Around the League 34 - 1 round down, 3 to go

[Identity404]

It's tough coming off a long break in the playoffs. How often do we see teams sweep and then get swept? We all remember when it happened to us a few years ago.

I don't see Tampa getting swept, this first game isn't even over, but the Rangers are definitely going to be a challenge for them. The Panthers were the paper tigers that everyone thought they would be.

I won't be shocked at all if the Rangers win the series.

 

[Tryamw]

shesterkin down

 

[The Faulker 27]

Shesterskin is dramatic. Dove like a soccer player.

 

[Tryamw]

Shocked he isn't having to go on concussion break like Mike Smith.

 

[ndp]

Hahahaha, the in goal camera replay, Stamkos was looking at him like "what are you doing down there" very confused look on his face.

 

[Tryamw]

Well 6-2 NYR.

 

[The Faulker 27]

Well 6-2 NYR.

Better enjoy it. I doubt they get 6 past Vasi again.

 

[ndp]

Vasilevskiy not looking quite like himself this game. But gotta give credit to the Rangers they're playing with pace and has TB on their heels a little bit.

 

[Wolfpuck]

“Igor’s better.”

0 Cups > 2 Cups

New York math

 

[Svechhammer]

Looking like the Canes choked away a great opportunity to get to the Finals

 

[Canes]

Looking like the Canes choked away a great opportunity to get to the Finals

Doubtful. We would be lucky to score 6 goals in a series vs. Tampa given our putrid finishing ability and powerplay.

 

[Cardiac Jerks]

Tampa Bay?

 

[Stickpucker]

The dreaded break after a sweep eh?

 

[Canes]

Tampa trying to goon it up but the Rangers respond. Must be nice to have a team that isn't a complete pushover.

 

[chaz4hockey]

Tampa trying to goon it up but the Rangers respond. Must be nice to have a team that isn't a complete pushover.

Some folks on here would tell you toughness doesn’t matter.

Nope, it sure does in playoff hockey. If roles were reversed and we had maroon going after us, which of our Canes would stop him or the other ruffians on the ice?

Rags had reeves.

 

[VaCaps Fan]

I hate NY…

 

[HisIceness]

They literally resent the fact that the Hurricanes exist, and its overwhelmingly blatant on HFB. Just look at the Habs fans who couldn't want to troll in here on the KK thread yesterday because our season ended.

They hate the fact that we didn't move to a more deserving market in QC. They hate the fact that a billionaire bought us and they hate that we've actually been having some success with 4 straight playoff bids and an arena that is packing in progressively more fans every month.

At the end of the day, if you really dig into what these people are saying when they mouth off in these threads, it always comes down to the fact that Raleigh shouldn't have a team. Always. Problem is, there's a couple mods in those forums who also share those opinions and will shut your shit down real quick if you try and bring those biases to the surface.

It amazes me some of the people who move here who outright resent the team. Now there's plenty who are Rangers fans or whatever first and Canes 2nd and that's cool, but I get the feeling a lot of the transient hockey fans who are as you just described got so used to the Canes being mediocre that they felt PNC Arena was "theirs" when their team came to town and now that's just not the case anymore. My sister went to the game against Boston earlier in the season and mentioned to me that some of the Bruins fans in her section were "bragging" about how it used to be "Boston South" 5 years ago or whatever.

It also angers me when I constantly see "Move sunbelt team to QC!". I've never seen this anywhere else BUT NHL fans and NHL message boards and such. Hell even NASCAR fans who lament races being taken away from Rockingham and other smaller southern towns aren't/weren't this vocal (although they too make noise).

 

[The Faulker 27]

The Rangers definitely watched video on Vasi. Most of the goals we're high glove and blocker. Granted both Tampa and Vasi weren't as sharp as they will be, but the best chance you have at beating him is well placed shots in the top corners.

 

[Canes]

Some folks on here would tell you toughness doesn’t matter.

Nope, it sure does in playoff hockey. If roles were reversed and we had maroon going after us, which of our Canes would stop him or the other ruffians on the ice?

Rags had reeves.

TDA or Domi would probably respond by taking a stupid cross checking or slashing penalty, and that'd be about our most "physical" response.

 

[Sigurd]

TDA or Domi would probably respond by taking a stupid cross checking or slashing penalty, and that'd be about our most "physical" response.

Don't forget Cole.

 

[Cardiac Jerks]

The Rangers definitely watched video on Vasi. Most of the goals we're high glove and blocker. Granted both Tampa and Vasi weren't as sharp as they will be, but the best chance you have at beating him is well placed shots in the top corners.

I’m sure everyone has watched countless hours of video on him. Those weaknesses are there for everyone to exploit yet nobody seems to be able to do it on a consistent basis.

One horrible game but I’m sure tampa will make the necessary adjustments.

 

[The Faulker 27]

I’m sure everyone has watched countless hours of video on him. Those weaknesses are there for everyone to exploit yet nobody seems to be able to do it on a consistent basis.

One horrible game but I’m sure tampa will make the necessary adjustments.

High glove, and blocker are elite level shots if you can do it with any regularity. No goalie in the league is stopping a few of the bombs they dropped last night like Zibanejad's one timer. Just perfectly placed. The Rangers were clicking on all cylinders, but as I said I doubt they get 6 past Vasi again. He's no Kuemper or Smith.

They may surprise everyone and give Tampa a run for their money. I originally thought Tampa may sweep them, but obviously that didn't happen. I could see this going to 7 games. It's also sort of bitter sweet, as the Canes certainly missed a good opportunity to catch a sleepy Tampa and maybe win 2 at home. Oh well.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

It would be such a kick in the balls if New York won a Cup shortly after parting ways with Lundqvist. Everyone wanted to get Henrik his Cup.

 

[WreckingCrew]

The Rangers definitely watched video on Vasi. Most of the goals we're high glove and blocker. Granted both Tampa and Vasi weren't as sharp as they will be, but the best chance you have at beating him is well placed shots in the top corners.

Who would have EVER guessed that cross-ice passes are going to beat the goalie way more often than muffin shots in close or long, forced point shots? I mean, everyone...except the Canes of course...

 

[Lempo]

Who would have EVER guessed that cross-ice passes are going to beat the goalie way more often than muffin shots in close or long, forced point shots? I mean, everyone...except the Canes of course...

That's what they expect!