NEWARK, N.J. — The Canes were back on the ice today at the Prudential Center and looking a little sharper, a little more alert.
Of course, the Devils weren't around. It was a Thursday practice.
Rod Brind'Amour, who took a big hit during Game One against the Devils, was not at practice. Jussi Jokinen centered the line with Sergei Samsonov and Patrick Eaves.
Brind'Amour, hopping off a stationary bike, said he was OK and would be ready for Game Two. Canes coach Paul Maurice said the same.
"He's fine," Maurice said, joking that "anybody that old gets the green light in the playoffs."
Matt Cullen is centering the line with Ray Whitney and Chad LaRose, so that looks set for Game Two against the Devils tomorrow night.
Cullen, who had missed eight games with a foot injury, played more minutes as the game progressed and said the foot felt fine and his mobility was good.
"Cully will probably get back into his normal spot and we'll adjust after that," Maurice said.
Dwight Helminen was the fourth-line center, with Scott Walker moving down and Tim Conboy and Ryan Bayda alternating on the other wing. Maurice said no decision had been made on Walker and Eaves.
If there's one thing that needs to be corrected, it's puck movement, defense to the forwards. It was much too tentative in the 4-1 loss to the Devils Wednesday in the playoff opener, as if the Canes were afraid of making a turnover that would lead to a goal.
"I think we spent the entire night in our heads and it never translated to our bodies," Maurice said. "Wanting to do the right thing, wanting to get in the right spot.
"In order to beat a team like Jersey you have to get through the frustration of the defensive game. It's always been like that. We spent a lot of time trying to find different ways to move the puck through areas you can't."
Turnovers happen. The Devils had a few in their end. The Canes must find a way to generate some speed up ice, through the neutral zone and into the Devils' zone.
If not ... well, the Canes don't want to think about the if-nots.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
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Maybe he got hit by that
Fri, 04/17/2009 - 14:23 — RPadiMaybe he got hit by that HUGE 168 poud 5'7" player that made him look silly, stripping him out of the puck and passing to a wide open Elias for the 3rd goal... Or maybe it was the hit at the boards when the puck jumped his stick on the first goal... Very though hits you know!!!
Hit by a shot?
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 13:47 — HockeydogI thought he was hit by a puck last night. Regardless if he can't play any better than he did last night because of whatever is hurting he needs to sit or see reduced time.
A best of seven game series is no time to see what happens.
I love the guy and know if he's 100% he is still invaluable to this team but time runs short in the playoffs. Mo needs to be prepared to drop him to the 4th line or whatever if Brindy can't go 100%.
As far as puck movement from defense to forwards, maybe the coaching staff should look at putting in Kaberle and taking out someone. Wallin would be my choice to sit.
I thought Eaves had a decent game last night. This is his chance to shine if he wants it. They should also consider parking Conboy in front of Brodeur . The Canes did nothing to make his life hard last night.
That would explain why
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 12:15 — Canes73Brind'Amour didn't look like he did down the stretch. Hopefully it's not serious. I just hope that if he is not 100%, he sits out. We need the Brind'Amour from February/March...not October/November.
Again this is why the Jokinen deal was so big.
B'A
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 11:49 — JRs_FaultLet's hope this isn't serious... Rod will be needed for the long run (and as many games as possible...) Looking forward to additional info.