Gleason, etc.
Jan 13, 2009
Good morning from Canada's capital, where the local team is reeling and the enemy coming in needs a win in the worst way. More snow on the horizon as we have spent at least the last month in the throes of winter. We hear that it will be downright "northern like" as far as the chill goes in Raleigh when we get home. You guys are probably not used to it, but don't fret we are. Here are some quick notes for tonight's game.
Gleason...
Look for defenseman Tim Gleason to play tonight. He worked out his lower body (calf/ankle) well before his mates yesterday. Then he got through a 68-minute practice. He was all smiles afterward and was walking fine. My instincts tell me that he won't miss this one. The Hurricanes certainly need the "glue" he brings to their room and on the ice.
Lines...
No changes were made yesterday to the forward lines. It does not appear that Paul Maurice will make any adjustments, nor add Wade Brookbank to his line-up. The coach likes to run his lines for a bit for making any changes and he is just a couple games into the Rod Brind'Amour/Matt Cullen flip-flop. I will say the Canes might have to look at a change in the toughness area. It seems "words out" around the league and team's are starting to test the Hurricanes physical dimension game in and game out.
Practice...
It was hard hour-plus practice here yesterday. The Canes worked very hard on generating offense. They did what most teams do when they are struggling to "light the lamp." Drive the net hard and get shots directed at the net in a simple fashion. Let me say this, it was a work in progress. When the Canes struggle offensively they seem to rely on their skill set and overhandle and overpass the puck. At times that was evident in yesterday's practice.
An angry lot....
They have a goaltender with a handful of NHL experience. Another who we know well in the seats not playing. A top line that doesn't produce. A coach on the hot seat. A GM dealing from weakness they may be about to lose his job. And a fan base that has given up. That about sums up where the opponents are for tonight's tilt. They will play their best game in a while tonight and we all know the Canes have to do the same.
Welcome to "Something has to Give Night "!
