Anybodyhome

My last game for about a month. Next game I have tickets for is Florida on 2/22. Headed out in about an hour. Supposed to be a rainy start to the game.

Canes under the radar, or, in case you haven't noticed... Necas playing defense? Believe it or not, since he's come back from injury, there has been a noticeable effort in his defensive game. Sure, couple brain farts here and there, but maybe he's finally figured out with his speed he's got a great back check. And his quick hands are snatching pucks off opposing sticks lately. Lemieux playing bodyguard? Is it just me or am I hearing his name more and seeing his game more? He has definitely ramped up his physical presence the last several games and has even brought some offense to the ice. He had a couple very good, strong, clean hits on Coyle and McAvoy in the Boston game and exchanged pleasantries with a few of the Devils as well. Chatfield gonna get paid? Guy might be one of the best 3rd pair d-men in the league. He's got the speed to nullify icing calls, make up ground and wins board battles. I love watching this kid play defense. Dude has a $762.5k salary and probably should be making TDA-level money ($1.7M). Question is, will the Canes pony up or will they try to keep Skjei and Pesce and sacrifice Chatty? Bunting moving in? Michael has 31 points and will likely match or exceed his 49 points from last season in Toronto. He may not be putting many pucks in the net with 10 goals, but his assist numbers will easily surpass last year's. He's quietly doing the work and, at the end of the season, I think we'll see a 55+ point season. Noesen playing to stay? Another guy on the roster who is showing up every game and grinding in front of the net and below the goal line more than anyone else not on the Staal line. He, like Chatty, is on the bottom of the salary food chain with his $762.5k salary. Another guy we have to ask- is he going to stay or will he be sacrificed to keep Martinook or Turbo?

https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2830537/report-jackets-will-listen-to-offers-for-laine-provorov It appears the Columbus Blue Jackets are open for business. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen is willing to listen to trade offers for forward Patrik Laine and defenseman Ivan Provorov, reports TSN's Darren Dreger. Teams are also very interested in captain Boone Jenner, but the Blue Jackets are highly unlikely to move him, Dreger added. Laine's season has been riddled by injuries and inconsistent play, as he's been limited to just six goals and three assists in 18 games. The sniping winger also had an unsuccessful stint playing center. The 2016 No. 2 pick averaged 37 goals per 82 games during the first four seasons of his career with the Winnipeg Jets. Since joining Columbus during the 2020-21 campaign, he's averaged 30 goals per 82 contests but hasn't played more than 56 games a season. The 25-year-old is signed through 2025-26 with an $8.7-million cap hit. Provorov, meanwhile, was just acquired this offseason from the Philadelphia Flyers as part of a three-way trade involving the Los Angeles Kings. He's recorded 23 points in 46 games for Columbus while logging 22:48 per contest. Provorov has produced strong underlying offensive numbers, but his defensive metrics have been poor. ----------------------------------------------------- Laine's game is something to behold when he's on, but what a trainwreck for a teammate. Any lockerroom he's in is a mess. Couple that with a very down season and the Jackets are carrying an $8.7M salary thru the 25-26 season. He's on IR now.

Saturday night with the Arizona Coyotes. Last game before the all-star break and the Canes currently riding a 2-game win streak against Boston and NJ. 15 points in their last 10 games (7-2-1) has them 2 points behind the Rags, who are visiting Ottawa tonight. The Rags are on a 2-game loser streak and are 3-6-1 in their last 10. Let's fire it up before heading into a much deserved break. Canes have a massive home ice advantage the rest of the season with a lot of home games. Harbs called the Aho opener against NJ: Anybodyhome- 4 Harbingers- 4 BY9Franchise- 3 Panthers Fan 69- 2 WelshPanther- 2 DamnitJake!- 2 DavidEng- 1 MillionDollarCam- 1 -------------------------------------------- I'm staying with Jarvis until he's the guy...

Rags and Pens both lose.

