Panthers @ Hurricanes Games Thread 4/6-4/8

[Harbingers]

"The Carolina Hurricanes host the Central Division-leading Florida Panthers for a two-game set.

The Match-Up

Florida Panthers (26-9-4, 56 points) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (25-9-3, 53 points)

Tuesday, April 6, 7 p.m.

Watch: Bally Sports South, FOX Sports GO

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

Numbers to Know

3: Petr Mrazek returned to the crease and stopped all 28 shots he faced against Dallas on Sunday to record his third shutout in just five starts this season. Despite missing 31 games due to injury, Mrazek ranks tied for third in the NHL in shutouts, and his three alone are more than 16 other teams in the league have this season.

4: Vincent Trocheck has scored a goal in each of the four games against the Panthers this season. Trocheck is the only player in franchise history to score in his first four games against his former team after being traded since the league began tracking trades in 1991-92.

10: Trocheck has registered at least a point in each of his last 10 games played (5g, 8a).

The Opposition

Last five games: 5-0-0, 10 points
On the road: 12-5-1, 25 points
CAR vs. FLA: 3-0-1
Leading scorer: Jonathan Huberdeau, 42 points (14g, 28a) in 39 games

With 56 points through 39 games, the Panthers sit atop the league standings. Despite losing Aaron Ekblad to a left leg fracture that likely ends the defenseman's season (he's sidelined for 12 weeks following surgery), Florida has won six straight games, including four straight at home in the last week. The Panthers now hit the road for a season-long, six-game road trip that takes the team through Raleigh, Dallas and Tampa, a critical stretch as the top three teams jockey for playoff positioning in the Central Division."

https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/gameday-preview-florida-panthers-carolina-hurricanes/c-323296038

https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/projected-lineup-florida-panthers-carolina-hurricanes/c-323325518

"The Canes, who have two games in hand, trail the Panthers by three points in the standings enterting this two-game series. Morgan Geekie is expected to draw in on the fourth line with Brock McGinn sidelined by an upper-body injury. Petr Mrazek, who posted a 28-save shutout in his return on Sunday, is the projected starting goalie.

Here is the projected lineup for the Hurricanes.

Forwards

Svechnikov-Aho-Fast
Martinook-Trocheck-Necas
Niederreiter-Staal-Foegele
Paquette-Lorentz-Geekie

Defensemen

Slavin-Hamilton
Skjei-Pesce
Fleury-Bean

Goalies

Mrazek
Nedeljkovic

Scratch: Reimer

Injury: McGinn (upper body), Teravainen (concussion symptoms; injured reserve)

Taxi squad: Gardiner, Keane, McCormick"

I really hope we keep it physical tonight. We need to get up early and rule the neutral zone. Both their goalies have been good but Drieger has quietly crept up the rankings the past stretch to close to the top league goalie list. Following their past trend though I suspect we will see Bobrovsky tonight and Drieger Thursday.

 

I like going back to Mrazek. Keeps Ned Hungry.

Full interviews here.

 

Edited April 6, 2021 by Harbingers

[Anybodyhome]

Skjei and Bean have both played quietly, but exceptionally well the past 3-4 games.

And Aho's stick the last 2 minutes of the Dallas game when they went to an extra attacker was a sight to behold.

Little things like these will win important games down the stretch.

[Harbingers]

8 minutes ago, Anybodyhome said:

Skjei and Bean have both played quietly, but exceptionally well the past 3-4 games.

And Aho's stick the last 2 minutes of the Dallas game when they went to an extra attacker was a sight to behold.

Little things like these will win important games down the stretch.

I had my doubts Bean would really reach the next level of potential earlier this season but damn was I wrong. He still needs a whole lot of polish but to have this wealth of defensive depth is fun. 

Edited April 6, 2021 by Harbingers

[Harbingers]

 

Edited April 6, 2021 by Harbingers

[Harbingers]

Yep as expected.

[TrevorLaurenceTime22]

Hope we smoke them, FL fans have been insufferable.

[Harbingers]

2 minutes ago, TrevorLaurenceTime22 said:

Hope we smoke them, FL fans have been insufferable.

Gotta keep it solid tonight cause they’ll have drieger In net and probably Duclair back Thursday. We got to set the tone early and not let them get behind our defense so easily like the past few times. 

[Popsickle]

Buckle up boys, we are in for a game. 

[Stumpy]

Oh Fukov!

[Popsickle]

Looks like it with off the guy with an “A”.  For the A

Edited April 6, 2021 by Popsickle

[Stumpy]

42 minutes ago, Harbingers said:

We got to set the tone early and not let them get behind our defense so easily like the past few times. 

About that...

[Stumpy]

Svech has gotta be smarter than that. 

[Stumpy]

I get the feeling FLA is gonna really test this #1 ranked PK.

[Popsickle]

Hope Tro is good. Let’s get one here