Anybodyhome

"The Stankoven line could be a difference-maker. If they continue to play well against lower defensive pairs, it only adds to the depth of the team." As I stated in the other thread...

As I said...

Ehlers on Chabot...oooof....

Aho is not good 35 minutes into the game. Do not let these fuggers in after a late period penalty.

Good period. Little nerves showing, but okay. Tkachuck- such a tool. Just a special needs kinda guy.

Not so sure about that. Power plays were 9-5 against the Canes just in the last 3 games.

The intangible- refs.

Goaltending. How unpredictable Carolina's is versus how steady Ottawa's is. Everything, success and defeat in this post-season, will be based on goaltending.

I go as well, but skipping this year with the game time Saturday. If I was going to the game, I'd spend the day over there before the game. Always looking for a deal, but last year there wasn't much of anything for sale.

The Griot's Garage & Good Guys Car Show is on the fairgrounds Friday & Saturday. A lot of nice cars, a lot of 60s and early 70s muscle. I usually go, but the traffic and parking is going to be a nightmare with a hockey game going on.

My thoughts on Carolina's post-season run: Obviously, the season began with a below average Freddie Andersen and everyone hoping Kochetkov would pick up the slack, until he got hurt. Enter Brandon Bussi who had a made-for-TV movie type run until the end of the season, when he came crashing back to earth, his save % drops under .900 and the team needs to score 5-6 goals to win games. Freddie has shown signs of a resurgence and Bussi looked pretty good the last 2 games of the season, but both sample sizes are small and questions abound for all 3 goalies. The physicality of playoff hockey will take its toll. Save for a few players, the Canes best players are small, their top 2 lines are small and there's no getting around that. The only way to protect the size disadvantage is a strong forecheck. Allowing opposing teams to establish the offensive zone and create board battles with smaller players will hurt Carolina. The Stankoven line could be a difference-maker. If they continue to play well against lower defensive pairs, it only adds to the depth of the team. The Aho line had stretches of absenteeism during the season. The Canes cannot afford to have them dry up offensively and leave the scoring to Ehlers and the Stankoven line. If they aren't performing well, teams will simply roll their best lines out on the Canes best playing lines. If the Canes can get by Ottawa and get some help from Boston against Buffalo, I think they have a legit shot to make the finals. Make no mistake, I think their toughest challenges are Ottawa and Buffalo in the East.

Bussi looked calm tonite, unlike the last 5 weeks. Andersen owns a career .926 1st round save %. That said, this a tough match up.

Canes are making sure their goalie gets worked tonite.

Word is he wants to play as it helps him keep a rhythm going. Doesn't like sitting out.

Can the Canes just call up the entire Chicago team and play them? Honestly, tonite could look like the all-star game- no defense, no checks, no hits and no blocked shots.

To be fair, the NHL went to a 3v3 because of TV. So, if TV demanded a quicker and shorter OT game to determine the winner, why didn't the NHL adopt this for the playoffs? Like, when more people will likely be watching?

Also worth celebrating: no Washington, Florida, or Rags this post season.

Get rid of shootouts altogether. 5 minute OTs until someone wins. There is no reason regular season and playoff overtime should be different.

Miller was the best defensive player on the ice tonight.

Did Stank or Fly go in the shootout? WTF?

More than a break. The refs could have gone with a 2 min elbow call after watching the replay.

Philly is desperate and playing accordingly.

Freddie called dibs as the #1 goalie going to the post season. Bussi was good for 30 minutes.

Strong period against a team that needs 2 points to make the playoffs.

Canes only team in the league w/7 20+ goal scorers.