PITTSBURGH — The latest from the Canes this morning is that forward Tuomo Ruutu likely will not play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals and that forward Erik Cole remains questionable.
Having talked over various options, the coaching staff is leaning toward using Pat Dwyer and Dwight Helminen if Ruutu and Cole are unable to play Thursday night against the Penguins. Dwyer has speed and is a good penalty killer, and Helminen — who played in one playoff game against the New Jersey Devils — would used as the fourth-line center.
UPDATE: In practice today, Eric Staal is centering a line with Chad LaRose and Ray Whitney; Matt Cullen centering Scott Walker and Jussi Jokinen; Rod Brind'Amour centering Sergei Samsonov and Patrick Eaves.
Helminen is working with Ryan Bayda, Tim Conboy and Dwyer on the fourth line.
Canes coach Paul Maurice will address the media after today's 12:30 p.m. practice at Mellon Arena.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Lines
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 13:27 — HockeydogI wouldn't mind seeing Cullen with Jussi and Sammy, and let Walker work with Brindy and Eaves. Get some skill guys together since this series is a bit more wide open than the Boo'ins series where Walkers work on the boards was more effective. I kinda agree with Lainienc, maybe resting the one closest to returning would be wise, unless they look close to 100%. I'd rather be down 0-2 but with Cole/Ruutu ready to be effective at home. Staal, Whitney, Cullen, Larose, Jokinen, Brindy, Walker, and Samsonov are going to have to bear down and pull this next one out. The team needs youse guys NOW.
my 2 cents
Wow
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 13:24 — awesomecardsJust looked at your update. Conboy Dwyer.
Eaves on the third line.
That team won't beat anyone.
Thanks for the cheap shots, Pittsburgh.
And thanks for the no-calls, NHL.
Love the positive, "can-do" attitude...
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 16:07 — hockeyhickYou obviously know nothing about this team. It would be nice if the only Canes bashing came from Pens fans. C'Mon man!
Cole and Ruutu haven't been exactly lighting the lamp these playoffs. They have brought energy, hitting, and speed. Dwyer is a gritty player that will bring energy and speed. Having Conboy in the lineup, at least in my opinion, will be a great deterant from more cheap shots. He can also play defense if needed which keeps mo from having to dress 7 d and double-shifting Staal and Cullen on the fourth line.
And when you get right down to it, it's the fourth line! Not to diminish the importance, but the bulk of our playoff scoring has come from the top six forwards on the team. It's not like we lost Whitney and Staal. get with the program dude. Things, injuries, bad calls, non calls, happen.
Have these Canes player not taught you the power of positive thinking? There is no room here for such negativity from someone who calls themself a Canes fan.
There won't be a next round...
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 12:12 — CanES12TG6if we don't win this series! Going down 0-2 would be a huge deficit to try an overcome. We did however do that back in 2006 against Montreal. Tomorrow night is a must win in my opinion. Hopefully at least Cole will be able to play but I wonder how effective he will be?
Ruutu / Cole
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 12:05 — LainiencBetter that they rest and play on Sat. if possible. No need to push things and make it worse. They'll be needed in the potential next round.