Say this much for Penguins winger Aleksey Morozov: He's due.
| Scouting Report |
| Carolina Hurricanes Record: 33-28-8-3, 77 pts Arena: Raleigh Entertainment & Sports Arena (18,730) Coach: Paul Maurice Leading scorers: Jeff O'Neill (35 goals, 21 assists), Ron Francis (13 goals, 43 assists) Probable goaltender: Arturs Irbe (32-25-8, 2.38 goals-against average, .912 save percentage) Notable: The Hurricanes have won three consecutive games, allowing just one goal. ... Former Penguin Kevin Hatcher is the only Hurricanes defenseman with a plus-rating (plus 1). |
Penguins coach Ivan Hlinka wants to see if playing beside Jagr will spark Morozov's dormant offensive skills.
'We already talked for a long time about Morozov, his talent,' Hlinka said. 'He's not a fourth-line guy. Now he has a chance to show his talent and a chance to do something for the team.'
Morozov, who was as surprised as anyone with the move, has averaged just 9 minutes, 50 seconds per game this season and has spent most of his time lately on the fourth line or in the press box. He has been a healthy scratch in eight of the past 18 games.
'It'll be great for Alex,' Mario Lemieux said. 'He hasn't played much this year, obviously, and he's not a fourth-line guy. He has to go out there and get his 15-18 minutes a game. He's got a lot of talent. He's a great skater, he's got a great shot, and we have to give him a chance.'
The first time Morozov played with Jagr - in the 1997-98 season opener against the Los Angeles Kings - he took Jagr's nifty pass and scored his first NHL goal.
'My first shift, my first goal,' Morozov recalled. 'It was a great time. Maybe it's coming back (tonight).'
Nobody thought Morozov would score only 34 more goals in his next 267 games, but that is exactly what transpired. Many thought he'd be gone by this year's trade deadline. He has been waiting patiently for another chance. Now he gets it.
'It's always easy to play with Jags, because you play more in the offensive zone, because he brings the puck in,' Morozov said. 'You just need to go to the net, help him.'
Tough match
Carolina is 2-0 against the Penguins this season, having won twice at Mellon Arena (3-2 on Oct. 18, 3-1 on Nov. 22). Sparked by goaltender Arturs Irbe, the Hurricanes have won three consecutive games and have given up just one goal in the process. As of yesterday, they were four points ahead of the Boston Bruins for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Hurricanes have the league's best home penalty killing percentage (89.7 percent) and have killed off 30 consecutive power plays overall. They were 4-for-4 in a 1-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday.
'We all seem to be reading off one another,' forward Jeff Daniels told reporters after the game. 'Special teams are a big part of the game right now, heading into the playoffs. Usually your best penalty killer is a goalie, and (Irbe) made some big saves tonight.'
It helps that the Hurricanes have a couple of outstanding faceoff men in Rod Brind'Amour and Ron Francis. Carolina is only six points behind the Penguins for sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
From Russia, with gloves
Penguins players Darius Kasparaitis and Alexei Kovalev were among the eight players named to the Russian Olympic team Thursday. Both played on the silver medal-winning Russian team in 1998 at Nagano.
Kasparaitis, who is Lithuanian, said he was surprised to be picked.
'Usually, they pick the guys by their skills,' he said. 'It's an honor for me.'
Kasparaitis would welcome the chance to play against Lemieux, whom he hounded in the 1993 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
'I'm going to make him think before he touches the puck,' Kasparaitis said with a laugh. 'No, it's going to be a bigger ice surface, more skating than hitting. Mario will feel good on that surface because he has more room to play. But I play the game hard, and whatever happens, happens.'
Sold out
Tonight will mark another example of Lemieux's drawing power, as the Carolina Hurricanes will record their seventh sellout of the season at the Raleigh Entertainment & Sports Arena.
Asked if it was Fan Appreciation Night, a Hurricanes official said, 'Not really. It's kind of Mario Lemieux Night.' It will mark the 38th consecutive Penguins game to sell out since Lemieux came out of retirement on Dec. 27.
Hurricanes' attendance is up about 5 percent this season, though they still average a fewer than 13,000 fans per game, second-lowest in the NHL (New York Islanders). The NHL on Wednesday committed to bring an NHL draft to Raleigh by 2005 and, conditionally, an NHL All-Star Game.
On March 28, the Hurricanes will announce their plan to increase their season-ticket base from 6,000 to 12,000, according to the Raleigh News & Observer.
Injury update
Penguins winger Krzysztof Oliwa (pulled hamstring) did not make the trip and does not expect to skate until Monday. Left winger Josef Beranek (bruised thigh) did not practice yesterday and is doubtful. Ian Moran (thumb) and Janne Laukkanen (knee) both practiced and expect to be available for duty before the end of the regular season. Left winger Rene Corbet (foot) remains out of action.
