GDT: CAR/FLA Part 2: Knock on Wood

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

This was an interesting game. I thought we played really well early and couldn't find a way to extend the lead or find goals it seemed like we deserved. Then we fell apart as the game went on and Florida pushed.

I will say this. Ned still scrambled out of position on the first goal more than I like, he still scares me playing the puck sometimes (though he obviously does some great things on that front), but I did not feel worried about one single shot that was put in his direction. I thought he looked more confident and quiet (the one goal notwithstanding) than he's ever been at this level. I'm very encouraged by that moreso than the actual numbers.

Overall, I don't think it was an awful game, but it was an atrocious 3rd, and they managed to pull it out even after falling behind late. I still end up feeling like we need to add that big time forward, because missing Turbo (and it'd be the same with any of our top forwards) just makes it seem like we don't quite have enough when guys like McGinn aren't shooting at an unsustainable clip. We just need a little more.

Also, Marty is still developing and growing, but man does he give us an element that nobody on this team can and he's really fun to watch.

I don't know if we NEED a top-6 forward. If it's the right price and term, though, I certainly wouldn't be against another big deadline add. We'll see what happens by then, though. The screams for goaltending have died down with Ned's play, so it certainly seems like the FO standing pat at that position has worked out, especially with Crawford and Lundqvist's sudden retirement. Either way, I'm pretty sure the Canes are not going to trade in desperation.

 

[hblueridgegal]

Had no idea Necas had sat 13 minutes in the 3rd. Glad he delivered in OT. Even with a 3 pt game, RBA still seemed a little miffed at him in his presser.

 

[Drivebytrucker]

All you people saying "WE DIDN'T DESERVE THIS WIN":

We've been on the other side of this coin for like 10 years now.


I remember outshooting teams like 51-14 and being shutout by superior NHL goalies like Aaron Dell.

We deserve some luck and a goalie standing on his head now!

 

[Unsustainable]

I think Ned is making a case to stay

 

[zman77]

All 3 Canes played very well!!

 

[A Star is Burns]

I don't know if we NEED a top-6 forward. If it's the right price and term, though, I certainly wouldn't be against another big deadline add. We'll see what happens by then, though. The screams for goaltending have died down with Ned's play, so it certainly seems like the FO standing pat at that position has worked out, especially with Crawford and Lundqvist's sudden retirement. Either way, I'm pretty sure the Canes are not going to trade in desperation.

I think we can contend with this roster but another top 6 forward puts us into another tier. In the future, it seems we'll have some of those guys coming, but I do think we need more to really compete at the highest level this year. I'm not saying make a move to make a move but I do think we are in a pretty good position to be aggressive.

I also still think we could do better in goal but we've done well with Mrazek out, I think he'll do even better once he's back and up to speed, and I won't be upset if we roll with the goalies we have on the roster already. We can look at our options this offseason when contracts are up. But again, if the right move comes up, I'd be ready to pounce. I wish Anaheim would realize they're just not close enough to go anywhere with Gibson.

 

[hblueridgegal]

It's fun to see.

 

[dogbazinho]

Winner winner Bojangles dinner (even though Im nowhere near a Bojo)

Sterling soon

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

Necas has 14 points through 18 games. A .777 PPG pace is pretty good.

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

Ned might have a tendency to do this anyway, BUT you know why he’s scrambly on pucks in front of the net and sometimes out of position?

BECAUSE THE CANES DONT CLEAR BODIES OR THE PUCK OUT OF THERE

Frigging annoying and letting teams get back in the game or costing us wins on the season.

Necas is god tho...

 

[Roboturner913]

All you people saying "WE DIDN'T DESERVE THIS WIN":

We've been on the other side of this coin for like 10 years now.


I remember outshooting teams like 51-14 and being shutout by superior NHL goalies like Aaron Dell.

We deserve some luck and a goalie standing on his head now!

"Deserved" is more about the effort than anything else. We looked sloppy and lackluster for a good 15 minutes leading up to Florida's first goal, it was the kind of effort you'd expect to see in a loss.

