In-Game Notes: Carolina Hurricanes vs Nashville Predators

 Hurricanes’ Allen scores winner in 4-3 victory over Predators

 

The Carolina Hurricanes managed to put together a gritty 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators at the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday night.One day after the NHL trade deadline had passed with the Hurricanes not...

In-Game notes, video, photos:

One day after the NHL Trade Deadline has come and gone, an inactive and active player in the sweepstakes meet as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Nashville Predators at the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday night.

The Hurricanes stood pat on Trade Deadline Day while the Predators made some significant moves as they picked up Andrei Kostitsyn from Montreal and Paul Gaustad from Buffalo.

Kostitsyn will be in the lineup at the RBC Center on Tuesday night, but Gaustad will not as a scratch.

Puck drops in 5 minutes.

1st period:

 

Opening faceoff - Carolina vs Nashville - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting LLC

• Bowman-Sutter-Nodl start for Carolins and get a good shift in
• Tlusty-Staal-Samson get another shift in as play moves back and forth
• Emergency call-up Zach Boychuk starts on a line with Jeff Skinner and Jussi Jokinen
• Just 2:42 in Nashville's Craig Smith scores on a goalmouth scramble after Matt Halischuk shoveled a pass through the crease in front of Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward
• Nashville leads 1-0 with 14:31 to play
• Predators outscoring Carolina 4-1 but the Hurricanes are making a surge
• Nashville goaltender Anders Lindback being kept busy by Tlusty-Staal-Samson who pepper him with shots to tie up both teams' shot attempts at 4-4 with 12 minutes to play
• Fourth line work by Derek Joslin-Tim Brent-Anthony Stewart work another shot on goal
• Predators' Jack Hillen takes a penalty at 10:44 and the Hurricanes have their first PP of the game
• Hurricanes try to work a pass to Justin Faulk on the PP - he's been dangerous on the off-wing lately there
• Hurricanes have had to regroup in gaining the zone a few times on the PP as Nashville has dumped the puck down the ice numerous times
• Carolina goes 0-1 on the PP so far tonight - Predators still lead 1-0 with 8:27 to go
• Shots tied at 6-6- for both teams as Nashville starts to establish some offensive pressure in the Carolina zone
• Big bodies on the Predators defense keeping the Hurricanes forwards busy
• Samson manages to tip a shot that Lindback has to be sure to contain for a faceoff to his right with 5:47 left in the period
• Boychuk getting some regular ice time and manages to get a shot on during his shift with Skinner and Jokinen

Boychuk-Skinner-Jokinen set up in neutral zone - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting

• Hurricanes now have outshot the Predators 9-7 but still trail 1-0 and trying to crack Lindback
• Ward is still being kept busy as he makes a save that deflects the puck into the stand with 3:21 remaining
• Next shift has Skinner letting a big shot on Lindback that gets turned away as Bowman-Sutter-Nodl come on to continue to apply the offensive pressure in the Nashville zone
• Just over minute to play as Tlusty-Staal-Samson force the Predators to ice the puck
• Faceoff to Lindback's left with 1:23 to go
• Predators clear the puck and head into the Carolina zone but Faulk is there to clear it up ice
• Nashville's David Legwand takes a high-sticking penalty on Faulk and the Hurricanes are on the PP at 19:00 - second opportunity for the Hurricanes this period
• Staal tries to feed Faulk but he fans on the shot
• McBain has two different attempts to beat the keeper but can't finish either - he passes it to Staal who bobbles it as the period ends
• At the end of the first period, Nashville still leads 1-0 but not to lack of effort on the Hurricanes' part as they outshoot the Predators 13-8

2nd period:

•  Hurricanes start the period on the PP still - try to set something up with Faulk at the point but the Predators clear it out
• Nashville takes another penalty and will extend Carolina's man-advantage to two men
• Colin Wilson takes a penalty and off the ensuing faceoff McBain tees one up but Lindback comes up with a big pad save
• With another set-up McBain lets another shot go but this time Lindback grabs the puck with his trapper
• Another line for the Hurricanes get a try on on the PP as Samson-Skinner-Brent have a go at it and get  a few shots on
• Nashville however did get an odd-man rush down but with no consequence to Carolina
• PP established again in the Nashville zone as Tlusty-Samson-Boychuk out there as the penalty expires
• Both teams at even-strength as Predators still lead 1-0 with 16:24 to go
• As play continues on from end to end, Hurricanes continue to pressure Nashville
• With the fourth line of Joslin-Brent-Stewart on, Stewart drops a pass to McBain who finally scores his 7th of the season on a shot from the point that finds space between Lindback's pads
• Tie game 1-1 with 13:43 remaining in the period
• Approaching the eight-minute mark, the Hurricanes continue to keep the pressure on the Predators' Lindback with another shot on goal as Carolina outshooting the Predators 8-0 in the period so far
• With under 10 minutes to play the score is still tied 1-1 and Nashville can't seem to establish any offensive rhythm to keep the puck in the Hurricanes zone
• After some grinding in the Hurricanes zone, Nashville's Jordin Tootoo and Colin Wilson turning the puck over behind the net
• As McBain turns to head up-ice, Wilson picks the puck away from him and gets a shot on Ward and is unchallenged on the rebound
• Wilson scores unassisted on the backhand shot that beats Ward over his left shoulder - Nashville leads 2-1 with 7:29 to play
• Penalty call on Nashvilles Andrei Kostitsyn puts Carolina on the PP again
• It takes Staal only a matter of seconds to connect on the man-advantage with assists going to Skinner and Jokinen - Staal cleans up on Skinner's wrap attempt that didn't quite make it through Lindback's pads
• Tie game 2-2 with 6:56 left in the period as Staal tallies his 19th goal of the season
• Some shaky defensive play as Jay Harrison fans on a clearing attempt near the Carolina blue line, but he manages to move it ahead
• Predators trying to take advantage of the few opportunities they have set up in the Carolina zone but to no avail as the Hurricanes turn the play up-ice

 

Second period action - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting LLC

• Samson breaks in-between Shea Weber and Ryan Suter to try to get an open look on Lindback before being hooked by Weber
• Hurricanes are on the PP once more and it doesn't take long as Time Brent from Skinner and Jokinen comes up with arms raised on the crease scramble that resulted in the puck entering the net
• Play is 'under review' - it is ruled a goal - Carolina leads 3-2 with 2:36 to go in the period
• After the ensuing faceoff, Nashville established puck control in the Carolina zone and get a few chances to tie it
• Hurricanes' Bryan Allen takes a slashing penalty with 39 seconds left in the period
• Nashville tries to score on their first PP of the game but can't as time winds down as the second intermission begins
• After two periods of play, Carolina now leads 3-2 and are outshooting Nashvile 26-13 for the game so far

3rd period:

• The Predators put on the pressure and manage to get two shots off on Ward during the remainder of their PP but can't convert on anything
• As Allen comes out of the box after serving his penalty, Eric Staal clears the puck out of the Carolina zone and both he and the puck meet at center ice
• Allen storms in on Lindback and scores his first goal of the season to put Carolina ahead 4-2at 1:28 into the period
• Nashville gets the puck back into the Hurricanes end and score once again on a scrambled play in front of Ward's crease as Gabriel Bourque got two cracks at putting the puck in the net less than a minute later at 2:18
• With a 4-3 lead, Carolina's Sutter has a two-on-one rush with Samson but they can't convert on the feed to each other on the crease - 15:40 to play in the period
• Nashville starting to take more direct shots at Ward as he has to be sharper on point shots coming at him while the defense is still allowing shots from the middle to low slot area - big save by Ward on a pinching Ryan Suter with 14:09 left 
• Suter gains the zone for Nashville and sets one up to Weber who unleashes his 100+ MPH shot that Ward gathers into his pads - Hurricanes still leading 4-3 with 13:27 to play
• Carolina coach Kirk Muller puts out the line of Joslin-Sutter-Stewart to take some physical pressure off his top lines and they get the job done for 45 seconds
• Muller continues to juggle lines as Tlusty-Staal_Nodl come out to take a shift
• Even with the regular line change Nashville is still managing to get shots on net and keeping Ward busy
• The Predators Patric Hornqvist takes his team's 25th shot of the game at Ward while lunging at him afterward
• Following the crease scuffle, play resumes and shortly after Nashville's Mike Fisher takes a hooking penalty to give the Hurricanes another PP at 8:50
• With the PP Stewart and Boychuk get some ice time with Tlusty and manage to get a shot on Lindback from the point
• Hurricanes don't score on that man-advantage but burn valuable minutes in the Nashville zone as they still lead 4-3 with under eight minutes to play in the period
• Carolina getting more aggressive on the forecheck but Nashville still getting the puck into the Hurricanes zone with shots on Ward from the point
• Carolina returns the favor as Sutter fires a high one towards Lindback at the other end
• Sergei Kostitsyn gains he zone and tries to stick handle through the defense before letting go a weak backhand shot on Ward - Hurricanes still leading 4-3 and outshooting Nashville 32-27 with 5:47 to play
• Nashville continuing to move the puck around better this period but can't manage to keep from icing the puck and getting resultant faceoffs in their end
• Carolina working hard to clear the puck down ice quickly and often with 4:21 remaining
• Hurricanes' defensive play in front of Ward is still shaky as stick checks narrowly break up potential game-tying set-ups by Nashville
•  Good old dump n' chase hockey is Carolina's style right now in holding onto the lead - 4-3 with 2;13 to play
• Puck in Nashville zone now as Staal-Tlusty-Nodl play chase
• Nashville gets a big point shot away on Ward as he has to make a big save to keep the lead at the 1:22 mark
• Predators with the extra skater on the ice as faceoff is deep in Carolina zone
• Hurricanes manage to clear it down once and after the following ensuing faceoff
• Lindback is back in the net as the faceoff moves to neutral ice and then he heads to the bench
• Carolina pressuring the puck as Staal feeds it to Brent in the neural zone - he misses the empty net
• Hurricanes holding on and win 4-3 - outshooting Nashville 33-29
• Carolina wins it 4-3 on Allen's breakaway goal

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In-Game Notes: Carolina Hurricanes vs Anaheim Ducks

Hurricanes earn point, lose 3-2 in SO to Ducks

 

The Carolina Hurricanes lost 3-2 to the Anaheim Ducks in a shootout at the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday.Jerome Samson and Jamie McBain tallied the Hurricanes’ only goals of the night while goaltender Justin...

In-Game notes, photos, video:

The Carolina Hurricanes host the Anaheim Ducks at the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday night.

The Hurricanes are coming off a solid 5-0 drubbing of the Washington Capitals on Monday night as goaltender Justin Peters earned his first-ever NHL shutout.

With Cam Ward still out, Peters starts his third game since last Friday as they take on the Ducks who are coming off a 3-2 loss to Tampa Bay.

Both teams are playing solid hockey as Carolina are 6-2-2 in their last ten games while Anaheim is 6-1-3.

Will be a good one.

1st period

 

First minute of play - Carolina vs Anaheim - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting LLC

• Both teams start out trying to establish their offenses
• A lot of puck movement from end to end with the puck getting turned over in the neutral zone
• Peters comes up with some big saves early on - standing tall in net again
• At the other end, Nodl gets a chance to score on Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller but can't finish i
• Goes hard into the boards as he's hit by Anaheim's Bobby Ryan at 5:19 - score still 0-0
• Hurricanes goes scoreless on their first PP
• Dwyer-Skinner-Jokinen get a big opportunity to put one past Hiller but are denied with just over 10 minutes to go in the period
• At the other end, Peters makes a big save of his own - 0-0 still with 9:55 remaining in the period
• Anaheim currently outshooting Carolina 5-3
•  Ducks' Ryan Getzlaf lets one go to the right of Peters that he gets his body in front of
• Eric Staal shoots the puck over the glass and is penalized for delay of game as Anaheim gets its first PP opportunity
• Carolina holding its own on the penalty kill and clear it down once
• The Hurricanes kill the penalty off as Staal is back on the ice
•  Samson-Staal-Tlusty break into the Anaheim zone - get a few passes together and Samson shovels a backhand in at 13:51 as Hiller can't stop it with traffic in and around his crease
• It doesn't take long for Anaheim to tie it as Luca Sbisa ties it up at 14:40 with a shot from the point
• Anaheim has picked up the pace buzzing around Peters in the Hurricanes zone 
• Ducks outshooting the Hurricanes 13-7 with 1:57 to go in the period - still tied 1-1
•  Line of Bowman-Sutter-Nodl get another chance as Bowamn tries a backhand attempt past Hiller as he skates through the crease
• Period ends with the score tied 1-1 with Anaheim outshooting Carolina 13-8

2nd period 

• Hurricanes establishing some puck control in the Anaheim end but Ducks defense applying the body with hard and heavy hits
• There's no doubt that the Ducks scouting report on the Hurricanes was to take more than 17 shots on Peters - they're already a 14 with 16:28 to go in the period - score still tied 1-1
• Samson jumps on the ice on a line change and gets a pass from Sutter in the slot - he's tripped up on the play Carolina goes on the PP at 4:20 into the period
• Stewart wins the faceoff and gets it to Spacek who passed it to McBain who lets a shot go and scores at 5:40
• Hurricanes riding the momentum of taking a 2-1 lead as they have outshot the Ducks 4-1 during the first eight minutes of play
• Play gets scrambled around Peters as Teemu Salanne misses a shot wide as Peters sprawls to save it and loses his stick
• Selanne gets another crack at it but the puck dribbles to Peters who covers it for the faceoff\
• Ducks' Jason Blake tries to wrap it around to Peters' left but he slides across the crease and gets a pad on it
• At the other end, Hiller makes a big save shoulder save on Bowman
• Sutter tries to tuck the puck past Hiller but the netminder gets his paddle in front of the puck with under eight minutes to go
• Ducks' Lubomir Visnovsky lets a canon of a shot go from the point and Peters snags it with his trapper
• Staal with the dangle and the handle around the skates - passes it to Tlusty in the low slot but he can't finish it
• McBain takes another shot from the point that Hiller makes a right pad save on and Stewart swipes at the rebound to no avail
• Sutter takes another opportunity to set Nodl up with a cross-ice pass but Hiller is there
• Hiller continues to stone the Hurricanes as he makes a save on Skinner and the while scrambling and turned backwards makes a stop on Bowman with under two minutes to play
• Peters makes a two zone pass to Jokinen who is also stopped by Hiller
• Anaheim now starting to put pressure on Peters during the final 90 seconds of play
• Hurricanes escape the period still leading 2-1 but will start the 3rd shorthanded as Brandon Sutter called for slashing at the horn
• Carolina made some ground up during the period - Ducks leading in shots on goal 23-21  

3rd period

• Hurricanes start the period on the penalty kill as Anaheim hovers around Peters
• For the full two minutes Anaheim can't get any quality shots off while Carolina kills it off
• In clearing the puck, the Hurricanes get called for delay of the game - on the penalty kill again
• Peters makes a save on a hard shot from the point
• With Corey Perry parked in front, the Hurricanes defense denies him any chance of scoring
• Peters stays sharp on a big shot in close from Blake
• Eric Staal is a one-man penalty killing machine as he takes a hard slap shot on Hiller
• Hurricanes line of Joslin-Brent-Stewart put in a good shift getting a few shots on Hiller
• Corey Perry goes the other way and takes a shot on Peters who gets in front of it
• Skinner lets a slap shot go from the tops of the circles in the high slot which Hiller manages to get  pad on 
• Anaheim leading in shots on 27-25 while Carolina maintains a 2-1 lead with 13:03 to play
• Jeff Skinner called for high sticking with 10:41 remaining to give Anaheim another chance to tie it
• Hurricanes pay for it as Corey Perry final gets one past Peters sitting on the crease and batting one in the air in the net - now 2-2 with 10:25 remaining
• Carolina brings it into the Anaheim zone as Samson works it in the corner and behind the net to Staal 
• Staal tries to bank it in of the Ducks' Sbisa but with no luck
• Anaheim turns it up for the next minute and a half and are taking advantage of shaky defensive play from the Hurricanes but Peters keeps them in it  facing 32 shots with 7:20 remaining in the period
• Anaheim continue to take shots form low percentage areas as the Carolina defense has difficulty getting possession of the puck to break out of the zone
• Samson called for delay of game as the puck flies over the boards - another PP chance for Anaheim
• Sutter gets a hold of the puck and dumps it down the ice
• Ducks working the puck around the Hurricanes zone but Carolina killing the penalty well with ight coverage and hustle to loose pucks
• Penalty successfully killed by the Hurricanes
• After Spacek dumped in the corner from behind Carolina gets the puck down into Anaheim zone and force a faceoff with just over three minutes to play
• Staal working on this own deep while his line makes a change - tried to get a shot on Hiller but swipes at his pads - Hiller dives, but no call  made
• Play going end-to-end with 92 seconds left to play - score tied 2-2
• Jokinen wins the faceoff but Carlina can't keep it in the zone
• As Carolina is breaking out, big collision away from the puck between Jokinen and Ryan gives them the chance to get a good shot on Hiller
• Hurricanes have a good sequence while the final minute of play winds down
• At the end of regulation - score is still tied 2-2

Overtime

• Anaheim establishes control in the Hurricanes zone as Corey Perry motions throughout while taking shots on Peters
• Hurricanes answer back as Sutter fees Nodl who tips it towards Hiller - big save made there
• Cogliano gets a shot on Peter as the other end - three minutes to play and the Ducks continue to pressure the Hurricanes in their own zone
• Peters continues to make the big saves to keep Carolina alive in this one 
• Nodl and Sutter once again get the best chances to beat Hiller with 1:11 to go
• A minute to go and both teams continue to play from one end to the other - Staal misses a big chance as the puck sails across the goal line
• The horn blows and we're going to a shootout tied 2-2

Shootout

Anaheim - Selanne - Peters saves the backhand attempt
Hurricanes - Skinner - Hiller stops the shot with the pads
Anaheim - Koivu - beats Peters on the deke to the right then left
Hurricanes - Staal - hits the post to Hiller's left
Anaheim - Perry - Peters makes left pad save
Hurricanes - Sutter - Hiller makes a blocker save

Anaheim wins 3-2

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In-Game Notes: Carolina Hurricanes vs Washington Capitals

Peters leads Hurricanes over Capitals with 5-0 shutout

 

Goaltender Justin Peters made 17 saves as the Carolina Hurricanes blanked the Washington Capitals 5-0 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C. on Monday night.In leading the Hurricanes in net, Peters was supported by an outpouring of...

In-Game notes, photos, and video:

After suffering a close 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders on Saturday the Hurricanes look to continue their winning ways at home against the Washington Capitals on Monday.

Carolina boasts a 10-3-1 record over their last 14 home games and play their next six games at the RBC Center

The storyline before the puck even drops is that goaltender Cam Ward is listed as day-to-day and provides the opportunity for back-up Justin Peters to get his second start in three games.

Peters earned a big win on Friday as the Hurricanes beat the San Jose Sharks 3-2, his first in over a year.

Besides Ward, Tuomo Ruutu and Chad LaRose are still out and listed as day-to-day giving Drayson Bowman and Jerome Samson more opportunities to show what they have to help the Hurricanes get through this challenging time of the season.

Goaltender Mike Murphy backs up Peters in net and gets the chance to watch the game live in Raleigh.

Puck drops in a few minutes.

1st period:

 

Opening Faceoff - Carolina vs Washington - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting 

• Hurricanes start with early pressure in Capitals zone but with no resulting shots as coach Kirk Muller starts a hybrid line in Pat Dwyer, Sjeff Skinner and Jussi Jokinen
• Derek Joslin is playing up on the wing as he rolls out with Anthony Stewart and Tim Brent
• Big save by Peters at the 16:40 mark on Mike Knuble
• Hurricanes get first chance on the power play at 16:31 after Vokoun makes a big save on Skinner
• Carolina takes no time as Vokoun makes a save on Brent's shot from the point, but Jusitn Faulk is their to put it away at 16:19 - Hurricanes lead 1-0
• Hurricanes geta another big chance on Vokoun as Tlusty, Samson, and Staal are  together
• Tlusty intercepts the puck and on a line change Stewart joins the rush and Staal feeds him as he connects and beats Vokoun at 14:51
• Caps coach Dale Hunter has had enough and pulls Vokoun as Michal Neuvirth comes in to replace him
• It doesn't take long for Drayson Bowman to test Neuvirth as Carolina outshooting Washington 8-2 during the first seven minutes of play
•  Still 2-0 at the 10-minute mark of the period and Jay Harrison just let go of a shot the Neuvirth had to snag 
• Hurricanes outshooting Capitals 12-2 at this point and are riding a huge wave of momentum as Washington can't get much going yet
• Capitals are getting some chances on Peters but nothing that he can't handle as Hurricanes defense keeps the puck moving along the boards
• Tlusty-Staal-Samson line continuing to open up ice in the Washington zone and keeping Neuvirth busy
• Capitals go the other way and get a rare shot on Peters - Hurricanes lead in shots on net 14-3 with 5:47 to go in the period
• Staal gains the Caps zone and Neuvirth makes a big save
• At the other end Troy Brouwer gets stonewalled by Peters and looks behind but Jason Chimera cannot finish it as he lands in the net - no goal at 3:18
•  Hurricanes continue to outwork Washington as defense is moving the puck on the breakout as smoothly as they have in a while
• Hurricanes transition well onto the rush after Capitals can't generate a shot on Peters with 1:38 left
• Peters not afraid to get a stick on the puck to move it along on the rush
• Washington with a faceoff to Peters' right with under a minute to go
• Hurricanes defense marking well and keeping close to the Caps
• Transition onto offense with Brandon Sutter leading the rush with Drayson Bowman and Andreas Nodl who gets a cross ice pass in the high slot to make it 3-0 with 30 seconds to go to put Carolina ahead 3-0
• As the first period ends the Capitals are faced with a three-goal deficit and being outshot 16-5

2nd period:

• Dwyer-Skinner_Jokinen start the period again and apply the same forechecking pressure that they started the game with
• McBain lets a a hard shot go from the point that Neuvirth gets his body in front of
• Capitals still trying valiantly to generate some type of offense to establish time and space in the Carolina zone
• Peters makes the stop as Brooks Laich storms past Stewart and McBain 
• Washington is picking up the pace and gaining the zone in transition a bit more than they did during the first period
• Hurricanes still lead 3-0 with 15:03 to go in the period
• Muller continues to roll all four lines when he can as Stewart-Brent-Joslin are out on the ice 
• Joslin gets called for elbowing and he Hurricanes are on their first penalty kill of the game
• As the Capitals get their first PP of the game the Hurricanes' Eric Staal picks up he loose puck in the neutral zone and  scores at 14:04
• You can tell Washington is frustrated as Joslin has to be ready as Matt Hendricks challenges him to go toe-to-toe
• The Hurricane obliges to the delight of the crowd on hand
• Tlusty picks Karl Alzner's pocket and misses a chance to extend the lead as Neuvirth makes the save
• The hits are getting harder and louder as both teams are playing a much more physical period than the first
•  Caps' Brouwer tries the same power move to Peters' right but can't put anything past him on the short side
• Brouwer swipes at Tlusty as a crowd gathers in the crease after the whistle

• As Joslin and Hendricks come out of the penalty box they square off at center ice and go back in for another 5 minute breather

 

 

Hurricanes' Derek Joslin vs Capitals' Matt Hendricks - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting

• Crowd is fully in this one after that bout as they continue to smother Capitals in their end and keep Neuvirth busy
• Hurricanes leading 4-0 and outshooting Capitals 22-8 for the game - 8:40 remaining in the period
• Peters makes a big save on Alex Ovechkin as he lets a shot go from the high slot
• Skinner draws a penalty parked on the crease as the Hurricanes get the chance to add the extra skater but Neuvirth covers it up
• Carolina on the PP with 6:02 remaining
• Hurricanes can't generate enough puck control to set up in the Capitals zone and Jeff Halpern tries to jam a shot past Peters on the shorthand attempt
• Troy Brouwer and Justin Faulk square off and the rookie holds his own
• Hurricanes continue to keep pressuring Neuvirth at the other end after the fight - 2:20 to go
• With just over a minute to play Alexander Semin winds up but fans on it as both Bryan Allen and Peters are ready for it
• The period ends with the Hurricanes on the PP and still leading 4-0 and outshooting the Capitals 28-11

3rd period:

• Hurricanes start the period with Tlusty-Staal-Samson on the PP
• Washington successfully kills of the penalty and now both teams trying to set up their offense according as play moves from end-to-end
• Another turnover in the Caps end and Neuvirth makes another stop to keep the score at 4-0 with 16:58 to go
• Tlusty-Staal-Sasmson causing havoc in Capitals end
• A bad clearing attempt is kept in by Jaroslav Spacek who finds Staal sitting by the crease to Neuvirth's left and he one-times it for his second goal of the game to give Carolina a 5-0 with 14:09 remaining in the period
• Tim Brent takes a penalty for hooking with 12:21 remaining- faceoff to Peters' left
• Off the faceoff Mike Green lets a wrist shot go on Peters who turns it away - Green looks away in frustration
• Hurricanes clear it and as Washington tries to come back up ice Harrison send it down
• Capitals come back but then get the puck into the neutral zone where Dwyer taps it in for Skinner to try a shorthanded attempt on Neuvirth who subsequently makes the save
• Hurricanes successfully kill of the penalty
• Capitals take another penalty as Mathieu Perreault trips Drayson Bowman by the Hurricanes bench
• Early in the Hurricanes PP possession Washington manages to clear the puck down-ice a few times
• Carolina finally gets some puck movement and puts Neuvirth to work who is working overtime in stopping shots
• Hurricanes set-up once more with the extra attacker but Washington kills off the penalty succesfully
• With under five minutes to play Carolina holding onto the 5-0 lead and playing sound zone coverage on the defense while not quitting on the forecheck
• Skinner picks it up from Semin behind the Caps net and feeds it to Jokinen who takes a shot on Neuvirth who makes another big save
• Hurricanes now outshooting the Capitals 40-15 for the game with 2:24 left in the period
• With less than a minute to play Peters makes a big save
• That's it - Hurricanes win 5-0 and Peters gets the shutout

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In-Game Notes: Carolina Hurricanes vs San Jose Sharks

 Hurricanes keep Sharks in the tank with 3-2 win

 

Coach Kirk Muller used some creativity in utilizing his lineup as the Carolina Hurricanes beat the visiting San Jose Sharks 3-2 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C. on Friday night.With forwards Tuomo Ruutu and Chad LaRose...

In-Game notes, photos, and video:

The Carolina Hurricanes return to play at the RBC Center, soon to become the PNC Cetner, as they host the visiting San Jose Sharks.

Carolina is 3-0-2 during its last five games and coming home after a three-game road trip.

 

Opening Faceoff 

1st period

• Canes get the puck in the Sharks end early and apply pressure on goaltender Thomas Greiss as Jerome Samson attempts a wraparound
• Hurricanes continue to maintain control after the Sharks get a rush down in to the Carolina end for a shot on Justin Peters
• 0-0 after four minutes of play
• Jeff Skinner gets a great shot off but a quick pad save by Greiss keeps the game scoreless
• Both teams with two shots apiece with 13:02 to go
• Skinner scores the first goal of the game, his 16th of the season, as he dumps it into the crease and banks it off a Sharks defenseman and past Greiss
• Hurricanes lead 1-0 at 7:31
• On their first power play of the game, Justin Faulk connects on a beautiful set-up pass across the slot from Jiri Tlusty and set up by Eric Staal at the point
• With 7:50 to go, Sharks putting pressure on Peters as he comes up big in keeping the score at 2-0
• Hurricanes get a second power play opportunity with just over five minutes remaining in the period
• Brent quarterbacking the power play wih Staal to his right and Faulk to his left - Tlusty and Samson down low
• Get one opportunity but San Jose manages to get it out and down the ice
• Sharks get a 2-on-1 opportunity as Patrick Marleau saucers a pass to Joe Pavelski but peters is there to make a big save
• Hurricanes outshooting Sharks 7-6 with 2:27 remaining -are 1-2 on the power play so far
• Carolina playing a tight defensive game in their zone as forwards are back checking to break the play up
• The Hurricanes carry the two-goal lead into the intermission
• Carolina is 12-5-5 when leading after one period

2nd period

• Pat Dwyer, Brandon Sutter, Andreas Nodl start the the second period strong, similar to the first
• Get a great opportunity on Greiss as Nodl slides one along the goal line, but the Sharks keeper stop it as well as Sutter's rebound attempt
•  Hurricanes' forechecking and puck movement continuing to flow well
• San Jose starting to establish a presence in the Carolina zone winning faceoffs and peppering Peters with shots that he grabs hold of
• Sharks now outshooting Hurricanes 13-10 and still trailing 2-0 with 13:10 to go in the period
• Hurricanes rolling all four lines including that of Anthony Stewart, Tim Brent, and Derek Joslin
• Even though he's a defenseman, Joslin is playing the win due to Chad LaRose being injured - he's earned the chance to play according to coach Kirk Muller - even if it's not on defense
• Sharks still trying to force the puck from the Hurricanes, but Carolina continues to put pressure onGreiss
• Tlusty-Staal-Samson line is playing exceptionally well
• Both teams trading scoring opportunities with both goalies staying busy - shots tied at 16-16 with 3:41 to go and Hurricanes still leading 2-0
• Dwyer-Sutter-Nodl pressing again with 2:39 to go and keeping Greiss and the Sharks defense busy
• Logan Couture gets a good pass up the wing from Tommy Wingels and takes a shot on Peters who turns away yet another shot
• Hurricanes penalized for tripping as Samson gets the gate
• Just under two minutes and the Sharks are on the power play - one of the best in the league
• Hurricanes playing exceptionally well on the penalty kill as Tlusty kills some time and is followed up by a solid combination of checks and shots from Eric Staal and Jussi Jokinen to kill more time off the penalty
• Period ends with Hurricanes still leading 2-0 as both teams have 19 shots each - still five seconds to kill on the penalty

3rd period

• Period starts the same as the previous two as Dwyer, Sutter, and Nodl get the puck into the San Jose zone
• On ensuing possession in the Hurricanes' zone, Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle gets some time to get a shot on net and beats Peters low, to the stick-side with traffic in front
• Hurricanes lead 2-1 with 18:34 remaining
• Carolina is not out of the woods yet as the Sharks continue to dominate play and control the puck
• The Sharks' hard work pays off as Brent Burns puts a one-time past Peters at 3:52 into the period and ties the game 2-2
• San Jose taking advantage of numerous Carolina turnovers as Peters comes up big on a shot from Dominic Moore 
• Hurricanes working to generate opportunities but allowing the Sharks opportunity to break out of the zone much more easily than during the previous two periods
• With 10 minutes to go Hurricanes are mixing it up as Joslin lands a big hit during a rare shift
• Carolina's Jaroslav Spacek dumps the puck in and Drayson Bowman corrals it behind the net - passes it to Jamie McBain at the point
• McBain slaps it towards the net and Jokinen gets a touch on it and deflects it past Greiss to put Carolina ahead 3-2 with 8:05 remaining
• Hurricanes still scrapping to maintain puck possession and keeping the Sharks moving
• Peters coming up with some big saves to maintain the one-goal lead with 3:38 remaining 
• With sold out crowd cheering them on, Carolina hanging onto its 3-2 lead as the two-minute mark approaches 
• Peters makes two big save as the Sharks have place the extra attacker on the ice by pulling Greiss - 1:28 to go
• Sharks' Patrick Marleau with an open net to tie the game, but Peters stretches across the crease to make the save with the help of defenseman Bryan Allen
•  San Jose continues to apply pressure while Hurricanes clear it one more time
• 35 seconds to go as Carolina called for icing
• Peters comes up with another big save on a tip-in attempt by Couture
• San Jose mishandles it and it gets out of th zone
• Joe Thornton misses on an open net
• Time runs out as Carolina wins 3-2 

 

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NHL Trade Deadline: Neighborhood garage sales getting prepped

Tuomo Ruutu - For sale or not? - Chris Baird, Baird Photography

It seems as if the tide in the NHL waters that were once swirling and flowing furiously a week ago are now ebbing a little.

Carolina dealing?

Speculation surrounding the status of Carolina Hurricanes forward Tuomo Ruutu continues to fuel rumors of a deal being struck for the Finnish forward, but a recent injury incurred during a  5-3 Hurricanes win over the Canadiens on Monday, might have cooled the fire a little.

President and GM Jim Rutherford has indicated that attempts to re-sign the gritty forward have been ongoing, so a move may not even happen.

As the trade talk continues in Raleigh and around the league, including in Columbus, Ohio, as speculation has generated around the availability of forward Rick Nash, the hype keeps everyone constantly rummaging and looking for something to happen.

Seeking to find a treasure

Keep in mind that this time of the season is more like a Spring cleaning exercise for many teams - contenders and not.

They're checking the cupboards and the pantry and looking in the oft-forgotten basement and attic areas - wanting to get rid of contracts with a lot of dust on them or willing to put a few assets out there in 'garage sale' fashion for all league suitors to take note of before and on Feb. 27.

In a tight NHL economy and one that may get complicated with upcoming CBA talks, conservatism will take hold over many organizations while others will finally decide to put out their most cherished baubles to see what the market will pay for them.

NHL flea market

Envision walking down a street in your neighborhood with Eastern Conference homes on your right and Western Conference homes on your left.

All properties will be sporting their logos proudly and brightly, or at least the ones that want to catch some attention.

On the other hand, you will have some that have the doors and windows closed and the shutters drawn - they don't want to come out of the house to mingle with anyone - their work is done and they don't feel like being a part of it - until later of course.

Let's make a deal

Expect to hear music and see a buffet of food and drink at those houses seeking to catch excessive attention and with a tremendous amount of 'stuff' on the driveway and lawn to peer at.

Don't be surprised to even find the crew from TSN parked close to those locations as there is no better way to build excitement for something that may eventually not be that exciting than to get a lot of people talking about it - call it the 'neighborhood rumor mill live'.

Such homes will definitely attract the most curious onlookers who will start rooting through boxes and bags looking for a 'gem' or two.

Will they find it?

Maybe.

A new holiday perhaps

It seems however that it is more the thrill of the chase than the actual find that gets everyone hyped for trade deadline shopping.

What a great idea to stimulate the economy: NHL Trade Deadline Day - a new national day of celebration and cause to socialize - one held in the same vein as Black Friday and Boxing Day.

Deals await those ready and willing to spend while hopes and dreams linger on for those who aren't or can't.

Happy shopping, talking and gawking.

Recent Carolina Hurricanes news on Examiner.com:

Staal shows up in Carolina’s 5-3 win over Montreal

 

The Carolina Hurricanes finished their recent road trip with an impressive 5-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec on Monday night.As many  heralded the win as coach Kirk Muller’s...

 

Avalanche bury Hurricanes 4-3 in OT

 

The Carolina Hurricanes fell short during their second overtime game in a row as they lost 4-3 to the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. on Friday night.Though earning another point during a hard fought...

 

Hurricanes suffer 3-2 OT loss to Ducks

 

The Carolina Hurricanes couldn’t hold on to the lead against the host Anaheim Ducks and could only take away a point during a 3-2 overtime loss at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. on Wednesday night.Tuomo...

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So you want to be an NHL GM at the trade deadline

What a powerful medium the internet provides.

What better source to make informed decisions about someone else's business and livelihood, particularly if you may be supporting it in some direct and/or indirect way.

The advent of sites like CapGeek.com and the preponderance of Fantasy Leagues in all major sports, including professional hockey, puts many fans and followers in a position to have an opinion on NHL franchise management and fiscal planning.

Such empowerment allows these individuals to take on the unpaid and unsolicited duty and responsibility to influence how best a team could become successful in making the playoffs, and to even win the Stanley Cup.

This is all hypothetical of course, but using real numbers that those in actual paid positions have reference to, the involvement of such 'wannabes' helps to create more interest in a team, the league, and the sport even more than would happen otherwise.

Many of these 'virtual NHL GM's' will state their cases on their personal blogs, twitter feeds and web sites in order to get the discussion started and to fuel the discussion with probably more information and thought than is really needed or used in the actual 'real world' business side of the NHL.

Many a GM and/or executives in the front office must get a few chuckles from some of them, and even some great ideas from others - who knows.

Call it playing the NHL GM Simulator game.

Game on.

Hurricanes payroll numbers are on the mark

It seems that the future looks brighter for the Carolina Hurricanes these days coming off a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night, .However, the Hurricanes’ current record (20-25-9) doesn’t convince...

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CHN In-Game Notes: Los Angeles Kings vs Carolina Hurricanes

Skinner scores winner in Hurricanes 2-1 win over Kings

 

The Carolina Hurricanes came back to defeat the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 in front of a crowd of 18,680 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C. on Saturday night.Jiri Tlusty and Jeff Skinner provided the offense...

 

 

Cam Ward - Elsa, Getty Images

The Los Angeles Kings will play the Carolina Hurricanes for the first time since the Kings beat the Hurricanes 4-3 at Staples Center on Oct. 20, 2010.

Five of the last six games in the series between Los Angeles and Carolina have been decided by one goal and Saturday's match-up at the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C. should offer much of the same.

The Hurricanes are averaging 2.5 goals/game and allowing 3 goals against/game while the Kings are averaging 2.1 goals/game and allowing 2.1 goals against/game.

It will not be surprising if this one heads to overtime and/or a shootout.

The Hurricanes are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games at the RBC Center and are 7-for-25 (28.0%) on the power play and have killed 24 of the 28 during that span.

Both teams' goaltenders are hot right now as Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick has allowed just eight goals in his last five starts while Ward has recorded two shutouts in his last five games.

For Carolina, Eric Staal has scored in two straight games (1g, 1a) including the game winner in a 3-0 shutout win over the Boston Bruins.

Staal has tallied 18 points (5g, 13a) over his last 15 games and leads the team in points (38) and assists (26), and is tied for third on the team in goals (12).

For the Kings, Anze Kopitar has 16 points in the last 20 games (5 g, 11a) and 11 (5g, 6a) points in the last 14 games.

