Matt Karash: Canes Game #7: Solid comeback and point against the champs!

First?

First?
- Ogilthorpe2

Its not enough that you do this on our board. Now you have to come here and do it?

First?
- Ogilthorpe2

First wins the right to send me some Gino's pizza?

Every time Canes play Hawks, I start craving that and some random downtown street vendor hot dogs.

Couldn't watch the game tonight, but I see that Murphy had 25 min TOI? And only two of it was on the PP? How the hell did that happen?

I'm starting to really like Murphy's game. He possesses a unique skill set, tremendous potential and as he gains more experience he's going to become a huge assets for this blue line. I think we've got a keeper here.

Matt, what are your thoughts on bringing up Malhotra maybe after this road trip? Apparently he's been dominate in the face off circle down at Charlotte.

Couldn't watch the game tonight, but I see that Murphy had 25 min TOI? And only two of it was on the PP? How the hell did that happen?
- tartanblue

He is getting more comfortable. As someone who thought Murphy was a couple years away from being NHL ready after his short stint where he struggled last season, I have been flat out impressed by him.

He did get beat 1-on-1 in open ice again for a straight path to the net and had a situational awareness oops losing the puck in a bad place with about 15 seconds left in the 2nd period versus moving the puck to the neutral zone and letting the clock run out. Like any 20-year old make the jump straight the NHL from juniors there are parts of his game that need to improve.

But the positives are absolutely huge so far. As I pointed out in my blog, what is most striking to me is how seamlessly he transitioned his skating and puck-moving game to a much higher level. Even players with this skill usually hit a hiccup when teams dial up the pressure to see if they can force bad decisions under pressure and speed. But via some combination of his ability to skate out of some problems and his ability to see the ice well and make good decisions with the puck, his game seemingly took no step down during the transition. The number of mistakes, especially big mistakes, that he is making moving the puck is incredibly small - not "rookie doing reasonably well adjusting small" but rather "good puck-moving NHL defenseman caliber" small.

Things are going to be a bit more challenging on the road where Muller cannot pick spots, but as evidenced by his 25 minutes of ice time last night, it was not at all like Muller was hiding him against a very good Hawks team and he looked pretty darn good.

I'm starting to really like Murphy's game. He possesses a unique skill set, tremendous potential and as he gains more experience he's going to become a huge assets for this blue line. I think we've got a keeper here.

Matt, what are your thoughts on bringing up Malhotra maybe after this road trip? Apparently he's been dominate in the face off circle down at Charlotte.
- Gossler1

I love that signing and the potential depth it offers the team at center and would not be surprised if he sees NHL ice some time this season. I have not seen him play and have only read a few things in passing, but my check point is whether he is up to or can get up NHL speed after playing very few hockey games for a few years now and especially being a not ancient but not young either 33.

If he can regain his form from a few years back, he is an elite faceoff man, a very good penalty killer and a solid defensive 4th-line center. I am not sure the Canes are in huge need for any of these things right now. Riley Nash is playing decent hockey and seems to be making progress on faceoffs. And though his minutes are limited, Brett Sutter continues to play decent hockey with an edge every shift he gets. Strangely the Canes problems at forward right now are more at the top half of the roster and are more scoring-related which is not where Malhotra fits.

Shorter version: He provides great depth at the center position, but I am not sure the Canes need it just yet.

I was at the game last night and liked most of what I saw of Murphy but the kid is reckless in the offensive zone. I counted six times when I saw him down below the goal line. One of those times was with three minutes left in the third period. The Hawks got the puck to Kane who got off a nice shot on Ward. Dvorak was the only guy back on the breakaway while Murphy was chasing the play. I don't mind taking occasional chances but teams watching film are going to pick up on this and exploit it.

I was at the game last night and liked most of what I saw of Murphy but the kid is reckless in the offensive zone. I counted six times when I saw him down below the goal line. One of those times was with three minutes left in the third period. The Hawks got the puck to Kane who got off a nice shot on Ward. Dvorak was the only guy back on the breakaway while Murphy was chasing the play. I don't mind taking occasional chances but teams watching film are going to pick up on this and exploit it.
- Barbecued Hockey

Are you saying he has a little bit too much Pitkanen in him at times?

