Game 23: Carolina Hurricanes (13-8-1) vs. Montreal Canadians (14-5-4)

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

The Carolina Hurricanes are back at it again tonight as they host the Eastern Conference leading Canadians from Montreal. The boys will be looking to rid themselves of the lackluster performance that they displayed in the previous game against Montreal.

Things are looking up for the Canes as of lately, they are riding a four game winning streak and injuries are starting to heal. Tim Brent skated with the team this morning and both him and Joni Pitkanen could be back as soon as Saturday.

The bad news for the Canes is that the flu epidemic has begun to make its rounds among the team. The Canes have even gone to the locker room white board to draw attention to the virus that has swept the team, reading "Please wash your hands. It's still flu season, isn't it". Dan Ellis finally ate solid food yesterday and is feeling better but still remains out and during today's morning skate; Riley Nash was sent home with flu-like symptoms. Jussi Jokinen is will take over for Nash and center the third line whereas Jeremy Welsh (who the Canes called up this afternoon) will center the fourth line.

The Canes will go with the following line-up today (as of right now)

Jiri Tlusty - Eric Staal - Alexander Semin

Jeff Skinner - Jordan Staal - Patrick Dwyer

Drayson Bowman - Jussi Jokinen - Tim Wallace

Brett Sutter - Jeremy Welsh - Kevin Westgarth

Jay Harrison - Justin Faulk

Tim Gleason - Joe Corvo

Bobby Sanguinetti - Jamie McBain

Justin Peters

Dan Ellis (flu)

Inactive: none

Injured: Joni Pitkanen (lower body), Chad LaRose (concussion), Riley Nash (flu-like symptoms), Tim Brent (lower body) Cam Ward (MCL), Tuomo Ruutu (hip)

As we shift our attention to Montreal, the Canadians goaltender Carey Price has struggled of late allowing 12 goals on his last 59 shots and is sure to face a rash of pressure from the Sweet TEA (Tlusty - Eric - Semin) line tonight.

As far as injuries go, the Canadians will be without Raphael Diaz, Rene Bourque, and Petteri Nokelainen.

Season Statistics

• Eric Staal and Alexander Semin are 1st in +/- rating at +17
  
• Dan Ellis is 2nd in goals against with 12
  
• Eric Staal is 3rd in game winning goals with 4
  
• Eric Staal is 4th in points with 28
  
• Jiri Tlusty is 5th in +/- rating at +15
  
• Eric Staal is 6th in goals with 12
  
• Dan Ellis is 7th in save percentage at .923%
  

LET'S GO CANES!!!

[Munch4455]

Big big game tonight. Best team we beat all year was Pittsburgh but that was without Malkin in the lineup. This will be the biggest test of the season to see how well the team is playing. Winning against lesser teams like Florida and Buffalo is nice, but to go far in the playoffs we need to consistently beat high quality teams like this. We will really get to see what Justin Peters is made of tonight. Go Canes!

[carpanfan96]

A win tonight would be huge. GO CANES!!!!

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

I had to make an update, Brent is back on IR (retroactive February 28th), he could play Saturday.

[Munch4455]

I had to make an update, Brent is back on IR (retroactive February 28th), he could play Saturday.

What happened to Dalpe?

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Out for most of the season. When he was sent back down, he got hurt.

[Sapper]

In before 'Dammit Tuomo'. Watching tonight like it's the playoffs - Canes need this.

[iamcline]

Damnit, Nash is out?! GRRRRrrr....

[Stumpy]

We need to pepper Price early. Don't let him build any confidence.

[KillerKat]

In before 'Dammit Tuomo'. Watching tonight like it's the playoffs - Canes need this.

I'd like to know what Ruutu's IQ is. It is completely dumb to wait so long for him to have surgery. He has all offseason and during the lockout.

[Stumpy]

fuging Bowman... ughh...

[Stumpy]

Really? Wtf?

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Struggling early tonight.

[Stumpy]

That was a bitch move by Weber. Shouldn't have been a penalty on Staal for sticking up for Skinman.