Latest Carolina Hurricanes news from Examiner.com:

Hurricanes sweep series over Bruins with 3-0 win

The Carolina Hurricanes shut out the Boston Bruins with a 3-0 performance against the defending Stanley Cup champions at TD Garden in Boston, Mass. on Thursday night.Cam Ward recorded his third shutout of the season, his second in...

Hurricanes chase Islanders in 5-2 loss at home

The Carolina Hurricanes couldn’t catch up and suffered a 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders at the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday night.After taking a well-deserved rest during the recent NHL...

In-Game notes:

1st period

• The Kings don't start hot goaltender Jonathan Quick, but the other Jonathan, Bernier that is
• Hurricanes start Jussi Jokinen, Brandon Sutter, and Andreas Nodl - not usual starting line
• Los Angeles doesn't look worse for the wear getting two good rushes into the Hurricanes' end
• Kings continue to apply pressure and test Ward early with two shots on in just under two minutes of play - he's used to that it seems
• Anthony Stewart gains the zone and saucers a pass to Tim Brent but he's taken down by LA's Matt Greene - first PP opportunity for the Hurricanes
• Kings are keeping more control of the puck on the PK than the Hurricanes getting any offense going on the PP
• Anthony Stewart takes a cross-checking penalty and the Hurricanes pay the price for it as the Kings score on the PP to put LA ahead 1-0 at 4:58 
• LA continues to control the puck in the Hurricanes' zone and keeping Ward busy
• Looks like Carolina is keeping line changes quick and rolling all four lines so far
• Carolina finally gets control and try to establish control in the LA zone, but the Kings defense plays them tough and play heads the other way
• Kings outshooting Hurricanes 6-1 halfway through the period
• Hurricanes get play down to LA zone as Pat Dwyer, Sutter and Nodl put pressure on the Kings 
• Hurricanes get another shot on the PP as LA's Trevor Lewis gets a penalty for hooking at 13:31
• Hurricanes' Tuomo Ruutu got the best shot on Bernier, but the PP goes 0-2
• Kings still leading 1-0 with 4;17 remaining
• Sutter line is the one that generates the best chance with Bryan Allen getting a wide open shot on Bernier - the tender makes the save
• LA does not go away as they continue to hover around Ward and his crease as he makes another big stop
• Little entertainment with 1:26 left as Tim Gleason and Kyle Clifford drop the gloves - Gleason gets the first good shot in and the winning toss 
• Kings carry the 1-0 lead into the intermission - leading 8-4 in shots on goal as well

2nd period

• Hurricanes get a shot on Bernier early within the first minute of play
• Jay Harrison takes a tripping penalty at 1:39 in and the Kings have a PP with face off to the right of Cam Ward
• Carolina does a nice job of killing the penalty as well as getting a few shots on net with Jiri Tlusty getting a great shot off the wing that Bernier deflects away
• Ward comes up with a big save at the six-minute mark on as Kopitar gets a stick on the rebound shot that originated from the point 
• Kings' defense effectively standing Hurricanes up at the blue line - playing good gap defense 
• Line of Jokinen, Jeff Skinner and Drayson Bowman turning the heat up on Bernier
• Skinner lets a blistering slap shot go that the Kings' goaltender has to put everything in front of to stop from going in
• Brad Richardson takes a holding penalty at 8:54 - Carolina on the PP again 
• Carolina's first sequence is effective and generates some opportunities as Kings look a little slow on the PK compared to the first period
•  Hurricanes go scoreless on the PP but are closing the gap on shots on goal with 11 so far while the Kings have increased their total to 13
• LA's defense is just as effective on the offense with Drew Doughty hammering a shot that Ward snags with his catcher
• Both teams trade shots on as play goest from end to end
• Kings defenseman Alec Martinez turns it over to Jiri Tlusty who beats him down the wing and snaps a shot past Bernier to tie the game 1-1 at the 4:20 mark. 
• Nodl takes advantage of another turnover by a Kings defenseman, this time Matt Greene, but Bernier makes the save on his wide open chance on him - still 1-1
• LA getting some good shots on goal as the period is winding down as Jack Johnson gets a wide-open look that is deflected into the netting
• At the end of the period, the score is tied 1-1 -  Kings lead in overall SOG -18-15

 3rd period 

• Both teams start the period with non-stop play back and forth with few stops in the play for the first few minutes
• As the Hurricanes gain possession in the Kings' end, Jeff Skinner scores at 3:02 on a rebound from a Jussi Jokinen shot that was set up by Drayson Bowman
• With Skinner's go-ahead goal Carolina has established offensive control of the game outshooting LA 5-0 in the first 6:30 of play
• Crowd of 18,680 fully into the game cheering Lets' go 'Canes!
• Hurricanes applying tight forechecking deep in the LA zone
• As the play transitions down into the Carolina zone, the Kings execute a long sequence with Ward denying Clifford a wide open look 
• Another huge save on Kings' Trevor Lewis as Ward stands his ground and smothers the puck 
• Hurricanes still leading 2-1 w/ 8:04 remaining 
• Carolina continues to apply tight forechecking pressure deep in the LA zone and close checking in their own defensive end 
• Jeff Skinner gets a great chance on Bernier and is drilled into the boards afterwards - no call to the disagreement of the crowd
• LA starting to put even more pressure on the Hurricanes but Ward and he defense hold thier ground
• With under two minutes, Hurricanes still lead 2-1
• LA pulls Bernier and have the extra attacker deep in the Hurricanes zone
• Ward comes up with a big save with traffic in front of him
• Faceoff with 10 seconds left in the LA end
• Hurricanes keep the pressure on and hold the Kings at bay winning 2-1 

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