.

Our track record is a lot better when I’m in Game Threads start to finish. :fingers crossed:

PensBurgh penalty - Lavender - 2 minutes for hijynxing.

by Lavender on May 18, 2009 5:34 PM EDT reply actions

Good luck, Pens!

A Sabres fan here from Western New York rooting for the Penguins.

by ccthemovieman on May 18, 2009 5:40 PM EDT reply actions

W00t! Welcome aboard. We’d be happy to adopt you for the run.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on May 18, 2009 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions

thank you

The Pens are entertaining and I’m pumped for the game, as I was the last series. I may even buy one of those great Penguins blue jerseys with the circular logo – it’s awesome.

by ccthemovieman on May 18, 2009 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions