Matt Karash: Game #28: Peters again! Canes win easy! That was fun!

Good assessment, Matt.

This is the kind of game that the Canes need to play night in/night out. It has been difficult for them to string together these types of efforts. Hopefully we see it again on Thursday.

Great game last night. Hope it carries over into Nashville which has been traditionally unkind to the Canes. The team needs to string a few wins together.

The whole trust factor issue with Peters seems to have had a reverse positive impact in his last few starts. For a while, it seemed like the rest of the team didn't really trust him to make the big save. In turn, they started playing much better defensively, boxing out and clearing pucks from in front of the net. When Cam came back, they got away from that. Last night, they were back to playing that sound defensive game again. That combined with Peters' solid play makes for a good result.

So.. who do you start in Music city? Peters or Ward?

Malhotra/Dvorak/Not Westgarth is a real good line. I like it better than the 3rd.

So.. who do you start in Music city? Peters or Ward?
- SouthSide

I say Peters.... And if he wins start him Friday night too....

If it ain't broke don't fix it

So.. who do you start in Music city? Peters or Ward?
- SouthSide

Ward. He seems to play better the more work he gets. As much as I welcome Peters strong play the Canes need Cam to find his stride through plenty of work. I don't have enough confidence in Peters to keep this level of performance going.

So.. who do you start in Music city? Peters or Ward?
- SouthSide

Ward. Then start Peters Friday against the Sharks. Last time San Jose came to Raleigh, Justin got a nice 35 save win against them.

Malhotra/Dvorak/Not Westgarth is a real good line. I like it better than the 3rd.
- notwalnc

Khudobin if he is available; I know he is on the trip. He needs to get some starts under his belt before Semin comes back and JR needs to make a choice about who stays and who goes. Plus, if he does well in those starts, his value goes up.

Khudobin if he is available; I know he is on the trip. He needs to get some starts under his belt before Semin comes back and JR needs to make a choice about who stays and who goes. Plus, if he does well in those starts, his value goes up.
- MinJaBen

Ideally, he needs to go to Charlotte for a conditioning stint.

Malhotra/Dvorak/Not Westgarth is a real good line. I like it better than the 3rd.
- notwalnc

Westy has not earned his keep this season at all ,so I hope he gets on a recliner line in the press box here on out.

Ideally, he needs to go to Charlotte for a conditioning stint.
- ward30nhl

Agree and the Checkers need a Goalie instead of a cut out for a few games as well.

A Khudobin rehab assignment definitely wouldn't be a bad thing. Not sure of the AHL roster rules. Would someone in Charlotte need to be cut for this to happen?

does a rehab assignment to CLT require them to clear waivers?

I am torn on who to start Thursday, but it is not as big of a deal with another game Friday. Personally, I think I would start Peters Thursday coming off his solid performance Tuesday with the initial intent of starting Ward on Friday but also the option to just keep riding Peters if he is lights out Thursday and feels good Friday afternoon.

The margin for error in the playoff chase is going to be small. If Peters is the best chance to get 2 points, he plays.

As much as I have been impressed with Peters play, I cannot help but think at some point he is going to come back to Earth. And I think at some point Ward will more permanently win his job back, but I would not force it.

I think I said it in a blog and someone else said it here, best thing for Khudobin would be a short stint in Charlotte. This would buy Rutherford some time and also help him get back into form after a long layoff.

does a rehab assignment to CLT require them to clear waivers?
- GoCanes11

Khudobin would not need to clear waivers for an injury rehab stint. I am not sure if Charlotte needs to make room on their roster but that should be simple enough sending someone temporarily to the ECHL if they cannot fit him.

I say Peters.... And if he wins start him Friday night too....

If it ain't broke don't fix it
- GoCanes11

Can't agree more!! Peters is looking VERY GOOD!!
Why change or try something new?
Peters should play until he needs a rest!