The Carolina Hurricanes have won another game on the road.
Now, what about at home?
Eric Staal scored his 25th and 26th goals of the season Thursday as the Canes rolled past the New York Islanders 6-2 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y. Ray Whitney, Dennis Seidenberg and Anton Babchuk each had a goal and assist for Carolina.
For the Canes, that's four straight wins on the road, their longest streak since winning five in a row in the 2005-06 season. Now, there's the not-so-small matter of winning at the RBC Center.
The Hurricanes are back home Friday night to face the Tampa Bay Lightning, trailing the Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers by three points in the Eastern Conference playoff chase. And while Carolina is 8-2-0 in the second half of back-to-back sets this season, while the Canes have beaten the Lightning three times, they may be a bit wary.
In their last three games at the RBC Center, the Hurricanes have been outscored 15-2, losing all three. Whitney, in particular, was outspoken after a 5-1 loss to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, calling it a "bit humiliating."
"We have to focus on our game and how we need to play," Staal said. "Everything else will take care of itself."
The Canes responded Thursday by grabbing a 3-1 first-period lead and pushing it to 5-1 after two against the Islanders, who were unbeaten in their last six games.
"I don't think it was an ESPN Classic, but at the same time we needed this game clearly more than they did," Canes coach Paul Maurice said.
Whitney helped get the Canes started with his 18th goal, getting a piece of a Babchuk shot at 5:23 of the first period for a 1-0 lead. Mark Streit's power-play goal, the defenseman scoring on a shot from just inside the blue line, tied it 1-1. Then came the Canes' barrage.
At 16:15, Matt Cullen scored his 16th as Chad LaRose passed to Whitney from behind the Islanders net and Whitney sharply fed Cullen for a backhand flip.
Moments later, it was 3-1. Staal wound up as if to shoot, took another stride, then unloaded, the puck hitting and then trickling past Islanders goalie Joey MacDonald.
"We wanted to jump on them early and we did," Staal said
Staal added his second goal at 15:49 of the second with a rising shot that zipped past MacDonald's head and nicked the crossbar. Winger Tuomo Ruutu controlled the puck behind the Islanders net before Staal scored from the left circle
But the Canes weren't through in the second period. With just 15.4 seconds left, Seidenberg slipped in and fired a shot past MacDonald for a 5-1 lead
Babchuk's goal in the third finished the scoring for the Canes.
The Canes, 15-12-4 on the road, played without defenseman Joni Pitkanen, who suffered an upper body injury Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. Pitkanen also will sit out tonight's game against Tampa Bay, Maurice said.
Maurice wasn't sure until late Thursday afternoon if Sergei Samsonov, who took a shot off the foot in the Boston game, would play. Samsonov did, assisting on both of Staal's goals.
Canes goalie Cam Ward faced 60 shots and had 57 saves Oct. 25, when the Canes won 4-3 in their last visit to Nassau Coliseum. The Islanders had 24 shots Thursday.
Now it's back to the RBC Center for home games against Tampa Bay and Colorado.
"It's a chance for us to respond," Staal said. "We have this win and hopefully we can build on it.
"We need to use our building to our advantage," Staal 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
Eaves...
Fri, 02/20/2009 - 18:06 — vortacBefore you start thinking about Eaves'..."prior contributions"...think about what I am saying.
I have noticed that Eaves' game is really picking up. Especially so in this game. He made that great pass to Seidenberg, was involved in a few other great plays, and just looked like he was playing better. He had a few good shots as well (he really does have a great release, as mentioned in the Phoenix game). I can see the potential in him, and I think it may finally be coming out. Sure, he hasn't scored many goals lately, or gotten many assists. But look at his play last night and the past few games and compare him to our other forwards. He has played much better than Williams (but Williams was coming back from the injuries), Brindy (who is also looking much better, despite not showing up on the stats sheet often), Walker (when Walker was playing), Bayda, and I would even say Ruutu and Sammy (not as much these two, but I really think Eaves has been working harder than them).
Watch the game tonight and watch Eaves with an open mind. Don't say, "he only has two goals this season and he should have twenty by now, I won't admit what he is doing now!" If Eaves can really show how good he is supposed to be, with the injury to Williams, I think he may be staying in the 2nd/3rd line.
Solid
Fri, 02/20/2009 - 15:15 — mdavidhallSolid effort from the Canes last night. A bit of the doldrums in the third, but luckily we had a big enough lead that momentum could not swing too much.
Great to see multiple lines and the defense notch goals.
I was a bit bummed to see Sutter as a scratch, but the results were good. I thought all four lines skated well, a good forecheck most of the night, and the forwards chipped in on defense/back checks all night.
Hope we get Pitkanen back soon. Seidenberg and Babchuck both played strong games. Great to see Gleason back in the lineup. Ward was solid.
Let's hope we can bring the same energy and style of play in front of the home crowd tonight.
The Islanders are barely the shell of a hockey team right now. That said, the Canes beat them like they should have beat them, soundly.
Onwards and upwards.
