Panthers @ Hurricanes Predictions, Chatter, Game Thread 2/17

[Harbingers]

Holy poo almost forgot we were playing the early game.

For the first time this season, the Carolina Hurricanes will square off with the Florida Panthers, a match-up of two teams each with 20 points in 13 games.

The Match-Up

Florida Panthers (9-2-2, 20 points) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (10-3-0, 20 points)

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 5 p.m.

Watch: FOX Sports Carolinas, FOX Sports GO

Listen: 99.9 FM The Fan, Hurricanes.com/Listen, Hurricanes app

https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/gameday-preview-florida-panthers-carolina-hurricanes/c-321484490

https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/projected-lineup-florida-panthers-carolina-hurricanes/c-321492682

It's been nearly a year since Vincent Trocheck was acquired by the Carolina Hurricanes, and for the first time, he's now set to face off against his former team.

Head coach Rod Brind'Amour said the Canes will not make any changes to their group of 18, while Alex Nedeljkovic is the likely starter in net.

GAME PREVIEW

Here is the projected lineup for the Hurricanes.

Forwards

McGinn-Aho-Teravainen
Niederreiter-Trocheck-Necas
Svechnikov-Staal-Foegele
Martinook-Paquette-Fast

Defensemen

Slavin-Hamilton
Gardiner-Pesce
Skjei-Bean

Goalies

Nedeljkovic
Reimer

Scratch: Fleury

Fleury still scratched. Doesn't seem like any changes besides Ned starting. Lets see how we do a 5 o' clock start. Hopefully we don't take 15-25:00 to get the engine going today.

[TrevorLaurenceTime22]

Ned ooooh 

[Harbingers]

For the football crossover fans.

[TrevorLaurenceTime22]

Ned looks so tiny in net.... he's listed at 6' but I would wager he's only 5'10

[kungfoodude]

Does anyone else have an erection?

[TrevorLaurenceTime22]

8 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

Does anyone else have an erection?

I see someone made a call to Marley Drug.

[Stumpy]

I feel like Bean's gonna get a little ribbing at practice with that little wipeout.

[Stumpy]

putting some pressure on after killing off that power play. 

[Harbingers]

5 minutes ago, Stumpy said:

I feel like Bean's gonna get a little ribbing at practice with that little wipeout.

A little but that PP was def not a tripping. That guy had the same issue as bean. That ice over there is slick I bet.

[Harbingers]

Ya I don't know what is up with this ice. Both teams are having issues with passes and shots. sometimes they look like they are hitting a wall of sludge.

[KillerKat]

Can someone educate me on lines. Staal and Svech were introduced as the 3rd line, but were out there for the opening puck drop. Wouldn't that make them the top line?

[Harbingers]

Their goalie likes to cover. We need to work on our face off scores.

[Harbingers]

Just now, KillerKat said:

Can someone educate me on lines. Staal and Svech were introduced as the 3rd line, but were out there for the opening puck drop. Wouldn't that make them the top line?

Staal is the best face off player on our team and one of the best in the league. So we start on our third line with him over having Aho take the opener. Aho and the first line then can be matched up better on home games like this versus a weak opponent line after the drop. As home teams get the last call on line changes.

Even with away games its better to open up strong with Staal try to win the face off and set the tone.

I'm sure someone else on here has a more concise explanation but its really to do with Staals FO ability.

[Harbingers]

How about that Staal. Holy poo. Perfect fugging aim right there.