I'm thrilled if this team is simply good enough to consistently overcome prolonged poor stretches of play, but more veteran teams than Florida probably don't let us come back from that.

 

[bishop12]

I didn't watch the game, but why did Necas have 11 min of ice time???

 

[Roboturner913]

Man, Florida in those 3rd periods just looks so much like Carolina did the past two seasons. Just endless waves of attack.

There's a definite school of that kind of play in the league now. I feel like you could jumble up the rosters of us, Florida and Columbus and you'd probably not ever see much difference.

 

[dogbazinho]

He had a bad turnover and Rod plays favorites

 

[bishop12]

Also, Necas is developing into a great player for us. So happy for the kid, that year in Charlotte did a lot of good for him.

How do you know it did a lot of good? That's just an old wise tale in the NHL imo...

 

[A Star is Burns]

I didn't watch the game, but why did Necas have 11 min of ice time???

It was all part of an intricate plan to have him assist on the game tying goal and score the game winning goal. Oh, and because you touch yourself at night.

 

[Roboturner913]

The whole team (except Ned and the 4th liners) played like shit leading up to Florida's tying and go-ahead goals, if you want to call somebody out call out Slavin and Hamilton, or Jordan Staal or Aho or any of the team's leaders, don't just pin it on Necas. I hate that.

I don't mean *you* as any of you guys, FYI

 

[HisIceness]

How do you know it did a lot of good? That's just an old wise tale in the NHL imo...

Because he wasn't ready for the NHL at that time.

 

[chaz4hockey]

Dmen have to start putting the puck on net. In first ten minutes, Hamilton had 3 great chances that he missed the net on and Skjei and Slavin had one each.

Good things happen when the puck is shot within the net’s boundaries.

 

[VAcaniac]

Feels so weird to look at standings and see the Hurricanes in the top 5 in the league.

 

[chaz4hockey]

88 has to be one of the best OT players in the league

Regular season for sure. Canes playing with fools gold if they think playoff OT will be as easy/necessarily play to their team strengths (versus the grinders).

 

[hblueridgegal]

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

I think we can contend with this roster but another top 6 forward puts us into another tier. In the future, it seems we'll have some of those guys coming, but I do think we need more to really compete at the highest level this year. I'm not saying make a move to make a move but I do think we are in a pretty good position to be aggressive.

Bingo. It’s relevant to note that the team is 14th in 5v5 GF/60 at the end of tonight (Link). They finished 11th last year in that metric (Link). A Top 5 PP brings the overall number up, but that’s not really something to rely on in the playoffs because of the inherent streakiness of it. If it goes cold again, as it did against Boston last year, they’ll need to be able to compensate for it at EV.

Svechnikov, Aho and Teravainen are very good scorers, but this team lacks a Top 10 type elite point producer at this time. That doesn’t disqualify them from true contention. However, the depth around them better be there. I feel better about that if Niederreiter, Staal and Foegele are the 7th, 8th and 9th best offensive forwards rather than 6th, 7th and 8th/9th (depending on you view McGinn).

 

[tarheelhockey]

If you say so. Kinda like the Cats fan who said we aren't a good offensive team. Really 5th highest scoring team in the league.

Yelling “scoreboard!” works better for a player who hasn’t been nearly shut out at 5v5 for two weeks.

Aho’s underlying numbers aren’t much better. Take a look at his xGF% at 5v5 over that stretch.

This team is surviving largely on Trocheck replacing Aho’s production as if their roles were reversed. That can’t and won’t continue indefinitely. I expect Aho will bounce back against some of these weaker teams, evening out his pace. But it does need to be noted that he has been absolutely caved by the Lightning and Panthers, and this is coming off his showing in the Boston series. Racking up points against trash teams isn’t quite the same as doing it against the league’s big dogs, and we need the latter if this team is going to contend.

 

[hockeynjune]

Our boys were clearly gassed by the third. We were losing most of the 50/50 pucks. Kudos for grinding it out and getting a very tough "W" I'm sure the cats are doing some head shaking today in that locker room. Sunday will be brutal, that 2 day rest is huge