GDT: CAR/FLA Part 2: Knock on Wood

[Nikishin Go Boom]

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

we've had one period each time we have played Florida where they have owned corsi at over 70%. I get the guys were tired but Florida came in on a 4 games in 6 days too.

 

[chaz4hockey]

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

Good points.....and tonight they play again. Brutal schedule.

 

[geehaad]

Necas had sat 13 minutes in the 3rd. RBA still seemed a little miffed at him in his presser.

why did Necas have 11 min of ice time???

He had a bad turnover and Rod plays favorites

don't just pin it on Necas

I noticed, and I noticed who played in his stead: Martinook. And guess which part of the game that the Panthers took it to the Canes...yep, those 15 minutes while Necas sat. No, I'm not going to tie those two things together, but they aren't *unrelated* either.

Look Rod, if you're going to sit a young'in to send a message, if you substitute in a guy who routinely f***s up in his own zone and is an offensive black hole, you're sending the wrong message.

 

[hockeynjune]

we've had one period each time we have played Florida where they have owned corsi at over 70%. I get the guys were tired but Florida came in on a 4 games in 6 days too.

We seem to be very evenly matched with the cats at this time. Very anxious to get turbo and Petr back. I feel pretty good about where we go from here. That win last night was a big lesson in "never quit" and will serve us well in the coming weeks.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

with three players hurt and no one on IR, we cant even call up a guy or two to play and give others some rest.

 

[GoCanes2015]

I'll say it again - Ned is better than Reimer. the advantage for the team from him being a strong puck handler is noticeable - minimizing the Florida forecheck with quick outs from the net is a difference-maker. We don't have to work as hard in our own zone, saving energy and tilting the ice just enough going the other way.

 

[hockeynjune]

I'll say it again - Ned is better than Reimer. the advantage for the team from him being a strong puck handler is noticeable - minimizing the Florida forecheck with quick outs from the net is a difference-maker. We don't have to work as hard in our own zone, saving energy and tilting the ice just enough going the other way.

Rod addressed Ned's puck handling in his post game comments. Definitely a difference maker.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

Again I did not watch.

You are welcome.

Please take one for the team and watching every Lightning game that isn't against us. maybe we can avoid them in the playoffs just by having them miss the playoffs entirely...

 

[tarheelhockey]

I noticed, and I noticed who played in his stead: Martinook. And guess which part of the game that the Panthers took it to the Canes...yep, those 15 minutes while Necas sat. No, I'm not going to tie those two things together, but they aren't *unrelated* either.

Look Rod, if you're going to sit a young'in to send a message, if you substitute in a guy who routinely f***s up in his own zone and is an offensive black hole, you're sending the wrong message.

Rod’s pretty clearly using Martinook as a negative comparison. “Don’t make me put this knucklehead in there just because you’re even worse than him”

Love Marty’s attitude and what he brings in a limited role, but it’s kind of funny to imagine Necas’ thoughts on the bench watching him take top-6 shifts looking like a mini-Mite

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

FLA fans are saying the same thing, what a series so far.
Honestly looking forward to a break from you guys and DAL for a bit.
Can we have Trocheck back?
Good luck, you guys have a really good team

I hate you guys this year, naturally, but I hope once the divisions are back to normal you guys can rule the Atlantic. Sick of Boston, TB and Toronto. Barkov is easily one of my favorite non-Canes players in the league and the rest of the team is likable, well except Hornqvist.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

First two periods tonight had me thinking "shutout". Third period had me thinking we stole points tonight. Which is only justice because Florida stole one from us the other night even getting to OT in that one.

Ned continues to impress. Definitely think we're going to be rolling with 3 goalies going forward this season since the alternative is possibly losing either him or Reimer to waivers.

Not sure we can trust Ned, but if we did trust him is losing Reimer to waivers that big of a deal? Would clear up a bunch more cap space for a potential deadline acquisition. Mrazek I think is our clear cut number 1 and would be the guy in the playoffs anyways so not sure it's that big of a risk. But that's assuming Ned doesn't have a couple stinkers soon and can actually be consistently counted upon as the backup/1b, which is still yet to be seen with this smaller sample size.

