Jordan Staal

Isles Fall In OT, Still Manage To Earn Playoff Glory

April 24, 2013

The New York Islanders season-ending five game road trip continued last night in Raleigh as the team fell to the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 in the shootout.

The importance of the loss being in the shootout was that, in conjunction with the Winnipeg Jets regulation loss, the Isles earned their first playoff appearance since 2007. Had the Islanders lost in regulation, there would have been no clinch.

In essence, the Isles played just well enough.

Isles Can't Hold Lead, Fall To The Hurricanes 4-2

February 25, 2013

T.J. Weber

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Looking to extend a two-game win streak, the New York Islanders began a 7-game home stretch on Sunday night against the Carolina Hurricanes. Unfortunately, the Isles gave up a two-goal lead and were defeated 4-2.

Already winning two games last season against the Canes, the Isles started backup goaltender Kevin Poulin in net. After waiving and ultimately sending Rick DiPietro down to the Bridgeport Soundtigers, the Isles called up Poulin to indefinitely serve as backup to Evgeni Nabakov.

Flyers Look to Cap Homestand Against Hurricanes

February 9, 2013

John Russo

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The Flyers are 2-0-1 on their four-game home stand so far. They conclude it against the team they started it against in Carolina. Can they cool down a hot Cam Ward and Eric Staal all while staying out of the penalty box?

Flyers Score Three Power Play Goals in Win

February 3, 2013

John Russo

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It was no secret the Flyers were having problems on special teams.

Heading into Saturday's game against Carolina, the Flyers power play was 24th in the league at 12.5% (5-for-40). They improved upon that number, going 3-for-3 in their 5-3 win over the Hurricanes.

Kurtis Foster, Danny Briere and Claude Giroux all earned tallies on the power play. For Foster and Briere, those were their first goals of the season while Giroux's goal was his first in nine days.

They weren't getting goals easy though. Most of their power play chances ended in frustration as they could neither bury or set up quality scoring chances.

(Pictured: Claude Giroux celebrates with Tye McGinn and Danny Briere after scoring. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Struggling Flyers Host Hurricanes

February 2, 2013

John Russo

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The Flyers look to snap a three-game losing streak against a hot Hurricanes team. The Flyers are also starting a four-game home stand in which they start and finish versus Carolina.

2013 NHL Eastern Conference Power Rankings

January 12, 2013

Bill Philp

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The 2013 NHL season is no longer an 82 game marathon, but instead is a 48 game dash to the finish line.

Will teams that had multiple players skating in Europe fair better? Will veteran squads win because they will have fresh legs all season long? Only the next few months will tell.

Here are my Eastern Conference power rankings.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins – A healthyEvgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby will lead Pittsburgh deep into the Stanley Cup playoffs. The addition of veteran goalie Tomas Vokoun gives Coach Dan Bylsma a solid option if Marc-Andre Fleury falters.

2. New York Rangers – With the ...

Carolina Hurricanes Fans And An Empty Arena

November 5, 2012

Joe Simmons

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For the past few weeks, all that I have been able to do is drive by the PNC Arena and look into an empty parking lot and think about what could have been. These past two weeks were to be the culmonation of something new and exciting in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Being a hockey fan in North Carolina has its perks but it also has many drawbacks. First of all, the die-hard hockey fans in the area have migrated here from another state. Most of them enjoy it in its purity whenever possible. I pride myself on being a real Carolina Hurricanes fan but this week has been tough for me.

I was a major New York Rangers fan before North Carolina got a team. I have been a fan...

The Carolina Hurricanes Look Good On Paper

July 31, 2012

Joe Simmons

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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...

Alex Semin is gone; what now for the Washington Capitals?

July 26, 2012

Carden Hedelt

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With a one-year deal worth $7 million, Alex Semin is headed to Raleigh to frustrate the living bejesus out of Carolina Hurricanes fans join Jordan Staal as part of a new-look offense for the Carolina Hurricanes.

It's a good deal for both parties. Semin, by hook (not the two-minute variety, with which Semin is very familiar) or crook gets his money and the team is only on the hook for one year. Not a bad deal for a boom-or-bust guy like Semin, even if he is coming off a bust season.

Now just where does that leave the Capitals?

They're not exactly up a creek with no paddle because it was pretty clear that Semin wanted to leave from season's end...

No One Is Jordan Staal; Brandon Sutter Must Replace His Role For Pittsburgh

July 12, 2012

Chuck Gaston Jr

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It was a landmark trade that shipped one star center in Jordan Staal to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a draft pick, prospect, and new third line center Brandon Sutter.

Sutter was the key piece to this deal as Pittsburgh needed another center to replace Staal’s role. Unfortunately, many fans are looking at this as if Sutter will be replacing Staal. But, that's just not possible.

Jordan Staal played 431 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins tallying a total of 120 goals (.28PPG) and 128 assists. His 13 shorthanded goals in his career make him one of the strongest and deadliest penalty killers in the game.

Brandon Sutter has 28...