Leighton to start against Caps

Per TSN, Melicher placed on waivers

I never stated that I thought Cam played consistently all last year. What I did stat was that I thought over the past 4 games up until Sunday that he had more than 30 shots and that over a whole he has improved each year. If Leights plays tomorrow good luck to him - the team needs to win. However, I have read the paper and have listened to post game comments / quotes - has anyone noticed that Laviolette praises all other goalies for their good work and doesn't play them for losses when they may have been the reason we lost - Graham and Leights (in the past) but is always quick to blame Cam and never praise him in the media???? Wonder how that builds a team players confidence. Good luck to Leights tomorrow and I truly hope we aren't ruining everything that Cam is working towards by doing what most fans think is"sending a message". Your right it is sending a message but what message is it sending.

I agree with the decision to start Leighton. I realize Leighton has not proven he can be a #1 goalie. I also agree that long-term Ward has the support of the Hurricanes management to be the #1 goalie. I also agree that Cam Ward has shown he can be brilliant. In my view Ward's inconsistent play has been detrimental to the team as a whole. I think it is difficult for the team to keep up its energy with a goalie who misses soft shots, even if he can also make spectacular plays. Fundamentally, more games are lost when simple mistakes are made than are won by great plays. I think Ward needs to understand that his first job is to stop the soft shots and to be consistent in his play. I also think Laviolette is sending an important message to Ward in particular and the team in general; and to me the message is play hard and play smart or watch the game while others play.

Cam has not played well of late ,he gave up soft goals against washington on thursday and sunday kinda speaks for itself.. you can be a cam ward fan all you like but Im a canes fan, lavi is the man ...doubt him if you want, I dont

Most of the comments in here have over exaggerated the point. Most of the teams in the NHL are using some sort of goalie rotation - even Luongo has watched a couple of games this year. It's pretty simple: Ward has struggled at times and Leighton's looked solid. At least this year we have a backup that get wins.
As long as we are winning, I don't particularily care who's in net and based on results so far Leighton gives us the best chance tomorrow. I'm not throwing Ward under the bus because with the exception of Sunday he's played extremely well, but with 2 goalies playing well, you have to go with the guy that gets wins. We don't have the time to let Ward find his form - every game matters (remember last year, can't take off nights, it's too costly).

I would prefer Ward as I think that he is our #1 and for that reason should be playing in this game. That having been said I hope the Canes win. I have watched almost every game and do not understand this but it seems like the team plays more consistently well in front of Leighton. Maybe it is because they are more focussed since he is our back-up and they feel the need to be on top of their game? This is not an attempt to knock Leighton who I think has played well but it is merely my observation.

Also we need to start playing D in front of our net like teams play us. Staal is not allowed by other teams to skate right in to a the slot and take a shot unless he is willing to get knocked on his A$$ either before, during or after the shot is taken. We need to have that same mentality, exact a price for coming in there...and yes sometimes it will have to be after the whistle but that is what other teams do to us so why do we not do the same???

I am a huge canes fan and always have been. I think that a loss will show everyone that Leighton is not our number goalie nor should he be. And sure I can blame Laviolette for this. How do you not back your goalie? If some of the other #1 goalies in hockey start off 4 and 4 do you see their coaches starting the back up goalies on a consistent basis and sending a bad message to their #1? I just dont like it for the organization's future!

And as far as this past game against Atlanta, were you actually at that game? Do you REALLY think that was Wards fault or do you think the WHOLE team played terrible?

I think what Laviolette is doing with the goalies is a big mistake. I have thought that from game 1. He has a #1 and to keep pulling him and switching up the rotation is not allowing Ward to get into a groove. Also I think it puts doubts in his mind which we all know is not good for goalies. I would like to see him stick with Ward and let him get into winning the games and back into top form!