Matt Karash: Game #30: Will to win comes through against San Jose

A few observations:

-Gleason redeemed himself after being a -2 to start the game. And we finally won a game with him in the lineup. Now 1-7

-Cam just didn't seem to be all there tonight. It seems like he inherited Peters rebound control issues. He also was lacking the side to side movement speed tonight.

A few observations:

-Gleason redeemed himself after being a -2 to start the game. And we finally won a game with him in the lineup. Now 1-7

-Cam just didn't seem to be all there tonight. It seems like he inherited Peters rebound control issues. He also was lacking the side to side movement speed tonight.
- ward30nhl

I agree on both counts. Ward just does not look confident/comfortable right now. I think that makes it even more important that the team helped him get a win which makes the night a positive on the whole.

I agree on both counts. Ward just does not look confident/comfortable right now. I think that makes it even more important that the team helped him get a win which makes the night a positive on the whole.
- CarolinaMatt63

I almost wonder if he is really feeling the heat from two other goalies. You would think that would be enough to push him to play better. But it seems like its going in the other direction.

Edit: #Sekera4Norris

Cam needs repetition to get back into the groove. It took Peters 7 games and then he was solid. Fun game to watch tonight. Had a good feeling when they cut the lead to 2-1. You could feel and see them coming on. The strong third will build more and more confidence. Big win all around !!

With every additional game, I appreciate Sekera even more. What a find, and for McBain no less. His skating and decision making is very impressive. So glad to see him having a breakout year, so far.

more evidence that the canard about western conf. superiority is as false as global warming!!!
need more than a few data points to show statistical certainty!!!

The most important question is if Couture thinks you guys deserved to win. . . . .

The most fun I've had at the Arena I've had in a long, long, time. The JStaal line was awesome tonight and should have scored a few more. Stalock stood on his head for most of the game, but the Canes determination to win prevailed in the end. Just wait until we get Semin back now that the other forwards are finding their games.

With every additional game, I appreciate Sekera even more. What a find, and for McBain no less. His skating and decision making is very impressive. So glad to see him having a breakout year, so far.
- CappyJr.

Over the years, Rutherford has had his share of misses but has built some incredibly good (not impressive, but good) blue lines from ho-hum moves.

For 2002 Cup run, he added Aaron Ward before the season for a mid-round pick, reacquired Sean Hill (with StL eating part of salary) in Dec for about nothing and then (I have no idea how) managed to pawn a struggling Sandish Ozolinsh to Florida for Hedican. When it was all said and done, Wesley/Hill, Hedican/Ward, Wallin/Malik were good enough to play a bunch of tight-checking, low-scoring games on the way to the Finals.

For the 2006 Cup win, Rutherford added Commodore before the season started (after seeing a lot of him playing for the shared Cal/Car AHL team during the lost season) for a mid-round pick. He had already added FKaberle as a very ho-hum free agent pickup on the cheap before the strike season. Again, you had a pretty unspectacular looking blue line of Hedican/Commodore, FKaberle/AWard, Wallin/Wesley that was sound and solid.

For the 2009 playoff run, the returns were not immediate, but Rutherford picked up Pitkanen (decent case that he was team's best player even over CWard and EStaal in those playoffs) at a low point in his career and picked up Seidenberg who only after he left did it become clear how good of an NHL defender he was.

So could Sekera and Hainsey along with Bellemore and Murphy's rising be Rutherford's next blue line masterpiece without any flare on the front end? We will not know until April, but after pulling it off a couple times, it is definitely possible.

Something I haven't heard much about, is the increase of traffic the Canes have gotten these past few games. Seems like there are 3 Canes between the dman shooting from the point and the goalie quite often.

I don't know if this was a point of emphasis, Ruutu leading by example, or what, but it's certainly working, as our Dmen are racking up goals and assists with floaters from the blueline that either go in or get tipped by one of the many people it passes by.

Hey Matt, agree with you on Rutherfords job on defense. I am struggling with what the lines should be when semin and dwyer come back healthy.

Im thinking

Ruutu- E Staal - Skinner

Semin- J Staal - Lindholm

Gerbe - Nash - Dwyer

Tlustly? Not sure what to do with him.

Gerbe- Feel awful even dropping him down to third.

