Up next: Ray Whitney, Jussi Jokinen and the Carolina Hurricanes

by FrankD on Mar 20, 2010 11:20 AM EDT in 2009-10 game previews

[SBN Hurricanes blog - Canes Country]

Record:29-33-8 (14th in the East)

Scorers:Jussi Jokinen (27g, 29a), Eric Staal (22g, 34a), Ray Whitney (21g, 31a)

Seeing as how the Hurricanes have been eliminated from playoff contention for a good week now, there's not much more the team can do at this point but hope to spoil win streaks, ruin playoff dreams and potentially better their chances at a top pick in the upcoming draft. But given those scenarios, the only one that really applies to today's 1pm start is the latter. So with that said, let's see the Penguins do their part and help Carolina's chances in the draft this summer.

Today marks the final game of the season between the Pens and Canes in a season series tied at 1-1-1. Sure, we'll have a definitive winner by the end of the day, but as previously mentioned, the Penguins are the only ones who can really benefit from a 'W' here. Ray Whitney and Eric Staal have both been on tears, but in the end you can only applaud their competitive streak.

Where did the season go? Eleven regular season games remain on Pittsburgh's schedule. Washington currently hold an impressive 15 point lead in the Conference which is, safe to say, likely strong enough to hold off any other teams for the remainder of the season. While it is an admirable feat to finish the season at the top of the Conference, it would appear as if luck is not in the top team's corner since returning from the lockout in 2005. Since then, no number one team has won, or even advanced for that matter, to the Stanley Cup Finals. Just a thought.

It's an early start today so hopefully you west coasters are up early to take it in. This may pose as one of the easier games over the next four, as the Penguins still have Detroit, Washington and Philly on tap next week. However, if you want to invest some hope in this game, then rest assured a two-point win more or less guarantees a Pittsburgh playoff berth, regardless of how they close out the remainder of the season.

Puck and thread at 1pm.

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Comments

Hey, for Whitney it’s not just a competitive streak: he’s playing for a contract, too, and almost assuredly NOT in Carolina again.

PensBurgh

by JustinM on Mar 20, 2010 11:31 AM EDT reply actions

He played the Caps pretty well a couple of days ago. Actually, the entire Canes team was pretty good. You could tell that though that they could be outclassed easily if the Caps wanted it enough (the Pens should be able to replicate that) but they were playing with nothing to lose, and Peters was really good.

Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans no more intelligent than myself

by red army line on Mar 20, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions

As a Cane’s blogger, I’m really enjoying this dialog ^ (“outclassed”, you say? from the fanbase of Ovechkin and Cooke?)

And actually we haven’t been eliminated from the playoffs, technically. See here . Hard as it is to believe, the team still thinks it can get in. Having beaten the Caps, the Pens, the Devils in the last couple weeks, you can see that they have been battling and winning against the best. Tomorrow night, Buffalo.

It’s a proud team that always wants to do their best. It’s what we the fans love about them: never EVER quit. Exciting hockey.

Justin, Ray Whitney will almost definitely be back in Carolina after this year, and will probably retire into a coaching role. Why would you suggest otherwise?

Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."

by Carolyn Christians on Mar 20, 2010 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Word was that he wanted a trade if the Canes GM could swing one with a team he’d be willing to join. If that wasn’t the case, then I don’t have much reason to believe he’ll be elsewhere.

PensBurgh

by JustinM on Mar 20, 2010 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, you get it, outclassed as in if the Caps or Pens want it as much as the Canes then the Canes will be easily outskilled.
There’s also the fact that if the Canes drop a game, it’s not as if that’s a massive collapse. So really, no pressure on them at all, especially having “sold” at the deadline and missing their superstar goalie.

Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans no more intelligent than myself

by red army line on Mar 21, 2010 4:00 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

One other reason that relates specifically to the Canes: Revenge. A playoff sweep is quite a motivator, as their 2-0-1 record against us would indicate.

by SlayerGhaleon on Mar 20, 2010 11:42 AM EDT reply actions