Matt Karash: Game #34: Big win has Canes coming home happy

Peters saved your bacon last night. He is an mpressive looking goalie at the moment. Is he the #1 or more like a #1A?

I couldn't agree more with your comments on Peters. Every time he spits out a rebound or over plays a puck, I'm quick to say "here we go again". But those moments are becoming more the exception than the norm. I too had been cautious to flip that switch, but he's making it hard not to become a believer of late.

That being said, I'm still curious about Cam Ward's situation. Never at any point since he became a starter has any backup got this much playing time. When they showed shots of him last night, he was smiling, laughing and joking with the guys. He almost had this look of a guy that has accepted the backup role. Historically he has this serious look like he's almost pissed that he's not playing. That in itself is odd to me.

I think we have an interesting week ahead of us. 5 days off and 4 days before the holiday trade freeze. If Rutherford plans to make any changes, I think now could be the time. That would give any potential new player several days of practice with the new team before a game, something which is unheard of in this league.

The Canes came out with fire in there bellies after 3 frustrating losses which had to happen being on the road so long ,and revenge on there minds as well along with the Coyotes being a frustrating team to play against as was evident by Hainsey tried dropping the gloves after Vrbata threw a punch at him in a very chippy game overall which was Ruutu's kind of game ,and he seemed to keep the agitator cycle on high all game ,and was capped of by Staal slamming OEL to the ice after a cheap leg slash on the EN goal.

The lights out goal scoring from Skinner continued as he seems he can't miss the net even If he tries at the moment ,and is back to his rookie season scoring touch ,but with much better defensive skills than the past ,and as of late has been very strong with the puck in the offensive zone which I'm glad to see finally.

The surprising play of Ryan Murphy continues ,and I expect him to start making a bigger presence offensively as the season goes on and he gains more confidence playing teams for the second time and gets a feel on what there trying to do ,and the game slows down he can be a real threat to skate the puck coast to coast almost regularly as his deeks already are making good NHLer's look silly at times.

The absolute rock solid play of Justin Peter's has to be making his trade value go up and trading him getting tougher by the game ,and If I'm Muller he's #1 right now ,and Cam being 1a ,and Dobby 1b or switch those two If Dobby regains his form as he was in October then this could get very interesting ,If Ward sits long then the calls will come in about his availability in which I rate him Higher than Ryan Miller as he is signed for the same amount of money well Miller is 5k less at $6.25m ,and Cam is 4yrs younger ,and with more resume hardware.

The PP?..Shee-uuu it stinks ,so some help has to be brought in for that same players = same results ,and has cost the team points in which the SOL would be wins in regulation ,if the PP was even 15th or so. JR needs to come up with a top 6 forward preferably a 3rd line center then a puck moving Dman ,but only after a forward maybe at the deadline as the D is playing solid especially Sekera could be the team MVP right now ,so during the week of Bellemore will be back along with Lindholm ,so it looks like Nash will be on waivers back to Charlotte as the odd man out