NEWARK, N.J. — While Canes center Eric Staal has been highly productive playing on a line with Tuomo Ruutu and Erik Cole this season, there's something to be said for having a smart, wily playmaker like Ray Whitney on his wing.
Canes coach Paul Maurice made that move during Game 5 against the Devils, sticking Staal on the line with Whitney and Chad LaRose, and then stuck with it in Game 6. Staal had two goals and an assist, Whitney a goal and three assists and LaRose a pair of assists.
"We had used it a earlier in the year," Maurice said. "Almost too many plays at certain times.
"But in a game where it seemed Eric Staal is drawing so much traffic to the net and so many eyes, having somebody get a little more open ice, he can buy that time. Ray doesn't rush plays."
On a two-on-one rush in Game 6, Whitney held the puck on the left wing, froze goaltender Martin Brodeur and then threaded a pass to Staal between two Devils for a goal and 3-0 lead.
"That pass had to be, I don't know if delicate is the right word, but it had to be a pretty tight pass," Maurice said.
Whitney had a goal in the series opener and an assist in Game 2, then had gone without a point the next three games.
Maurice said he intended to stick with the same lineup for Game 7. What about the same lines?
That may not be known until game time.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Chad
Tue, 04/28/2009 - 15:49 — PretzelManWhat a great addition Chad LaRose is to this line! I hope Maurice keeps this line together. LaRose has the best work ethic I have seen in a long time and it is fantastic to see him on this line! I hope he stays with the Canes for a great long career!
Yes, Yes, Yes !!
Tue, 04/28/2009 - 16:58 — esteban1949i too am a Chad LaRose fan...and i hope he does want and desires to stick around...as far as i know, He, like Ruutu & Jokinen, want to stick around for a very long time...
1 hour & 31 mins to go !!!
Go Canes !!!
The One thing
Tue, 04/28/2009 - 12:13 — esteban1949Mo has going as far as Staal goes...he can and has played with any and all the combinations one can think of when it comes to Whiteny,Cole,and Ruutu...now if asked...one could even make a line of sorts out of those 3 by themselves...as i am sure if asked to try...Cole or Whiteny could or would find a way to play center...so math wise the Canes have another "variable" to toss out there on the ice to shake the " opposition up " as what sort of a defense does one toss at a line like that ...aside from a steel curtain or a chain link fence.
6 hours & 16 mins to go...yippie
Go Canes !!
HD Game
Tue, 04/28/2009 - 10:08 — kcljarAs of 5 this morning, the game wasn't listed in the FSC HD line-up. With all the problems our area has been having recently with the TV coverage, I hope we won't miss any of the action on regular or HD TV tonight.
hd tv blog
Tue, 04/28/2009 - 10:42 — wolfpackcaniacMan, you hear people complain about HD vs. non-HD on this blog more than you hear about the Hurricanes. Even the authors are having to write articles about it just to satisfy your complaints.
Maybe the the blog should be called HD NOW?
Sutter
Tue, 04/28/2009 - 09:59 — GoShelfBased on the way the last 2 games have gone, you've gotta think Sutter's going to make some sort of adjustment whether it's a line-combo change, strategic change, or matchup change. They haven't faired well the last 5 periods. Whatever they end up doing I hope we adjust quickly, Maurice and coaches better be on their toes.