 

[CanesFanBudMan]

We also have to have Ned (or somehow get another goalie on the books for at least next year) for ED purposes

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

I hate you guys this year, naturally, but I hope once the divisions are back to normal you guys can rule the Atlantic. Sick of Boston, TB and Toronto. Barkov is easily one of my favorite non-Canes players in the league and the rest of the team is likable, well except Hornqvist.

We hate you guys even more watching Trocheck tear it up.
All he needed was more time to fully heal his foot and a shock trade to awaken him.

You guys just play such a sound defensive and structured game, we are about as close as can be with GF and GA.
Tied with GA and you guys have 2 more GF in 21 games played.
Slight edge in both PP and PK to you as well, hoping Zito will add another top 6 forward for more depth scoring and we will see you in playoffs come June.


EDIT - Luostar has been pretty solid FWIW, really sound two way game and already producing decent goals/points as our 3C.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

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.

I have no idea what a goalie like Gibson is worth, if they'd be willing to trade him. Would Jarvis be a reasonable starting point, or would it take much more? Would we even want to give up Jarvis for a goalie, when it looks like there's a decent chance he could be another Point/Barzal caliber player?

 

[Chrispy]

Yeah, waiting to avoid a jinx is overrated. Let's just talk about the game. Ned is in net tonight, and no other lineup changes. Hopefully we win again, loser point or none, doesn't matter that much.

Pronoun's off, but the message rings true:

 

[chaz4hockey]

I have no idea what a goalie like Gibson is worth, if they'd be willing to trade him. Would Jarvis be a reasonable starting point, or would it take much more? Would we even want to give up Jarvis for a goalie, when it looks like there's a decent chance he could be another Point/Barzal caliber player?

Keep Jarvis....he will be a star.

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

Rod addressed Ned's puck handling in his post game comments. Definitely a difference maker.

Honestly, I don't even mind the times Ned 'over-handled' the puck. A couple times it just caught the Canes D-men off guard and they weren't ready to do anything with it, not so much that Ned played it poorly. I've seen FAR too many brain dead/controller unplugged plays from our D-core this season. You should WANT your goalie to get you the puck so you can transition and get it out of the zone rather have them smother it and get caved in by your opposition. Always be ready to receive the puck and do something with it. Ned was taking chances when we were tied and/or were down a goal to try to create momentum and not have so much time drain off the clock with D-zone faceoffs. The team needs to wake up and not take periods off every game.

 

[MrazeksVengeance]

Please take one for the team and watching every Lightning game that isn't against us. maybe we can avoid them in the playoffs just by having them miss the playoffs entirely...

He cannot do that. Reality warping is exhausting as it is. THIS WAY HE'D DRAIN HIS POWER.

 

[hockeynjune]

Honestly, I don't even mind the times Ned 'over-handled' the puck. A couple times it just caught the Canes D-men off guard and they weren't ready to do anything with it, not so much that Ned played it poorly. I've seen FAR too many brain dead/controller unplugged plays from our D-core this season. You should WANT your goalie to get you the puck so you can transition and get it out of the zone rather have them smother it and get caved in by your opposition. Always be ready to receive the puck and do something with it. Ned was taking chances when we were tied and/or were down a goal to try to create momentum and not have so much time drain off the clock with D-zone faceoffs. The team needs to wake up and not take periods off every game.

Agree to the bolded. I think he gets better at this as the season goes forward.

 

[Cormag001]

Sorry for the long post. I'm glad the Canes were able to steal 2 points yesterday. You'll take them how you can get them. I have a few concerns that I'd love to hear some thoughts on... my hockey knowledge is limited, this is purely by my observations.

My biggest concern moving forward is both Tampa and Florida's ability to suffocate our top guys and their inability to find an answer. Seems like lately each time Aho has possession he has very limited options and is eventually forced off the puck one way or another. We all know his savvy creativity is what makes him the elite player he is, but he isn’t given / can’t create any space to make a play.

Svechnikov seems like he is in more of a slump than anything. He’s still creating plays with his speed and physicality, and he’s had some good looks that he’s put wide or off the post. I will say that when the same defensive pressure bothering Aho is applied to him, it seems as if he makes his mind up to what he is going to do before feeling the play out. Too many times yesterday he would attempt to force the puck to space in the offensive zone and the Canes would end up in a scrum for it.

