Final Game of the Regular Season Thread: Puck Drop 7PM

[Anybodyhome]

"Ladies and Gentlemen" by Saliva

Ladies and gentlemen, please
Would you bring your attention to me?
For a feast for your eyes to see
An explosion of catastrophe

Like nothing you've ever seen before
Watch closely as I open this door
Your jaws will be on the floor
After this you'll be begging for more

Welcome to the show
Please come inside
Ladies and gentlemen!

Boom! (Do you want it?)
Boom! (Do you need it?)
Boom! (Let me hear it!)
Ladies and gentlemen!

Boom! (Do you want it?)
Boom! (Do you need it?)
Boom! (Let me hear it!)
Ladies and gentlemen!

Ladies and gentlemen, good evening
You've seen, and seeing is believing
Your ears and your eyes will be bleeding
Please check to see if you're still breathing

Hold tight 'cause the show is not over
If you will please move in closer
You're about to be bowled over
By the wonders you're about to behold here

Welcome to the show (Welcome to the show)
Please come inside
Ladies and gentlemen!

The Canes took care of business when they had to- a real gut check game in Madison Square Garden against a favored and chasing Ranger team who were looking to tie the top spot in the Metro as well as tie the regular season series.

Last Time Out: The Canes locked up their 2022 Metropolitan Division championship Tuesday night by hanging on for a win over the New York Rangers. Pyotr Kochetkov weathered an early storm for the team inside Madison Square Garden, aiding in a pivotal turning point in the game. Carolina was forced to kill off three penalties in a span of 7:04 and they did so successfully, then allowing them to pick up the game's momentum. Less than two minutes later they scored, kicking off a three-goal second period swing. Tack on an early third marker from Sebastian Aho and that would be all that the Canes needed to close the book.

Franchise History: In addition to locking up the number one seed in the Metro, the Canes also set two new records for the organization on Tuesday. The team picked up their 53rd win of the season and in turn their 113th and 114th points of the season, both new highs.

Five In A Row: Not to be overlooked, Carolina has also won five games in a row now, dating back to last Monday in Arizona. They've also scored 21 goals during that span, an uptick of their season average of 3.35 goals-per-game.

Kochetkov's Arrival: This time last week Pyotr Kochetkov had yet to play in an NHL game. Now, he's won his first three games in three appearances in four days. Kochetkov earned wins in starts over New Jersey and the New York Rangers, with a relief appearance victory in between over the New York Islanders. With 55 stops on 61 shots against thus far, the rookie has made waves around the league, emerging as the latest brick wall in net for Carolina. While an update on Frederik Andersen could come as soon as today, one of either Kochetkov or Antti Raanta is expected to start for the Canes this evening.

Let The Kid Cook: Rookie Seth Jarvis moved his career-long point streak to six games with an assist on the above Aho goal. Since March 17 he has recorded 19 points, which ties him with Aho for the team-lead. He is also just the second rookie since the franchise's relocation to have a point streak of six games or more. The other? Aho in 2017.

Playing The Full 60: The Canes have a league-best +45 goal differential in the third period thus far this season. Including a 11-2 ratio within the last week alone, the group has proven to never be out of games in the third, while at the same time displaying a killer instinct to put teams away.

A Look At The Other Side: The Devils enter their second-to-last regular season having lost their last four games played. Unfortunately they are also limping to the finish line of their season health-wise, as already without superstar Jack Hughes, they will not have P.K. Subban nor Nico Hischier tonight, both of whom did not travel due to non-COVID illnesses. AHL Utica's leading goal scorer, Alexander Holtz, has joined New Jersey in Carolina though, and could be a player to watch.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Milestones Within Reach: Vincent Trocheck is five points shy of 100 as a member of the Hurricanes.

What Are We Wearing?: The Canes will be wearing their red sweaters tonight.

LINEUP: A few guys sitting tonight and the lines are juggled all over the place.

Forwards:

Lorentz - Aho - Jarvis

Domi - Trocheck - Teravainen

Niederreiter - Stepan - Fast

Martinook - Kotkaniemi - Necas

Defensemen:

Cole - DeAngelo

Skjei - Pesce

Smith - Bear

Starting Goalie:

Raanta

Injuries:

Frederik Andersen

Scratches:

Jaccob Slavin

Jordan Staal

Andrei Svechnikov

 

[MillionDollarCam]

Feel like first line Lorentz is a way of Rod saying that he isn’t playing in the playoffs and this is a way to get him the most PT before he sits.

[Panthers Fan 69]

One rule and one rule only tonight. Finish healthy. 

[Harbingers]

Interesting Tro isn’t sitting concerning how Rod was on him being nicked up a few games ago. 

[Anybodyhome]

11 minutes ago, Harbingers said:

Interesting Tro isn’t sitting concerning how Rod was on him being nicked up a few games ago. 

I think Vinny, because he got his first game off of the season the other day, is now the defacto leader on the ice with the "C" (Staal) and one of the "A"s (Slavin) taking the night off. Be interested to see who is wearing the C and the other A.

[Anybodyhome]

32 minutes ago, MillionDollarCam said:

Feel like first line Lorentz is a way of Rod saying that he isn’t playing in the playoffs and this is a way to get him the most PT before he sits.

If Lorentz finds his physicality and starts playing heavier, he'd be a lot more effective. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that may not come until he's on someone else's roster.

[TrevorLaurenceTime22]

Lost in a lot of this is what a Down season for Marty Necas.... the good news is it makes him cheaper in a contract year.

[Panthers Fan 69]

30 minutes ago, TrevorLaurenceTime22 said:

Lost in a lot of this is what a Down season for Marty Necas.... the good news is it makes him cheaper in a contract year.

Facts. If 37 would have had the year he had this year …last year…it would have been muuuuch more expensive. 
 

but hey, Svech sucks right??? 

[TrevorLaurenceTime22]

2 minutes ago, Panthers Fan 69 said:

Facts. If 37 would have had the year he had this year …last year…it would have been muuuuch more expensive. 
 

but hey, Svech sucks right??? 

Yep 22 years old in the NHL is ancient! If you haven't hit your ceiling your trash!

[bigskypanthersguy]

Off to lead a watch party tonight as somewhat irrelevant as it will be.

Regardless, even if this is almost a preseason game tonight, go Canes!

[Anybodyhome]

11 minutes ago, bigskypanthersguy said:

even if this is almost a preseason game tonight, go Canes!

Wouldn't surprise me if they win again. The Devils are missing some key guys tonite as well.

[MillionDollarCam]

This game on one tv, draft on the other. Which one will make upset? Have a feeling it’s the one with the pigskin.

[TrevorLaurenceTime22]

18 minutes ago, MillionDollarCam said:

This game on one tv, draft on the other. Which one will make upset? Have a feeling it’s the one with the pigskin.

I gave up on caring about the Panthers until Rhule is gone.... I'm sure it will be an OT or Picket (hoping for picket just to watch the main board have a meltdown).

[Anybodyhome]

The NFL schedule has 17 games.

The NHL schedule has 80 games.

The Carolina Hurricanes have lost 20 games this season.

The Carolina Panthers have lost 23 games in the last 2 seasons.