Brandon Sutter

The Carolina Hurricanes have not defeated the L.A. Kings since February 13, 2007. That record can cause a little angst, think Biggie versus 2Pac. That would make Canes like Bad Boy Records for those who need a refresher course on the 90’s hip-hop feud. So, it only seems appropriate I write this game preview in a lyrical rap… Throw your hands in the air, if youse a true player! Ok, that isn’t going to fly. It would be like Betty White donning a gold chain and spitting words about snagging some dough. Actually, she could probably pull it off better than me. [...]

The Carolina Hurricanes lost their second close game in a row, this time to the Pittsburgh Penguins at the CONSOL Energy Center. Both Cam Ward and Marc Andre Fleury were on all night and both goaltenders made spectacular save after spectacular save. As always the case against the Pens, the Canes got peppered with shots early and often. The Penguins outshot the Canes in every period, including overtime, ending up with a significant edge in shots on goal with 41 to the Canes 26. Jamie McBain started the scoring off early wristing a lose puck past Fleury just 2:11 into [...]

  Canes traveled to Nashville after defeating the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 at home. Apparently, the spark and skill that brought them to victory Friday night failed to cross over the North Carolina border. Five Hurricanes were sent to the penalty box and the Predators were able to convert on four of those advantages. Nashville gained the two points in a final 5-2 score. Justin Peters made his second NHL start and stopped 31 pucks. Eric Staal continued his hot streak with an assist, bringing him to nine points in five games. Jay Harrison was the night’s only scorer for the Canes. [...]

The Carolina Hurricanes killed the Sabres and the smiles of their fans Friday night in a 4-2 victory. The game marked the third meeting between the rival teams. Canes now lead the series 2-1. Justin Faulk continues to amaze Caniacs, and tallied his third goal of the season with a sweet power play goal early in the second period. Jokinen and Staal were credited with the assists. Unfortunately, Thomas Vanek answered 21 seconds later with a wrister past Cam Ward. The forward leads Buffalo in goals with 19. Eric Staal would regain the lead a little over a minute into [...]

Greetings Caniacs! It’s been a short week for most of us at our places of business, but Friday can still not come soon enough. Today has been a relatively quiet day in Caniac Nation as the boys had some time off between Tuesday’s loss to the Islanders and tomorrow’s matchup with the Buffalo Sabres. The team did practice yesterday and this morning. Here are some thoughts for the day.

Head coach Kirk Muller had a long discussion with both Drayson Bowman and Zac Dalpe during practice on Wednesday and made the decision to place Bowman on the third line with Chad LaRose and Brandon Sutter, while moving Dalpe on the top line with captain Eric Staal and Jiri Tlusty. The decision paid off for Muller as Bowman assisted on the first goal of the game by Brandon Sutter, while Zac Dalpe had a goal and an assist, the first two-point night in his young NHL career. Eric Staal also broke out of a scoring slump, scoring a huge goal [...]

Canes’ players and staff need to collectively turn and cough for this mid way check-up. The first three months have not been pleasant for Carolina, both physically and mentally. The southeast division team is currently 12-20-6. Let’s start with the physical exam:   Jeff Skinner is on the injured reserve list. Skinner has been out since December 8, 2011 with a concussion. The open ice hit that jarred the Canes’ star was delivered by a virus known as Andy Sutton. Drayson Bowman was recalled December 11th to fill Skinner’s skates. Bowman has two goals in nine goals with a plus/minus [...]

The Hurricanes (9-18-5) played one of their best games on their four game Canadian road trip against the Toronto Maple Leafs Tuesday night, but at the end of a hard fought battle, it wasn’t enough. Joffrey Lupul ripped a slap shot just 40 seconds into the overtime session that squeezed through Cam Ward‘s pads and sat along the goal line before it appeared that Justin Faulk tipped the puck out of harm’s way, but Tim Connolly was able to grab a loose puck and put it behind a frustrated Cam Ward. The two teams battled to a scoreless tie after [...]