Cole skates, Ruutu still out

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Erik Cole joined his teammates on the Mellon Arena ice for the Carolina Hurricanes' morning skate today, suggesting the injured forward may be healthy enough to play in tonight's Game 2 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

But fellow Carolina forward Tuomo Ruutu, who also was listed by the team as "day-to-day" after his Game 1 was cut short by a lower-body injury, did not skate with the team this morning.

Ruutu was standing in front of the Pittsburgh net Monday night when Penguins defenseman Mark Eaton hit him from behind. No penalty was assessed on Eaton.

Cole's injury stemmed from a knee-to-knee hit he took from the Pens' Matt Cooke in the third period of Pittsburgh's 3-2 win Monday.

With either ? or both ? forward sidelined tonight, the Hurricanes could turn to Dwight Helminen, Patrick Dwyer or Michael Ryan as a replacement.



UPDATE, 12:41 p.m.: Cole and Dwyer will be in the lineup tonight, the N&O has learned. Ruutu is out but could return Saturday.

 

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The Canes don't have many adjustments to make as they reflect on their Game 1 effort. They would like to get more shots through from the points with traffic in front of Fleury. They have looked at some video to upgrade their forecheck as Pittsburgh's breaks out of their zone.

They would like to amp up physical play (mind you they could be without their top two physical forwards) but still have to be mindful to walk that discipline line as to not give the Pens too many PP chances.

Their PK positioning was outstanding. Sure, they allowed the GWG on the power play, but that's a shot Cam Ward would stop given another chance.

For the Canes, their biggest upgrade tonight will have to be in the Pittsburgh zone. They have to continue to "cycle" the Ptittsburgh defense right into the ice. By making them "chase," they will be able to generate plenty of chances. The players are convinced of that.

Then, when those opportunities arise, the team realizes they were too cute in certain sequences. If you hear the players say after this one that "it was kept simple," the Canes will accomplish what they have done throughout the playoffs: win game number two.