GDT: 30-03-2017: Blue Jackets at Canes

[Stickpucker]

Getting this out a little early so Lempo and our other friends across the pond have a place to talk about the game. But talk is cheap and the time for talking is over.

The Canes point streak faces its toughest test facing Columbus. Hopefully, with them playing again tomorrow at Chicago, we see the back-up goalie and not Bobrovsky. .935 Save % and 1.97 GAA for Bob?

## you're up again

 

[Stickpucker]

Damn what a win, we really needed this one!

This team is playing hard, and they are finding a way to win, I love it!

This game was pretty much 50/50 and usually we lose these one`s especially in OT, but came out with 2 points! This feels so good

And say what you want about Hanifin, since Hainsey has been gone, he has played his best hockey yet, and it`s great to see!

# Hainsdoggo the pox
## free hanny

 

[the halleJOKEL]

watching them celebrate after that ot goal was so good

seeing the kids so fired up makes me actually excited for next season

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Just for reference, here are the remaining games. Bold are head to heads games.

OTTAWA 91 PTS (6 GR) @WPG, @ DET, VS DET, @ BOS, VS NYR, @ NYI
TORONTO 89 PTS (6 GR) @ DET, @ BUF, VS WASH, VS TB, VS PIT, VS CBJ
BOSTON WC2 88 PTS (5 GR) VS FLA, @ CHI, VS TB, VS OTT, VS WSH
TAMPA 85 PTS (6 GR) VS MTL, VS DAL, @ BOS, @ TOR, @ MTL, VS BUF
CAR 84 PTS (6 GR) VS DAL, @ PIT, @ MIN, VS NYI, VS STL, @ PHI

Canes are the only team of the group that can't control their own destiny.

 

[the halleJOKEL]

Just for reference, here are the remaining games. Bold are head to heads games.

OTTAWA 91 PTS (6 GR) @WPG, @ DET, VS DET, @ BOS, VS NYR, @ NYI
TORONTO 89 PTS (6 GR) @ DET, @ BUF, VS WASH, VS TB, VS PIT, VS CBJ
BOSTON WC2 88 PTS (5 GR) VS FLA, @ CHI, VS TB, VS OTT, VS WSH
TAMPA 85 PTS (6 GR) VS MTL, VS DAL, @ BOS, @ TOR, @ MTL, VS BUF
CAR 84 PTS (6 GR) VS DAL, @ PIT, @ MIN, VS NYI, VS STL, @ PHI

Canes are the only team of the group that can't control their own destiny.

no 3 pt games pls

 

[Joe McGrath]

At least the Bruins finish the schedule before the Canes final 2 games start. Will know if there's a chance or not before becoming invested in the final 2.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Right now, the Canes are basically playing with house money. They have nothing to lose so can play free and loose with no pressure, which I think makes it a bit easier.

 

[MinJaBen]

Just for reference, here are the remaining games. Bold are head to heads games.

OTTAWA 91 PTS (6 GR) @WPG, @ DET, VS DET, @ BOS, VS NYR, @ NYI
TORONTO 89 PTS (6 GR) @ DET, @ BUF, VS WASH, VS TB, VS PIT, VS CBJ
BOSTON WC2 88 PTS (5 GR) VS FLA, @ CHI, VS TB, VS OTT, VS WSH
TAMPA 85 PTS (6 GR) VS MTL, VS DAL, @ BOS, @ TOR, @ MTL, VS BUF
CAR 84 PTS (6 GR) VS DAL, @ PIT, @ MIN, VS NYI, VS STL, @ PHI

Canes are the only team of the group that can't control their own destiny.

Looking at the remaining games and the point spread...I think we have a better chance of catching Toronto than Boston. We are only four behind Boston, but because of tie breakers, need five points, which is the same for Toronto as well. And Toronto's last four games are brutal...they could easily drop all four.

 

[The Faulker 27]

It sucks we don't control our own destiny but I never thought we'd be in a position to have a destiny this season. What they've been able to do is impressive.

 

[GoCanes2013]

Looking at the remaining games and the point spread...I think we have a better chance of catching Toronto than Boston. We are only four behind Boston, but because of tie breakers, need five points, which is the same for Toronto as well. And Toronto's last four games are brutal...they could easily drop all four.

Unless those 4 teams have already locked in their playoff/home ice positions and rest stars or play backup goalies. Let's hope not.

 

[MinJaBen]

Unless those 4 teams have already locked in their playoff/home ice positions and rest stars or play backup goalies. Let's hope not.

True, but Boston is playing Chicago, Ottawa, and Washington which may also be in those same situations, so it is not a given that it affects the quality of play each team will face.

 

[RodTheBawd]

Brett Pesce, in my opinion, was the best player on our team tonight. I'm not sure he lost a board battle, his clears were all timely, and he's just so damn solid. Justin Faulk saved at least 2 goals tonight even though I'd say Cam played quite well.

