A preview of the Hurricanes.
When and where: 7 p.m., RBC Center.
TV: FSN Pittsburgh, FSN Carolina, NHL Network (United States).
Record: 2-3-0, 4 points. The Hurricanes are in fourth place in the Southeast Division and 12th place in the Eastern Conference.
Leading Scorer: Jussi Jokinen, 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists).
Last Game: 5-2 road loss to the Lightning, Saturday. Cam Ward made 34 saves for Carolina.
Last Game against the Penguins: 4-1 home loss in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final, May 26. Maxime Talbot scored a goal and two assists and the Penguins swept the series. Talbot's goal which proved to be the game-winner:
Hurricanes Player We Would Bet Money On Scoring: Ray Whitney. He's always tough against the Penguins as he has 39 points (10 goals, 29 assists) in 37 career games against Pittsburgh.
Ex-Penguins on the Hurricanes: Tom Barrasso, assistant coach; Ron Francis, associated head coach/director of player personnel; Tom Kostopoulos, RW; Kevin McCarthy, assistant coach; Jim Rutherford, general manager.
Ex-Hurricanes on the Penguins: Craig Adams, RW (Adams was the last player every drafted by the Whalers).
Useless Hurricanes Whalers Trivia Vaguely Related to the Penguins: The 350th NHL win in franchise history was a 6-4 victory at the Civic Arena, Nov. 29, 1990. Ron Francis scored the winning goal for Hartford.
Best Hurricanes Whalers YouTube Video We Could Find: Defenseman Marty McScorley, in his second run with the Penguins, duking it out with Whalers tough guy Mark Janssens:
Notes:
-Marc-Andre Fleury (5-0-0, 2.36 GAA, .914 SV%) and Cam Ward (2-3-0, 2.86 GAA, .913 SV%) are the expected starters in net.
-For the Penguins, forward Mark Letestu (knee), Maxime Talbot (shoulder) and defenseman Ben Lovejoy (shoulder) are on injured reserve.
-For the Hurricanes, forward Erik Cole (leg) is out. Defenseman Joni Pitkanen (knee) is day-to-day. Forward Eric Staal (undisclosed) skipped practice yesterday. Both Staal and Jokinen (respiratory) are expected to play. Forward Michael Ryan (concussion) is on injured reserve.
-Hopefully you don't have Chris Kunitz on your fantasy team.
-A win tonight would give the Penguins' five consecutive road victories and would set a franchise record to begin a season.
-The Hurricanes are playing down the whole revenge angle.
-Redneck Hockey?
-Television Heads-Up: Don't forget tonight's game is on NHL
Network in the United States. If you are a Center Ice or Game Center
Live customer or you are located outside of the Pittsburgh or Raleigh
markets, please make sure you have NHL Network or make alternate plans
to watch it.
-Our live blog begins at approximately 7 p.m. Please tune in.
(Photo: Car-Photobucket)
Posted
Oct 14 2009, 02:00 AM
by
Seth Rorabaugh