Stay the Course!

Well, after watching game one of the Canes - Penguins series the other night, despite losing 3-2 you had to feel optimistic about the Canes chances of winning this series. 

Frankly, other than the first 10 minutes of the game, the Canes were the better team. They muffled Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin much of the game and did an excellent job of reducing the quality chances the Pens had after their initial surge. The Canes had numerous quality scoring chances and only an outstanding performance by Marc-Andre Fleury prevented the Canes from running away with this one. They outshot the Pens 31-25 on the night. 

After the Pens jumped off to an early 2-0 lead on goals by Satan and Malkin, the Canes fought back on a neat play by Erik Cole to set up Chad Larose, the Canes best player on this night, to make it 2-1 and that's where the second period ended. The Canes continued to pressure but a tough penalty to Matt Cullen, when he inadvertently shot it over the glass, led to the go-ahead marker by Philipe Boucher, mid-way through the third. Cam Ward made a great attempt to save it but it just alluded his grasp. The Canes continued to press and made it close on a late goal by Joe Corvo, on one of his patented blasts from the point. With about 30 seconds remaining and the Canes pouring it on, Eric Staal was left wide open to the left of Fleury, but was unable to get his stick on a Jussi Jokinen feed, barely missing the open net. Nice play by Jokinen, who just keeps making it happen.

I thought the Canes played a solid game at both ends. They worked hard and were effective in doing the little things to keep it close. Both Eric Staal and Jussi Jokinen were effective in the face-off circle winning over 60% of their draws. The defence was solid in their own zone blocking a total of thirteen shots between them. Once again, Pitkanen and Corvo logged big minutes, both around twenty-seven minutes of ice time.

The Penguins play a much-more wide-open style than the Canes previous play-off combatants. When they get room to maneuvre, like they did early in the first period, they are deadly. Their power-play is lethal.  So, the best solution is for the Canes to stay on the offence, reducing Pittsburgh's offensive zone time. Like the old saying, the best defence is a good offence.

But, that may be tougher in game two. Erik Cole, knee, and Tuomo Ruutu, ankle, both went down with injuries in game one and are doubtful for game two. Both were questionable hits in my mind, but no use crying over spilt milk. What's done is done. They are key to the Canes aggressive forechecking style. The big question is what changes will the Canes make if either or both can't go tomorrow night.

Rod Brind'Amour did an outstanding job filling in for Ruutu with Jokinen and Samsonov. Sammy tried to get too fancy a few times but luckily got away with some unnecessary blunders unscathed. I'm sure he heard about those after the game and will course-correct for game two. Patrick Eaves filled in for Cole and added some hustle and aggressive play to Matt Cullen's unit but not much in the way of offense. He continues to be an enigma to me, oozes with potential, but never quite puts it all together. If Cole and Ruutu can't go, you have to think that Dwight Helminen would get the first call, having played in the Jersey series. But Maurice may want to double shift Eric Staal, and that would suggest Tim Conboy, if he wants toughness, or Michael Ryan, if he wants speed. I like Ryan. He can fly and has produced at all minor league levels. How about a wildcard? Zach Boychuk would be an interesting addition, coming off a sensational junior year in Lethbridge. Or, "Mo' could pull a Peter Laviolette, and dress seven defencemen, adding Anton Babchuk to the mix. My guess is that one of Cole or Ruutu will play and they will add Helminen as fourth line center. What do you think?

Game two is a critical game for the Canes. If they can come away with a split, as they did in both the Jersey and Boston series, they will be primed to take control of this series when they head back to the friendly confines of the RBC Center. The Caniac nation will be firing on all cylinders, for sure. For some reason, I am not as intimidated by the Pens as I was with the Devils and Bruins.  But then again, maybe I'm missing something here. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

After their gutsy efforts against New Jersey and Boston, I feel strongly that the Canes can do this. I have a great deal of confidence in Paul Maurice and his staff. All they have to do is keep doing what they are doing and in the immortal words of past President Bush, "stay the course!"