Nope. Jeffrey, hands down. He was the only threat all night, all over the ice. I catch myself whining a bit when he goes to the "I'll do it all on my own" playstyle, but mother ****er if it hasn't paid off in this stretch.

CBJ is a really well coached, balanced team. Incredible top 4 D, and a great assortment of underrated forwards. It's frustrating as hell to play against, but Torts knows what he's doing with those guys.

My biggest worry is how much these guys still have in the tank. I know Tripp mentioned it at some point, but did they ever roll out the 4th line in the 3rd? I realize he doesn't have much choice since they have to run the table, but I really hope they can continue to dig deep.

It was great to see a decent crowd on a Thursday night against a team like CBJ, I hope Saturday is a near sellout, this team deserves it.

 

[Dishface]

My biggest worry is how much these guys still have in the tank. I know Tripp mentioned it at some point, but did they ever roll out the 4th line in the 3rd? I realize he doesn't have much choice since they have to run the table, but I really hope they can continue to dig deep

This is my fear as well, but they pulled out all the stops so far. Big test against Pitt Sunday on the back end of a back to back. Whatever happens in the end, I'm just glad we are getting to see good hockey again.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I figure there's not much point keeping anything in the tank.

Come to think of it, part of the problem in the recent past is that we've been out of contention so early that the players had no real incentive to leave it all on the table. We had guys (not naming names here) who were visibly cutting corners in the physical exertion department. This kind of atmosphere is different. You don't want to be the guy who half-***** it and burns the team.

So in a sense, I kind of hope they are on empty at this point, or at least very close to it. It's good for them to know what that feels like, get used to it, and know how to manage themselves physically from April to March so that when we get to this time of year they're ready to hit the next level.

 

[NotOpie]

i enjoyed watching this in person

Nope. Jeffrey, hands down. He was the only threat all night, all over the ice. I catch myself whining a bit when he goes to the "I'll do it all on my own" playstyle, but mother ****er if it hasn't paid off in this stretch.

CBJ is a really well coached, balanced team. Incredible top 4 D, and a great assortment of underrated forwards. It's frustrating as hell to play against, but Torts knows what he's doing with those guys.

My biggest worry is how much these guys still have in the tank. I know Tripp mentioned it at some point, but did they ever roll out the 4th line in the 3rd? I realize he doesn't have much choice since they have to run the table, but I really hope they can continue to dig deep.

It was great to see a decent crowd on a Thursday night against a team like CBJ, I hope Saturday is a near sellout, this team deserves it.

The fact that Skinner played well, and that's not in dispute, doesn't change the fact that Pesce, to me was our best player on the ice. Just a simple difference of opinion.

 

[raynman]

Isn't it great when you can't really decide who the best player on the ice was? Seems like for a while it's only been one guy stepping up, now it's several.

 

[Bunch of Jurcos]

Another point to consider is the level of youth on the team. I think if the team was a few years older they may be on empty but they're extremely young. They may actually be in a decent position compared to the other teams we're fighting against in that department.

 

[RodTheBawd]

Another point to consider is the level of youth on the team. I think if the team was a few years older they may be on empty but they're extremely young. They may actually be in a decent position compared to the other teams we're fighting against in that department.

Agreed, I had actually mentioned that in another post. Problem is, those other teams generally have more depth, so it balances out a bit.

 

[Stickpucker]

Chara prolly has an iv bag taped to his butt.

 

[AD Skinner]

It's probably a hefty bag

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

So looking at how the Canes do vs. various opponents it was interesting that their winning % vs. strong/weak opponents is the same. I guess it shouldn't be surprising knowing their losses to COL, AZ, and the early blown leads at WPG and VAN. Canes have 35W and 41 Loss (reg+OT):

Vs. top 16 NHL teams: 19 wins, 22 Loss/OTL (0.463 W%)
Vs. bot 15 NHL teams: 16 wins, 19 Loss/OTL (0.457 W%)
Against the top 10 they are 13 wins, 14 Loss/OTL (0.481 W%)

So their winning % is the same whether facing a top team or bottom team. Now, if I break that out with L vs. OTL (and did my math right), it's a little better vs. the bottom 15 teams:

vs. Top 16: 19-17-5 (43 points): .525 % of possible points
vs. Bot 16: 16-10-9 (41 points): .586 % of possible points
vs. top 10: 13-12-2 (28 points): .520 % of possible points

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/nhl/sagarin/

NOTE: He uses top 16 based on POWER ranking, but those same teams are currently the top 16 in NHL standings as well so it doesn't change anything.

 

[RodTheBawd]

Interesting, but not entirely surprising. Now give me the home and away splits

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Interesting, but not entirely surprising. Now give me the home and away splits

https://www.nhl.com/standings/league

 

[MinJaBen]

Speaking of interesting, guess which two teams are the only teams we've lost to in regulation in the month of March?














Arizona and Colorado.

 

[Carolinas Identity*]

Speaking of interesting, guess which two teams are the only teams we've lost to in regulation in the month of March?














Arizona and Colorado.

#hcanes gonna #hcane