Lindholm- Does he deserve to stay second line above Gerbe or Dwyer?

Skinner- Does Muller move Skinner back to third line against easier competition, but with less skilled linemates?

Tlustly- Has started playing better. Can still fit in the first line.

HELP!

I hate to separate Semin and Eric but the first line has looked really impressive as of late.

Hey Matt, agree with you on Rutherfords job on defense. I am struggling with what the lines should be when semin and dwyer come back healthy.

Im thinking

Ruutu- E Staal - Skinner

Semin- J Staal - Lindholm

Gerbe - Nash - Dwyer

Tlustly? Not sure what to do with him.

Gerbe- Feel awful even dropping him down to third.

Lindholm- Does he deserve to stay second line above Gerbe or Dwyer?

Skinner- Does Muller move Skinner back to third line against easier competition, but with less skilled linemates?

Tlustly- Has started playing better. Can still fit in the first line.

HELP!

I hate to separate Semin and Eric but the first line has looked really impressive as of late.
- StaalsnUrinals

For me it comes down to your last comment. I am a huge fan of riding things that are working. Personally, I am skeptical that even the 2.0 version of Jeff Skinner is going to be good enough defensively to stick on the 1st line. We saw a little bit of that yesterday even amidst a decent game. But right now that line is lighting it up. Keep it as long as it is working.

That makes it challenging to figure out where to play Semin. He will ultimately be in the top 6 and probably with EStaal on the 1st line, but I might even start him on the 3rd line if the other stuff is still clicking.

With that:
1) Muller needs to make sure he talks to him to keep the scoring pressure off him if he is playing with less skilled line mates.

2) He will still get his share of "offensive minutes" with a regular helping of power play time.

Regardless of how Muller sorts it out short-term it is likely to evolve/change over time, and it is a great problem to have.

Something I haven't heard much about, is the increase of traffic the Canes have gotten these past few games. Seems like there are 3 Canes between the dman shooting from the point and the goalie quite often.

I don't know if this was a point of emphasis, Ruutu leading by example, or what, but it's certainly working, as our Dmen are racking up goals and assists with floaters from the blueline that either go in or get tipped by one of the many people it passes by.
- notwalnc

Great point. If I get a minute, I am going to do a quick tally of goals either scored on tips or directly as a result of a screen in front. It is a big number for the past 4-5 games. We have Nash X2 (goals), Lindholm (goal), Ruutu (at least 1 screen), Harrison (with chaos from Boychuk) and at least a few more once I go back through the recent goals.

Hey Matt, agree with you on Rutherfords job on defense. I am struggling with what the lines should be when semin and dwyer come back healthy.

Im thinking

Ruutu- E Staal - Skinner

Semin- J Staal - Lindholm

Gerbe - Nash - Dwyer

Tlustly? Not sure what to do with him.

Gerbe- Feel awful even dropping him down to third.

Lindholm- Does he deserve to stay second line above Gerbe or Dwyer?

Skinner- Does Muller move Skinner back to third line against easier competition, but with less skilled linemates?

Tlustly- Has started playing better. Can still fit in the first line.

HELP!

I hate to separate Semin and Eric but the first line has looked really impressive as of late.
- StaalsnUrinals

Well Semin may see some 3rd line to get back in the grind ,but eventually the lack of a 3rd line center with Nash on the 3rd line is Nash will get put on Waivers as he is no 3rd line center That means Lindholm will be Muller's only viable option there ,so were looking at:

1.Skinner/Staal/Semin

2.Gerbe/J.Staal/Ruutu

3.Tlusty/Lindholm/Dwyer

4.Bowman/Malhotra/Dvorak

The 4th line is playing to good to tinker with ,and the line skill balance is Imo the best with this combination ,but Gleason being traded will play into the equation soon as a trade for another puck mover ,and 3rd line center would make the Canes a real legit contender especially another center which would make Lindholm a RW ,and maybe move Dwyer back to the 4th line If you use Dvorak at 36 yrs old a trade sweetner to the NYI or EDM ,and my shocker move would be "IF" JR moves Cam Ward who right now isn't playing at a $6.3m level when he has Peter's and Khudobin in his pocket ,and could really improve the team substantially ,and for more cap room ,but do I think it could happen NO ,would I be shocked NO.