On the Beat: Cole in, Ruutu out and the Blackhawks’ defense

What team beat writers are saying this afternoon:

Playoff teams:

• Erik Cole is going to suit up tonight for Carolina.  Don’t you feel he’s due for a goal tonight?????
• Cole may be in, but Tuomo Ruutu will not be.  They’ll miss his physical presence.
• Duncan Keith and Nikolai Khabibulin sat out practice for Chicago today.  Just resting apparently.
• Dave Staples echoes many of the same sentiments from last night’s IC Radio Show regarding the mistakes by the Blackhawks’ defensemen.  Good piece.

Non-playoff teams:

• Are the Ducks still Scott Niedermayer’s first priority?  I’d say probably yes, but Vancouver and the Olympics in his home province could prove enticing.
• Phil Kessel’s shoulder surgery has been deemed successful.  Good news.
• Ken Hitchcock has been watching a lot of video.  He’s one of the best for a reason.
• There is reason to be optimistic Stars fans.  Jamie Benn has been pretty darn impressive.