And lastly... Dougie. I don't know if he still has a mental or physical hurdle to cross before being back to his old self, but whatever it is, we need it soon. Seems like the Canes' offensive strategy when he is on the ice is to give it to him at the point, let him wrist it on goal, and try to get a rebound that never seems to come. His defensive play has been careless and sloppy, and when he isn't producing on offense it is tough to forgive critical mistakes.

As for positives, I am thankful for Ned and I genuinely hopes he can become the 2nd guy with Mrazek. Pesce has been unreal. Slavin seems to be getting his defensive groove back. The fourth line has been very solid and generated a lot of chances in the past few games, starting with Martinook who really struggled to start the year. Obviously it's fantastic to see Trochek playing the way he is, and I can only hope it rubs off on Nino and Foegele as well. Hoping Teravainen's return helps the top guys out.

 

[DaveG]

Not sure we can trust Ned, but if we did trust him is losing Reimer to waivers that big of a deal? Would clear up a bunch more cap space for a potential deadline acquisition. Mrazek I think is our clear cut number 1 and would be the guy in the playoffs anyways so not sure it's that big of a risk. But that's assuming Ned doesn't have a couple stinkers soon and can actually be consistently counted upon as the backup/1b, which is still yet to be seen with this smaller sample size.

In a normal year? No big deal, in fact I'd be all for it. In a year where every team in the league has to carry 3 goalies and our depth beyond Ned is Bibeau and Helvig? That's a huge problem. If Forsberg was still with the team I'd be calling Buffalo right now and seeing if they'd give us a 4th for Reimer soon as Mrazek is healthy.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Sorry for the long post. I'm glad the Canes were able to steal 2 points yesterday. You'll take them how you can get them. I have a few concerns that I'd love to hear some thoughts on... my hockey knowledge is limited, this is purely by my observations.

My biggest concern moving forward is both Tampa and Florida's ability to suffocate our top guys and their inability to find an answer. Seems like lately each time Aho has possession he has very limited options and is eventually forced off the puck one way or another. We all know his savvy creativity is what makes him the elite player he is, but he isn’t given / can’t create any space to make a play.

Svechnikov seems like he is in more of a slump than anything. He’s still creating plays with his speed and physicality, and he’s had some good looks that he’s put wide or off the post. I will say that when the same defensive pressure bothering Aho is applied to him, it seems as if he makes his mind up to what he is going to do before feeling the play out. Too many times yesterday he would attempt to force the puck to space in the offensive zone and the Canes would end up in a scrum for it.

And lastly... Dougie. I don't know if he still has a mental or physical hurdle to cross before being back to his old self, but whatever it is, we need it soon. Seems like the Canes' offensive strategy when he is on the ice is to give it to him at the point, let him wrist it on goal, and try to get a rebound that never seems to come. His defensive play has been careless and sloppy, and when he isn't producing on offense it is tough to forgive critical mistakes.

As for positives, I am thankful for Ned and I genuinely hopes he can become the 2nd guy with Mrazek. Pesce has been unreal. Slavin seems to be getting his defensive groove back. The fourth line has been very solid and generated a lot of chances in the past few games, starting with Martinook who really struggled to start the year. Obviously it's fantastic to see Trochek playing the way he is, and I can only hope it rubs off on Nino and Foegele as well. Hoping Teravainen's return helps the top guys out.

You bring up valid points, but what you see as a concern, I see as a positive. Aho, Svech and Dougie are too good for this level of production to continue. It's ebbs and flows within a season. So the team is a top 6 team in the NHL right now and they aren't getting great production from their top offensive players, their D hasn't played great, they have been missing their starting goalie, and missing their top line winger. They certainly need to improve in those areas, but the good news is that if they do, they should be very competitive.

 

[Cormag001]

You bring up valid points, but what you see as a concern, I see as a positive. Aho, Svech and Dougie are too good for this level of production to continue. It's ebbs and flows within a season. So the team is a top 6 team in the NHL right now and they aren't getting great production from their top offensive players, their D hasn't played great, they have been missing their starting goalie, and missing their top line winger. They certainly need to improve in those areas, but the good news is that if they do, they should be very competitive.