Have to give Raanta credit for his game last night. Neither of those goals were really on him. The first was just a very good play and pass to the man on the weak side. Both Chatfield and Orlov were caught too deep, Chatty was actually below the goal line and Orlov came in- nobody had Dowling standing 4' away. Orlov and Chatty both had their back to the puck when the pass was made. The 2nd... well... with 8 seconds left just hold the puck and freeze it on the boards or dump it cross ice and run the last 8 seconds off. That was on Necas. One other note... I did notice that Martin moves laterally much quicker than Raanta. His reflexes are quicker.

The b2b took its toll and the players looked pretty gassed with about 5 minutes left. Raanta has earned stars a couple times and the crowd is doing their best to encourage him and regain some confidence.

Raanta is in net tonite, I've read. After the newcomer Spencer Martin got the start last night in Boston, Antti Raanta is expected to have the green light tonight. Wednesday was the first time since January 11 that Raanta wasn't the starter for the Canes, a well-deserved break for the veteran netminder. The 34-year-old is 4-2-1 since the holiday break, including a stellar 38-save outing in a win over Pittsburgh on January 13. Game is on Bally tonite.

Oops... sorry... Anybodyhome- 4 Harbingers- 3 BY9Franchise- 3 Panthers Fan 69- 2 WelshPanther- 2 DamnitJake!- 2 DavidEng- 2 MillionDollarCam- 1

Following a huge win on the road in Boston, the Canes are back home to face the Devils in Raleigh. A back-to-back road and home 24 hours. I'd like to know who put that on the schedule. Anyway, Necas with a couple back-to-back opening goals himself. Let's see if the streak continues... Anybodyhome- 4 Harbingers- 3 BY9Franchise- 3 Panthers Fan 69- 2 WelshPanther- 2 DamnitJake!- 2 DavidEng- 1 MillionDollarCam- 1 --------------------------------------------------------- I'm gonna ride Jarvy for a while. He keeps getting close- dinged a post last night and actually got one through Ullmark's 5-hole past the pads, but was stopped in his skates.

Don't look now, but the Canes are 5-0-2 against Boston in their last 7 meetings.

Lemieux did work early to set the tone when he crushed McAvoy behind the net. Noesen stood up as well.

Huge win on many levels. Confidence of beating an excellent team. Minus a key player- Svech. Minus a 1, 2 or 3 goalie. With a PP that has been silent for a few games.

Bullshit call on Orlov.

This was a reach before the game started. 1 point is a win as far as I'm concerned.

Fug.

Same with Chatty.

6 minutes gone in the 3rd and the Canes are still in the lockerroom.

So, is Donnie Wads better at drafting or making deals?

Turbo got his stick between McAvoy's legs to make that shot. WOW!

Does that mean you're taking Noesen as well?

Following a poor showing against Minnesota last Sunday afternoon, the Canes limp into Boston without their best power forward and starting their 4th different goalie this season. As for scoring? Well, DamnItJake and BY9Franchise both added a point for correctly guessing Necas as the opening goal scorer. Anybodyhome- 4 Harbingers- 3 Panthers Fan 69- 2 WelshPanther- 2 BY9Franchise- 2 DamnitJake!- 2 DavidEng- 1 MillionDollarCam- 1 Just goes to show you anyone can get on the board! BY9 has made 2 correct picks on the ice for the Canes but still hasn't figured out the QB situation in Charlotte, according to his screen name...lol. ----------------------------------------------------- I'm going with Noesen tonite. If the Canes can score, it'll be a net front scrum.

The Sunday game against Minnesota was also a dream when the Rags and a couple other Metro teams lost. And the Canes failed to capitalize against a sub .500 team with one of the worst PKs on earth and a barely average goalie. So, pardon me if I'm not feeling very confident. The trademark of championship-caliber teams: you win the games you're supposed to and up the effort against the good teams.

Remember when these first came out and the retail price was in the $1500 range... in the mid to late 70's? The Vision Pro will likely be half the $4k asking proce in less than 2 years.

I think tomorrow is a bloodbath and Carolina is on the wrong side. The Boston Massacre all over again. NJ and Arizona should both be wins, but so we're LA and Minnesota.