Disagree with Murphy was behind the icing line and thats a bad thing. Its the type of player that he is. that is why forwards like Dvorak get back to the blue line to help out. Was it the best possible out come for the team no but Murphy's game is high risk high reward as with most offensive defensemen. They pinch when maybe when they shouldn't. But that is why it is always important for this team to have a high forward so that if Murphy or Faulk or anyone else pinch and don't come up with the puck we are not completely screwed. Murphy needs to play his game that is what will make him a great player not siting back. As far as Murphy getting side stepped I'm pretty sure the blackhawks did the same thing to Zdeno Chara who is one of the best defensemen in the game. Murphy needs the puck on his stick and make magic patience and being conservative will only turn him into a mediocre player not worthy of the 12th overall pick in 2011.

Disagree with Murphy was behind the icing line and thats a bad thing. Its the type of player that he is. that is why forwards like Dvorak get back to the blue line to help out. Was it the best possible out come for the team no but Murphy's game is high risk high reward as with most offensive defensemen. They pinch when maybe when they shouldn't. But that is why it is always important for this team to have a high forward so that if Murphy or Faulk or anyone else pinch and don't come up with the puck we are not completely screwed. Murphy needs to play his game that is what will make him a great player not siting back. As far as Murphy getting side stepped I'm pretty sure the blackhawks did the same thing to Zdeno Chara who is one of the best defensemen in the game. Murphy needs the puck on his stick and make magic patience and being conservative will only turn him into a mediocre player not worthy of the 12th overall pick in 2011.
- caniac44

With three minutes left in a tie game with Toews and Kane on the ice is not smart decision making. I'm not arguing about Murphy's talent. He just needs to play smarter.

Its not enough that you do this on our board. Now you have to come here and do it?
- DarthKane

Kid like to play


What is he 29 in grade 7

I was at the game last night and liked most of what I saw of Murphy but the kid is reckless in the offensive zone. I counted six times when I saw him down below the goal line. One of those times was with three minutes left in the third period. The Hawks got the puck to Kane who got off a nice shot on Ward. Dvorak was the only guy back on the breakaway while Murphy was chasing the play. I don't mind taking occasional chances but teams watching film are going to pick up on this and exploit it.
- Barbecued Hockey

You mean he looked like Bobby Orr

That can't be that bad

Let the kid do what he does best, I noticed it too and I also noticed he was back in a flash getting back to his D position. Turn him loose.

Couldn't watch the game tonight, but I see that Murphy had 25 min TOI? And only two of it was on the PP? How the hell did that happen?
- tartanblue

Ryan Murphy has played a total of 11 NHL games last season included ,and sure he makes a few mistakes here and there ,but would you rather have McBain/Sangs or Corvo back? Meh I think not ,and by the last half of the season Murphy will have played the eastern conference teams 2-3 times ,and the more he play's the better he will get. Murphy's puck moving and elusive skating is making even the most veteran teams take notice ,and some times even when they try to stop him he just gives them a deek hits another gear ,and skates the puck in the O-zone almost at will ,so I'll go out on a limb here ,and say in the next 2-3 years ,maybe sooner Murphy will be among the elite puck moving Dmen ,If Brian Campbell has made a career of being not ,so big ,but effective Ryan Murphy will be a perennial all-Star ,and this season before long he will have a "Holy poope did you see that" play regularly ,so stay tuned.

Are you saying he has a little bit too much Pitkanen in him at times?
- CarolinaMatt63

At this stage he's beyond Pitkanen. Ozolinsh is more the name that comes to mind.

With three minutes left in a tie game with Toews and Kane on the ice is not smart decision making. I'm not arguing about Murphy's talent. He just needs to play smarter.
- Barbecued Hockey

Agreed...on that play he either needed to just do a soft dump in, or carry the puck deep and give his teammates time to change.

But when a dman on a rush misses the net with that hard of a shot from that angle while his teammates are changing...it normally leads to a breakaway or odd man rush... give him time he will learn that it was just not a smart hockey play.

He was very lucky to have Dvorak covering him!

Murphy does have a ton of talent...it is just going to take time for him to gain experience, & get stronger.

At this stage he's beyond Pitkanen. Ozolinsh is more the name that comes to mind.
- Barbecued Hockey

Ouch