-m
good win
Fri, 02/20/2009 - 15:15 — HockeydogIt was a good road win. The poor Islanders didn't put up much of a fight but a win is a win. And I agree that Larose is a much needed player on this team. I'm not sure Mo knew what he had with Chad when he took back over, but Larose is getting the ice time he deserves. I like his line on the PP as well. Give them some time and they will produce. Brindy has been skating better but in general he's not where he has been his career, and his ice time has been affected.
Mike Comrie huh ?
Fri, 02/20/2009 - 08:30 — esteban1949Hey irbefan...while and what you say is true...and we both know that LaRose will probably never make it into the NHL HOF, but if we were to look back on many trams over the years, it's the heart and play day in and day out of the " little guys' like LaRose on every NHL & other leagues teams that have and do make a difference...just like the the behind the scenes people in everyday life...they as a rule don't affect you & me personally on many things or issues..but that little engine that could work ethic and mentality is what seperates many many players like LaRose from the Pee Wee's all the way up to the AHL...are full of Chad LRose's They are the thread that helps weave a team who has a few or a super star along the way...And that is why, and again...Chad laRose may never ever have his number retired, or end up will a billion points in assists that got him a place in the HOF, or ever become a cup winning coach ...but it's guys and players like him that give hope and class to a sport that has a history that has come a long long way...So to All the Chad LaRose's out there in the Hockey world...keep skating,keep digging, practice till your arms and legs fall off...You can and will make it ! After all it's players like you who play for the Love of the sport...not the fame & glory...and that's my story...and i'm sticking to it !!
esteban bows repectfully...pushes the control lever...and rolls off towards the kitchen...
Go Canes !!!
100%
Fri, 02/20/2009 - 11:10 — irbefanOh, I agree 100%. I have never doubted Chad energy and value to the team. I was one of the angry ones when he was a healthy scratch under Mo's first couple of games. I believe that without him we might have 3-4 less wins and a lot less STH. However, when you look at the fight and where it was in the game, you might tend to cringe. The Canes were up 6-1 and if I'm not mistaken it was right after our sixth goal. The game was decided and fighting would only benefit the Isles at such a point. Soon after the tussle, the Isles scored and took a litle momentum with it. Not that it cost us a game but I think Rosey needs to know when to fight and when to just kinda battle.
LaRose
Fri, 02/20/2009 - 09:21 — Canes73I couldn't agree more. LaRose is one of those players you need on the team to win Stanley Cups. He kind of reminds me of a player like Mike Keane. Not a superstar by any means but will always give you his 100%. I would just like to see his work ethic rub off on a few more players on the team.
Nice to get the win last night but if they are going to compete for a playoff spot they'll have to play harder than that against the stronger teams. That looked more like a pond hockey game than an NHL game.
dear Cane73 & irbefan
Fri, 02/20/2009 - 18:54 — esteban1949I agree with ya both...and as i have pointed out he may never ever get voted in the HOF...but as a kid when i played in the chicago city leagues and lots of 'pond' hockey...i was the same type of player LaRose is today...and trust me friends...i too needed a leash and a muzzle on me as & back in the late 50's and early 60's I the record for penalty minutes for fighting but i also had on the average some 22 goals a year and as many assists too. but that all stopped when i got into a fight and lost big time. In fact my then girl friend & later wife of 30 years made me stop playing after being knocked out on the ice after the guy i was battling with did a judo hip toss on my and went down on the back of my head...So i undersatand your points...well enough history...any of you going to the concession stand...I'd like a braut all the way please...hehehe...Go canes !!
Awesome game, it's nice to
Fri, 02/20/2009 - 02:21 — irbefanAwesome game, it's nice to see this team actually win a game we "should" win. Tampa played last night and lost in a shootout. A little extra hockey for the already weary might be a good thing and the emotional let down might help too. I foresee this team winning 4 out of the next 5 games. Buffalo or Ottawa might give us trouble.
Minor corrections:
nhl.com states our sixth goal as Samsonov's with Babs getting the assist. Also, the Isles weren't undefeated in their past six. Close - they were 4-0-2 in their past six home games. Small things but those get under my skin. Sorry Chip, love your writing though...
Go Canes, Strike the Lightning
Brind'Amour
Fri, 02/20/2009 - 00:41 — DunkmeAnybody else notice that Rod is becoming less of a factor for this team game after game? Speed? No.. Scoring? No.. +/- (Impossible -30) I guess he can still take Faceoffs. Not tonight 0-4 in the defensive zone against the worst team in the NHL tonight. He may be a great guy and leader but we are on the hook for that crazy contract and there will be no takers out there at the trade deadline...
good game plus
Fri, 02/20/2009 - 00:23 — esteban1949Chad LaRose in the sin bin for "fighting" ?? I saw Conboy's tussle but i had to go and answer a long distance overseas
call and when i returned...i saw LaRose heading for the Box...for fighting with somebody...who was it ?? Tripp and Forslund praised LaRose's work ethic even during during practice sessions as well...That doesn't really surprise, me as he is just that kind of player.Heck he proved that when he came back big time after he got a broken leg last season. it was also good to see some much trash talked about players show that yes, they do and are willing to play...Like #'s 33,44,5 . But I could be wrong. Tampa bay is next and in the morning I will check the standings.
Co Canes !!
Go figure..
Fri, 02/20/2009 - 02:15 — irbefanLaRose fought Mike Comrie...it was quite uneventful