Friday, November 11, 2011

Peepin' Foes: Carolina Hurricanes

The Rangers will bring their five game win streak back to the Garden Friday for a game against the Hartford Whalers Carolina Hurricanes. It is a 7pm start and, for those stuck at home, you will be subjected to Micheletti on MSG.

Where We Are: On a roll. The Rangers are finding ways to win despite the many flaws in their game and crippling inconsistencies.

Where They Are: Losers of three straight and seven of their last nine. To brighten their spirits they spent Thursday at Ground Zero.

Who To Watch For: In typical fashion the Rangers will face a scorer coming back from injury - Jussi Jokinen. The shootout specialist missed three games after a bad fall against Tampa and is still in second on his team with nine points in 12 games. First is Jeff Skinner, who is showing no signs of a sophomore slump this season (14 points in 15 games) while Jamie McBain has been slumping his way to the press box. Our pal Tuomo Ruutu hasn't been particularly good this season, which means he should get hot against the Rangers. Tomas Kaberle and Alexei Ponikarovsky have been busts.

What To Watch For: Eric Staal. The elder brother has been atrocious this season with just five points and is an awful -16. It would appear that he is suffering mentally for the physical pain he gave unto his brother. While it would just be ceremonial, watch to see if anyone will go after him. Olympic teammates Ryan Callahan and Tim Gleason going hit for hit. Chad LaRose walking around Del Zaster as he powers to the net.

What We'll (Hopefully) See: The Ranger forecheck making life tough for the Canes quarterback Joni Pitkanen. Hell, hopefully we will just see the Rangers forecheck. It would be too much to ask Boyle to find his scoring touch but his checking line needs to pick up the checking part of their job. Dubi to get off the shnide. The GAS line to keep up their GAG ways. Andre Deveaux to beat up Jay Harrison.

Also Check Out: Red and Black Hockey just called it quits but there is still Canes Country, the Cardiac Cane and Canes Now.

2 comments:

Brother P said...

Time for Dubi to light the lamp tonight

Shining Frog said...

sometimes when eat asparagus, i think of the times when the grass was greener and there were no kaleidoscopes