"I'm confident the Canes will make the playoffs. I expect them to win at least 1 round (of course, match-ups matter). I expect them to struggle beyond that if they don't get more scoring talent and their goaltending situation sorted out."It's not about being optimistic or pessimistic, it's about looking at the big picture and not getting so worked up about every single regular season game, win or lose. Just as the Florida win didn't mean that much, neither did this loss.
- Canes have been the 3rd best team in the NHL since Dec 12th (which was a turning point in the season after starting off horribly and having a players only meeting). They've done this with Svech battling injuries and using a 3rd and 4th (off of waivers) string goalie.
- Canes are comfortably in a playoff spot and aren't likely going treat every game like a must win, no matter who it's against. TB in their cup winning years were the same.
- Most everyone agrees, that for Carolina to go further in the playoffs they need more top 6 scoring talent and we need our goaltending to stablize.
This loss (or if they would have won) doesn't change that.
I'm confident the Canes will make the playoffs. I expect them to win at least 1 round (of course, match-ups matter). I expect them to struggle beyond that if they don't get more scoring talent and their goaltending situation sorted out.
And therein lies my anguish and at the crux of my point and why I am not optimistic.....I've seen enough hockey in my lifetime and in particular these recent Canes/ makeup of current squad of players to conclude that unless a bold move is made by next Friday it's another "lost" year (this fan wants the team to get to at least the 3rd round and win a damn game in it...right now, I don't see it).
With Slavin, Burns & Staal aging & Skjei/Pesce probably off to different pastures we may not re-surface as a significant SC contender until the Holy Grail from Ru shows up.