Let the sarcastic well-wishing comments rain down...
It might sound strange, but for the Carolina Hurricanes the goal for tonight's home opener and the couple games that follow is to simply play their way onto the ice for the 2014-15 season.
Consider that the team: --Was not very good last year. --Is supposed to be just as bad or worse this year as a unanimous pick for 8th in the Metro. --Is already down 2 key players in Jordan Staal and Jeff Skinner, 1 very long term (3-4 months for JStaal) and the other with the hazy long-term sounding "indefinitely" for a concussion. --Is working through a ton of transition including a new coach and some young players thrust into big roles at the NHL experience with minimal experience on the way into the role.
On paper there is a lot happening between the big adjustments to the opening night roster, the ominous forecasts from pundits, etc. But here's the thing. That can all be quickly left behind with even a few wins to start the season. Once that happens, the paper gets left behind, the game moves to the ice and things get simpler when you just need to focus on being better for 1 night than the next team on the schedule. That worked out real well for a young Colorado Avalanche team with a new coach, and they road it all the way through the season.
That is exactly where the Canes are right now. They need to play their way onto the ice and off the paper.
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For game specifics:
--The Isles. I really like the moves for Boychuk and Leddy. Who knows for sure if it will work, but sometimes you have to go for it. I think that time is now for the Isles with a young but experienced and talented forward group but a back end that has been problematic for years. My hope is that it takes the Isles some time to reset the lineup and figure out the chemistry and puzzle pieces and that the Canes are catching them twice at exactly the right time.
--Malone/McClement/Dwyer. One upshot of the 2 injuries is that what was supposed to be a limited minute, 4th line with an embedded PK unit is suddenly thrust into the role of shouldering a good chunk of the hard minutes that JStaal's line would have taken. Are they up to the task? Can they bring 12-15 minutes of solid checking line play against other teams' best? Or are they just now too overslotted and in over their heads and talent level?
--The big line. This line will need to be real good and win the top line vs. top line matchup for the Canes to win. They did that regularly in 2012-13 but never found it in 2013-14 before being split up.
--John-Michael Liles. Going into training camp, I had him as the best choice to take the #4 D spot next to Hainsey. I still think that makes sense, but he did not have an overly confidence-inspiring training camp. Here is hoping that he is ready, acclimated and primed to play at a high level.
--Cam Ward. I had a chaotic Thursday, so hopefully I did not miss any kind of official announcement that retracted what seemed to be the case - Ward starting the home opener. He looked good in his last preseason outing. He needs to be much better than 2013-14 whether it is in a starter or backup role. That starts tonight.
Expected lines and pairings for the Canes tonight: Tlusty/EStaal/Semin Gerbe/Rask/Lindholm Malone/McClement/Dwyer Terry/Nash/PBrown
Sekera/Faulk Hainsey/Liles Harrison/Gleason
Ward in net
Note: I would not be surprised to see the D changed. That is how they practiced yesterday with Bellemore/Murphy together. It is just a guess, but I think Murphy will see the lineup either as a 7th defenseman if Peters drops a forward or maybe in place of Gleason or Harrison.
Don't let the season previews drag you down. It is opening night for Canes hockey and that is a good thing!
It's game day morning? Who called in sick and is at the grocery store right now picking up charcoal and enough food and beverages to tailgate for lunch and dinner?
Twitter=@CarolinaMatt63
Go Canes!