Eric Staal

The Carolina Hurricanes Look Good On Paper

July 31, 2012

Canes fans should be excited as momentum is building in Carolina for the first time since 2006. The Canes were awesome that year and had a team full of talent that kept the fans on the edge of their seats all season in route to a NHL championship.

The Hurricanes appear to be headed down the same path in the 2012 – 2013 season as the rebuild process is starting to look like Jim Rutherford has rekindled his magic touch. JR appears to have succumbed to the pressures of finishing last in the division last year and has been wheeling and dealing to put a better product on the ice for the upcoming season.

For the fans, it is just in time as patience was wearing thi...

Canadiens Win Streak Ends

February 13, 2012

David Collins

1 Comment

The Carolina Hurricanes paid a visit to the Bell Centre on Monday night for a game with the Montreal Canadiens. Each team has been struggling this year, but it was the Hurricanes who came out with a win on this night, something that hasn't been easy to come by for the Hurricanes this season. It was a close match the whole way but in the end the Canadiens weren't able to score that final goal to tie the game, as the Hurricanes went on to win by a score of 5-3.

It was the Hurricanes who opened up the scoring early in the first period as Jiri Tlusty tipped in a shot from defenseman Bryan Allen just three minutes into the game. While that was the only goal to be seen in the open...

Erik Cole: Patience Required

October 17, 2011

George Prax

12 Comments

When you look up and down the stats page for the Montreal Canadiens, there really shouldn't be all that many surprises. Max Pacioretty and Tomas Plekanec lead the team in points, Scott Gomez only has one assist in 4 games, PK Subban leads the team in ice time per game, the usual stuff.

But travel a little further down the various lists, and you'll find a somewhat surprising stat line.

Four years, $18 million, and a no-movement clause, and the Canadiens high profile UFA-day acquisition only has an assist in four games? What's more, he's barely been averaging 14:30 minutes of ice time?

Something's not right ...

Canes Need to Gain Strength Before Road Trip

October 12, 2011

rynrrck

0 Comments

Three up, and three down. If the Carolina Hurricanes had any hopes of a fast and focused start to this new season – like any fresh-faced, clean-slate squad should when the first puck of the year drops – plans have gone awry in a hurry. They opened the year with back to back games against their most talented division foes and left with only one point in their pocket.

After being dominated by Tampa Bay on Friday’s Opening Night in Raleigh, especially during the last two periods, to a tune of 5-1, the Canes needed a last-second empty-net surge to earn an OT point Saturday before being dismissed by a Mike Green power play goal in Was...

Caps Re-Cap and Report Card 10.9.11

October 10, 2011

SloweVechkin

0 Comments

By Scott Lowe

The Washington Capitals opening-night 4-3 overtime victory against Southeast Division-rival Carolina in front of the 107th straight Verizon Center sellout Saturday didn’t lack for thrills. From the Caps’ perspective there was plenty to be excited about – a few standout individual efforts and enough mistakes to remind everyone that there is plenty of work ahead. All in all it was a pretty typical opening-night performance, with the team getting an overall grad of a B-minus for the effort. A further breakdown follows:

Caps Goals: Semin, Chimera, Laich, Green

Caps Assists: Backstrom (2), Carlson, Ward, Alzner, Ovechkin, Wideman

Shots on...

What Will The Canes Bring to the Southeast Table?

October 6, 2011

rynrrck

1 Comment

And so it begins.

Things this offseason were swirling in Carolina, and one’s left to wonder exactly where this team is headed when the first official puck drops Friday night in Raleigh. The Hurricanes lost one established and respected defenseman in Joe Corvo while gaining another more well known for his ability to contribute on offense in Tomas Kaberle. Depth was added at winger in the form of Anthony Stewart, formerly of the Atlanta Thrashers, who’s currently slated to bring some of the speed and scoring potential to the fourth line. Veteran Alex Ponikarovsky, who’s struggled since he was traded from Toronto to Pittsburgh two y...

Know Thy Neighbors

July 19, 2011

rynrrck

4 Comments

[Consol Energy Center, home of the Pittsburgh (#Pgh) Penguins, by www.UprootedPhotographer.com]

I hail from the rolling hills and Three Rivers of Western Pennsylvania. My athletic allegiances are easy to spot given that black and gold(*) are the only two colors I need to represent three pro franchises and their 14 world championships, spanning from 1909 and baseball’s Pirates winning the World Series(**), to the NFL’s Steelers and NHL’s Penguins both hoisting their respective trophies in 2009. I cheer for Pittsburgh.

(*) – Yes, I’m well aware that the Penguins’ current “Vegas gold” is no longer an easy match to the good ol...

Hurricanes Look to Gain Strength Over Off-season

July 11, 2011

rynrrck

4 Comments

It feels a bit odd that my first thoughts at The Checking Line are not about my beloved Penguins of Pittsburgh, but Chuck Gaston, Jr., did such a good job discussing their off-season to date that it’s best for me to look a little closer to my current home of Charlotte, NC, and the Carolina Hurricanes. For those relatively unfamiliar with the Canes, they landed in Raleigh, NC, in 1999 after moving from Hartford, CT, in 1997 and spending two seasons playing in Greensboro, NC.

They’re the only pro team from the four major North American sports in Raleigh, and they’ve cultivated a devoted following (Caniacs) and an in-house atmosphere at the RBC Center that’s ver...