The Canes will make significant lineup changes tonight, with Anton Babchuk a healthy scratch and Sergei Samsonov sidelined with a lower-body injury.
Babchuk led all Canes defensemen with 16 goals this season and had a team-high four against New Jersey in the regular season. Samsonov, who had 16 goals and 32 assists during the regular season, has one assist in the four playoff games.
In four playoff games, Babchuk has no goals or assists and is minus-2.
Babchuk has not been a healthy scratch since Nov. 23. His overtime goal April 4 against Pittsburgh clinched the Canes' first playoff appearance since 2006.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Babchuk and the Power Play
Fri, 04/24/2009 - 08:49 — abramsdougPerhaps it was worth the gamble to healthy scratch Babchuk; but given the inability of the Hurricanes to score on the power play, I respectfully suggest we need to healthy scratch Wallin or Kaberle and return Babchuk to the lineup. Statistically, it seemed like a dubious idea to take out of the line up one of the most offensively productive defense men in the NHL in what was likely going to be a defensive duel. Of course, hindsight is 20-20 and it is just as conceivable that the Hurricanes could have won 2-1 in overtime. My take is when a team is 1 for 19 on the power play in the playoffs against one of the best goalies in the history of the NHL, the team needs all the offense it can muster. No team ever has won when being shutout.
babchuk is a defensive liability
Fri, 04/24/2009 - 11:07 — MrKnockoffKabs or Wallin may not have the big shot, but Babchuk doesn't have much else. He doesn't really hit, and at times looks lost out there. If the Devils are going to pressure the points on the power play and either not allow babchuk to get a shot off, or even worse pressure him into a disastrous turnover (see Vancouver), then he needs to sit.
Who to Sit: Kaberle, Wallin, Babchuk
Fri, 04/24/2009 - 14:39 — abramsdougKaberle, Wallin, and Babchuk each have strengths and weaknesses in their play. As far as critical errors go, a video containing only the worst decisions each has made during their career with the Hurricanes would be discouraging; and if one took only the best of their play on a video, they would seem to be unbeatable. I would hope the Carolina coaches would be able to counter the defensive tactics thrown at Babchuk so he could baffle Brodeur as he has done in previous games. I think it has to do with one's degree of risk aversion. Babchuk perhaps has more risk, but more top end potential. Wallin and Kaberle have been in the playoffs and know the pressure. My take is that New Jersey probably fears Babchuk more than Wallin and Kaberle; but also realizes that it is possible for Babchuk to make a poor choice at a critical time.
well now
Thu, 04/23/2009 - 16:43 — esteban1949do we fans sit here and " speculate" our humble little booties off in wonderment of why ? Or do we just accept it like Anton did and keep on pulling for the Canes anyway ?? What do we do chip ?? Oh what do we do ?? But all kidding asside, i am a wee bit surprized by the coaches move. But that is why he's the coauch, and we the fans aren't huh ?
Go Canes !!!