That's fair, and I certainly don't expect these guys to just pack it in... but if the Canes weren't 6-1 in a fairly random overtime system we may have a different tone around here. I think it mostly concerns me because it's similar to the issues we saw against Boston. Physical, draining defensive pressure completely neutralizing our biggest offensive threats.

3 more against Tampa and 5 more against Florida for the boys to figure out some solutions. Plenty of time.

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

Sorry for the long post. I'm glad the Canes were able to steal 2 points yesterday. You'll take them how you can get them. I have a few concerns that I'd love to hear some thoughts on... my hockey knowledge is limited, this is purely by my observations.

My biggest concern moving forward is both Tampa and Florida's ability to suffocate our top guys and their inability to find an answer. Seems like lately each time Aho has possession he has very limited options and is eventually forced off the puck one way or another. We all know his savvy creativity is what makes him the elite player he is, but he isn’t given / can’t create any space to make a play.

Svechnikov seems like he is in more of a slump than anything. He’s still creating plays with his speed and physicality, and he’s had some good looks that he’s put wide or off the post. I will say that when the same defensive pressure bothering Aho is applied to him, it seems as if he makes his mind up to what he is going to do before feeling the play out. Too many times yesterday he would attempt to force the puck to space in the offensive zone and the Canes would end up in a scrum for it.

And lastly... Dougie. I don't know if he still has a mental or physical hurdle to cross before being back to his old self, but whatever it is, we need it soon. Seems like the Canes' offensive strategy when he is on the ice is to give it to him at the point, let him wrist it on goal, and try to get a rebound that never seems to come. His defensive play has been careless and sloppy, and when he isn't producing on offense it is tough to forgive critical mistakes.

As for positives, I am thankful for Ned and I genuinely hopes he can become the 2nd guy with Mrazek. Pesce has been unreal. Slavin seems to be getting his defensive groove back. The fourth line has been very solid and generated a lot of chances in the past few games, starting with Martinook who really struggled to start the year. Obviously it's fantastic to see Trochek playing the way he is, and I can only hope it rubs off on Nino and Foegele as well. Hoping Teravainen's return helps the top guys out.

The reason why we have trouble with TB and FLA is that 1... they are good teams and everyone has trouble with them but more specifically, they are big, physical, and as you mentioned they are on you right away. They don't let skill guys like Aho just dance around and find time and space to make a back door pass. Guys like Svech and Necas get chances because they are big and fast and can bull towards the net. They just aren't finishing on those opportunities. Really it comes down to the fact that their forwards skate their asses off and their D cover the front of the net. How many games have we played against them where nearly every cross ice pass in the offensive zone was broken up or our point shots blocked or deflected?

If you stay to the outside, they are happy to leave you there and the Canes problem is that they don't attack the net or middle of the ice nearly enough. We are great at gaining the zone but everything is far too perimeter once we do. Not able to get the opposing D on their heels and open up lanes in higher danger areas. OT was a prime example of it with the winning goal. With more time and space, Necas was able to come in with speed and play the give and go with Aho. The D retreated, lost coverage and Necas was wide open for an easy finish. During regulation we gain the zone but then ALWAYS drop pass or circle back on the half wall which allows the other team to reset and forwards to get back and then you have no space. Only option is to grind along the boards in a cycle game which is very exhausting. Eventually you throw the puck to the point for an outside shot that may or may not get through or a pass to the middle which doesn't connect with anyone or gets broken up because it's clogged. Basically if the Canes want to score more goals against TB and FLA they need to get in front of the net, make them uncomfortable and start whacking away. That will open up the rest of the ice for the skill guys to do their thing, but until you show to those teams that you're taking the high danger areas and push on them, they won't give you an inch.

 

[AD Skinner]

Kinda funny that the OTL point moves Florida into 1st place. Not wanting to jinx anything but Florida Tampa and the canes are starting to really separate from the pack, and I keep thinking Chicago will run out of race track but they haven't played that many more games than the other teams and seem to be chugging right along