from The Hurricanes website,Since Frederik Andersen returned on March 7, the Canes have gone with a rotation of him and Pyotr Kochetkov between the pipes. With Kochetkov having played on Tuesday, it feels likely that Andersen will get the nod this evening.Andersen is 6-0 since returning from a blood-clotting issue earlier this month, allowing just eight total goals in those games.His .951 SV% since 3/7 is the best among all NHL netminders who have played in a minimum of five games.

more, a bit on the Wings but mostly all Carolina talk...

At this point you have to wonder what Justin Holl plans to do in the off season. He played 80 games for the Leafs last year. He probably wont play 40 for the Wings this year. It would appear that he has been passed by Edvinsson on the depth chart. I dont imagine he is comfortable always being the healthy scratch. Does he ask for a trade? Does he do the Zadina and go the waiver and contract termination route?

Bad move by Lalonde. Switch Raymond and Perron to the second line. And then insert Sprong into the lineup.

Nine minutes with Raymond and Lalonde after the morning skate.

I dont really know what that big issue with Sprong is other than his contract makes him an easy mark.   Perhaps its his defensive inadequacies but hes far from the only guilty party there.  One thing I do know hes got a hell of a lot more upside than four or five of the human pylons that have been in the lineup lately.  

Is Lyon in?

This could get ugly tonight.🤔

So we aren't scoring enough so we sit Sprong....

Walman is not a good enough D partner for Seider and is really a 3/4D.

Edv should replace Maata 

Agreed. I'd sit Fabri for Sprong. He's been invisible for a long time.

from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,

Czarnik has played all eight games since being called up, and with Larkin back in. Sprong went minus-four March 12 in Buffalo, was scratched the next game on March 14, then played the next three games ranging from 10 to 11 minutes of ice time, with a combined plus-one rating and no shots on net the last two games.

Sprong has 17 goals and 40 points this season, with a minus-four rating. But Lalonde likes the balance of the lineup with Czarnik, a natural center (Sprong is right wing), and the way the Wings' forwards collectively have played the last three games.

"It's just our team game," Lalonde said of the way the Wings have looked. "We're 1-1-1 in our last three against real good competition. But it doesn't take a hockey expert to see our game has been pretty good, and our starts have been great. Walking through some numbers before (Thursday's) meeting, we've given up two chances (each of the three games) and we haven't given up a goal in the first period. The team game right now, with our current 12 forwards, is good."

Lalonde's message to Sprong has been simple.

"Stay with it," Lalonde said. "He's available and ready. Just stay with it and he'll get an opportunity here soon."...

"Responsible minutes," Lalonde said of what Czarnik has provided. "He can skate, he's a true center and he has some hockey sense to his game. Not only is he not giving up offense, he's been part of a line (with Veleno and Robby Fabbri) that is producing some offense. They're coming out of these games every night with three or four (offensive) chances and maybe one against, so he's brought stability and maybe some predictability to our group."

more ($)

I agree with Sprong playing as well. Youre running out of options, Coach.

The problem with Fabbri and Sprong switching is that Sprong is a defensive liability and the Wings are sacrificing offense to get at least tie points.

If Sprong becomes the defensive player Lalonde wants, it will be at the expense of his offense. Either way he loses. He is gone after the season.