Of the Canes losses in November, the team pretty much had no business winning any of them under any circumstances. We were just much worse or the other team was much better depending on how you want to look at it.
The 4-0 loss to the Habs a couple weeks back was the one game where despite the score, I think the game could have gone the other way. By now most people's memories are probably clouded over by frustration of walking out of the RBC Center after a 4-0 home loss.
But the game was actually one of those whose outcome teetered on the fence for a long time, but when it fell it fell hard.
Here is how I saw it:
-After playing the night before, the Canes came out with a very simple and committed game plan to get the puck deep, focus on puck possession/cycling and play as much as possible 200 feet from danger.
-They did this very successfully in the 1st period with a very solid effort and 3-4 great shifts from Belanger's grinding line with Ladd and Larose. At the end of 1, the Canes had carried the play and won all of the numbers: Shots 15-8, powerplays draw 2-1, offensive zone time, etc. But they had nothing to show for it with a 0-0 score.
-The team picked up where it left off in the 2nd again carrying the play, drawing 3 penalties including a 2-man advantage midway through the 2nd.
-But then it collapsed in a span of a couple minutes with a flukey deflection Habs shorthanded goal on a harmless shot followed almost immediately by a powerplay goal to make it quickly 2-0.
-What followed was more the norm for a tired team playing a back-to-back and gambling for goals rather than a reflection of the Canes play. They gave up 2 shorthanded goals in the 3rd both partly the result of taking chances to try to get back in the game.
So the game plan should be the same for tonight. And a bunch of individual conferences with Coach Laviolette yesterday should also help the jump out of the gate.
For me, this game is simple. Count the number of shifts where the play is "unpleasantness" - battles on the boards, the Canes getting the puck deep and cycling it, one on one battles, etc. Then count th shifts that are open ice "beauty." For all of the talent, speed and depth that Montreal brings at the forward position, they mostly do not bring size and grit (though they are bigger and more physical on the blueline which helps). If the Canes make them play a size and grit game, this is their game to aggressively take on home ice.
I will be a pregame homer and say it goes like this:
-Coach Laviolette's talks do help arouse the energy needed out of the gate.
-The Canes successfully return to the first 30 minutes of the last meeting and play a committed physical, puck possession game.
-Over time this wears on Montreal who eventually gives in with either a few defensive zone breakdowns and/or obstruction penalties.
-The Canes decent but streaky powerplay gets it done tonight to the tune of a couple goals.
-And voila!, Canes get a decent win against a good team.
-As long as I am trying to conjure up some kind of pregame positive vibe, I will also say that this game is right up Ladd's alley. After a healthy scratch a few games back and then decent play in limited minutes, the ball is on the tee for the kid to step forward tonight.
Hopefully, this adds positive karma and does not just jinx the home team.
Go Canes!
Carolina Hurricanes Blogger • 
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