Seidenberg providing big hits

RALEIGH -- When he was pounded into the boards from behind Monday night, Dennis Seidenberg was cut over his right eye. He's not sure what cut him, whether it was the bottom edge of his visor or just smashing into the glass.

But it's likely the Carolina Hurricanes defenseman was a target after pounding Brian Sutherby into the end boards during the first period of the 5-0 win over the Washington Capitals.

Lately, Seidenberg has been doing more hitting than getting hit.

Since Niclas Wallin was lost to groin and shoulder injuries, Seidenberg has stepped into the lineup and given the Hurricanes another physical presence on the blue line. Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette called Seidenberg's performance in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Florida Panthers "maybe his best in a Carolina uniform."

Of all the things a player can hear from his coach, that's near the top.

"It's definitely satisfying," Seidenberg said. "But at the same time, I have to play every game like it was, not my last, but if my spot was in danger. Every game."

There's an old sports cliche about injuries creating opportunities for other players. Usually, that's what a coach says when he has four defensemen on the shelf. In Seidenberg's case, it rings true.

Despite playing in only nine of Carolina's 15 games, the 26-year-old German is tied for the team lead among defensemen in points with four and is tied for third in plus/minus at plus-6.

"There's a couple good things about Dennis," Laviolette said. "One, you can utilize him on the power play. Two, he can skate and three, he brings a real physical presence out there. He's one guy who can really thump somebody. He's one of the stronger guys on our team. We have big, strong defensemen, but he's a hitter. The opponent knows when they've gotten hit by Dennis."

He came into camp as the seventh defenseman and stayed there, getting into the lineup here and there before tweaking his knee on Oct. 11. That knocked him out for two weeks, but when Wallin hurt his groin, Seidenberg found himself back in the lineup.

It didn't take him long to make an impact. In the past four games, he has two assists and is plus-2.

"It took me a game," Seidenberg said. "I didn't feel that comfortable with the puck. I just kept building on it, trying to play physical. That's been working out."

Such is the life of the extra defenseman. Mike Commodore knows all about it. He spent most of his career in that role, before winning a regular spot on the Carolina blue line late in the 2005-06 season.

"It is tough," Commodore said. "Especially when you're healthy and you feel good, you want to play but you just have to be patient, that's all. We have an older [defensive] corps here and [Wallin] has a history with his groin, once a year here and there since I've been here.

"You just have to be patient, wait your turn and make the most of your opportunity. He's done a great job."