Matt Karash: Hurricanes Game Day Preview: @Isles -- Battle for 2nd in the Metro

Good analysis Matt. One thing for sure Sekera has to have a bounce back game because he was caught out of position a few times pinching in and allowing 2 on ones the other way. Hope Murphy can keep building on his last couple of fine outings. Besides Tavares the key guy to watch is Grabner, he is flat out the fastest guy in the league. The D will have to really watch him because he is a breakaway machine. The Isles will give 100 percent you can count on that. J. Bailey has finally broken out this year as well. Lots to like about the Isles so I hope Captain Kirk has the Canes ready to go. Ruutuu has to stay out of the box or Johnny T will light it up. I predict Semin will end his season long slump with a pair of tallies. Looks like a 5-4 game to me, could go either way.

Tavares has a history of torching the Canes. If they can keep him off the score sheet I like the Canes chance of grabbing two points.

Tavares has a history of torching the Canes. If they can keep him off the score sheet I like the Canes chance of grabbing two points.
- Barbecued Hockey

Whats the Isles record against the canes the past 2 years? For that reason alone I think the tides may change this game and the canes may win. It should be a great game nonetheless and having the canes and Isles make the playoffs while teams like Devils Rags Flyers miss out would be sweet.

Whats the Isles record against the canes the past 2 years? For that reason alone I think the tides may change this game and the canes may win. It should be a great game nonetheless and having the canes and Isles make the playoffs while teams like Devils Rags Flyers miss out would be sweet.
- mighty13duck

That would be so sweet, the Rangers especially for me followed closely by the Devils. Realistically I think all three of those teams do not have much chance of a recovery and they WILL miss the playoffs.

Good analysis Matt. One thing for sure Sekera has to have a bounce back game because he was caught out of position a few times pinching in and allowing 2 on ones the other way. Hope Murphy can keep building on his last couple of fine outings. Besides Tavares the key guy to watch is Grabner, he is flat out the fastest guy in the league. The D will have to really watch him because he is a breakaway machine. The Isles will give 100 percent you can count on that. J. Bailey has finally broken out this year as well. Lots to like about the Isles so I hope Captain Kirk has the Canes ready to go. Ruutuu has to stay out of the box or Johnny T will light it up. I predict Semin will end his season long slump with a pair of tallies. Looks like a 5-4 game to me, could go either way.
- flyerdude17

While i agree with nearly everything you say, i suspect the score will be lower...especially the Isles. The Canes team D is much improved this year! Tavares could STILL score three...but this could be the game that the Canes pot 4-6 goals...with Skinner, Semin, E.Staal all lighting the lamp, IMO!
LOOKING FORWARD to this!

While i agree with nearly everything you say, i suspect the score will be lower...especially the Isles. The Canes team D is much improved this year! Tavares could STILL score three...but this could be the game that the Canes pot 4-6 goals...with Skinner, Semin, E.Staal all lighting the lamp, IMO!
LOOKING FORWARD to this!
- randycane

Tavares isn't the only one scoring. Bailey, Grabner, and Frans have all been scoring this year. The Canes may score 4 goals, but if the islanders offense is having a good night, it may be a 5-4 type game. Either team can win tonight.

Just updated blog to reflect fact that Chip Alexander from the News & Observer is reporting that Mike Komisarek will start on D in place of Brett Bellemore. The players change, but I think the situation is exactly the same with a likely preferred matchup of Isles 1st line versus Canes 2nd D pairing key to the game.