Is this the night? Does the Canes' winless streak end at 13?
"I hope so, yes," center Brandon Sutter said. "I think we're getting closer and closer. It seems like we've been kind of putting it off, and we can't lose any more games here."
But Tuomo Ruutu was more definitive about the game with the Islanders.
"Tonight is the night. I've really got to believe it," he said, sitting in his locker after the morning skate. "Yeah, it's tonight. I feel it.
"I'm sure you guys (media) are tired of coming in here and seeing us unhappy. You'd probably like to see us upbeat and I'd like to see us upbeat, you know."
But as Ruutu noted, again, saying it and doing it are two different things. It has to happen on the ice come game time.
Canes coach Paul Maurice has shuffled the lines with Scott Walker and Stephane Yelle out of tonight's game, putting Sutter on a line with Ray Whitney and Erik Cole -- a statement both about Sutter's play and the state of the Canes.
Ruutu, who scored twice Wednesday in the 5-2 loss to the LA Kings, will be on Matt Cullen's line with Jussi Jokinen, with Rod Brind'Amour centering Sergei Samsonov and Chad LaRose. Tim Conboy, who was placed on waivers Thursday, was at practice today.
"When you've lost that many games you have to try something new," Ruutu said. "But I don't think that's going to be the answer for tonight. The answer is going to be how hard we work.
"I keep saying this all over again but now I really mean it because we haven't been working hard enough."
Sutter has three goals in eight games since being called up from Albany (AHL), and had a season-high 17:31 in ice time against the Kings. He said he was pumped about being bumped up to the line with Whitney and Cole.
"Obviously it's exciting for me," Sutter said today. "Just being here playing with anyone's great. I was playing with Rosy (LaRose) and Roddy (Brind'Amour) the last few games and thought that was going pretty well. Obviously we're looking to kind of shake things up a little bit.
"Obviously to be with two guys like (Cole and Whitney) is an honor and I'm excited for it."
Sutter, like many of the Canes, said he has never experienced anything in hockey like the 13-game winless streak, which is one game off the franchise record set in 1992. Then again, he's only 20.
"I've been through a few losing streaks, obviously, but nothing like this," he said.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at
Comments
Nostopilus and Conboy
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 16:20 — HockeydogI'd bet Conboy dresses and Mo just rotates one of the other centers in with them for the 2 minutes they see tonight - unless those two and one of the centers comes out and impresses Maurice. Maybe then the see a few extra shifts.
I'd agree as well there has to be something with A.Ward. We need him now. He needs to take a page from Eric Cole the night C.Ward got cut. Cole tried his best to put the team on his shoulder after Cam got hurt. There has not been enough of that from the veteran players on this team who are healthy. All this "hope " the streak ends needs to stop. Every man in that room needs to decide tonight that they want to win and will leave everything on the ice EVERY shift, regardless of the score. They need to believe in the system that took them to the conference finals. In short every player dressed needs to simply man up and take a personal responsibility for tonights game before they step on the ice. I have to think a loss tonight will have some consequence- someone will get traded for a draft pick or something else the team doesn't want to happen. Stop thinking, stop crying and man up tonight, boys!!
For sure...
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 16:57 — penaltykiller74The word "hope" shouldn't be used. They need to want it, and grind it out.
Though I think they don't beleive in the system that's in place, because watching the games, it doesn't look the same as last year. Someone else said it on this blog - so credit to you even though I can't remember who it was, that last years system was basically a mashup of what Lavi had left, and the band aids that Mo put in place. That's not how they are playing this year. The system that is in place is Mo's system, and for what its worth, hasn't worked for any team he has coached. Yes, he got us to the Cup in 2002, but how did that turn out? How about the seasons after?
The coach is the real issue here. His system isn't built around what he has to work with, he's trying to make the players work in his system. Round peg, square hole. My 4 year old can figure that out.
yes a double
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 15:37 — esteban1949negitive is and will be the key !! Too bad none of us here can be the ones doing the " officiating" tonites game huh ? As the Canes could or might get a couple of penalty shots !! but i do like Ruutu's & Sutter's eagerness to get out there and make some points !! So Friday the 13th...Plus NYI's 6-6-6...yes it all adds up !!!
And Tim Conboy is showing some class too by shoing up and working hard in preperation. So it seems that he has cleared waivers then Chip ?
Go Canes !!
Win Predicted for Canes because of "Double Negative"
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 13:51 — penaltykiller74The Canes will win tonight due to a superstitious "double negative.
1. It's Friday the Thirteenth
2. The Islanders record is 6-6-6
So two negatives make a positive right?
lol
Rod Stewart
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 13:25 — garybdiverWasn't it Rod Stewart that had a song called Tonights the Night? Or something like that. I'm seeing something coming in the air tonight. I'm looking forward to the game and Sutter moving on up. Let's rock the Big ATM tonight Caniacs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just Three Simple Words...
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 12:50 — Caniac5LET'S GO CANES!!!!!!
Yelle & Walker Out?
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 12:49 — WAStoutSo no line mates for Tommy? We're only going to roll 3 lines tonight?
Only three Lines?
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 12:52 — Caniac5That is pretty much how MO coaches. He drives three lines into the ice and, if there is a fourth, he only allows them 5 minutes max on the ice.
What a way to drive your team down!
Good
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 12:54 — WAStoutLet's just roll two D pairs then. Keep Wallen and AWard in the pressbox.
I agree Aaron Ward needs to
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 13:22 — CaniacCathyeI agree Aaron Ward needs to be any where except on the ice for the Canes. He doesn't play with heart. He doesn't give 100%.
If you just look at the last
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 14:06 — caneshockeyfanIf you just look at the last few games, you are justified in saying that. If you look at his career, including his previous stint with the Canes, then you have to conclude he's a heart and soul kind of guy. Perhaps he's fighting an undisclosed injury or has simply lost a step like I think Brind'amour has. I still believe in A Ward.
Aaron Ward
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 15:44 — abramsdougI agree there has to be something going on with Aaron Ward. He was a key, key part of the Hurricanes success when he has here the first time. I was really excited Jim Rutherford obtained him in a trade. Thus far he is playing the worst I've ever seen him play. It could be an undisclosed injury; but whatever it is, his poor play has been a substantial detriment to the team thus far. Unless he has an injury, or unless time has finally taken its toll, he has it in him to be the masterful and physical defenseman who was a team leader in 2005-2006. We need that play out of him now and for the rest of the season.
I Hear Ya...
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 14:45 — WAStoutI like (and appreciate) AWard and Brindy as much as anyone but if there is a problem....minimize their time.