Pre-Game Talk: Devils Canes Round 2

[Finlandia WOAT]

Boston out, Rags out, Tampa out. Carolina could make the Finals despite missing half the top 6 planned in 2022.

 

[CandyCanes]

 

[Navin R Slavin]

Oilers O strategy or maybe just McDavid’s is get the puck and then skate through everyone to score. Defenders have a chance to react to McD having the puck. Hughes’ is different. NJ flies out on passes along the board to create a giveaway. The moment someone goes to challenge, they have forwards going to cover the high side point men who will then fly the zone if possession is gained. Knowing that at least one defender (typically the near side guy who is staying close to the boards to keep the puck in) wont be able to turn and recover, they have created an odd man rush.

Yeah, so don't do that when Hughes is on the ice.

That's the thing. Just because this team can throw the D forward, it doesn't follow that they must always do that. Trap when Jack is on the ice, forecheck heavily when he isn't.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

Yeah, so don't do that when Hughes is on the ice.

That's the thing. Just because this team can throw the D forward, it doesn't follow that they must always do that. Trap when Jack is on the ice, forecheck heavily when he isn't.

i havent seen much as far as strategy changes during the playoffs. we can hope but it would be fairly new.

 

[Unsustainable]

Win series

 

[LakeLivin]

It's a difficult, skilled opponent. Team will need the same formula. Mostly good D, timely special teams, and good goaltending. Gotta watch out for that speed and transition game and forecheck the hell out of them.

I'd add "get some bounces". I suspect we tend to forget how much that plays into hockey compared to all the other major sports.

 

[Svechhammer]

 

[3CanesInTheBox]

 

[A Star is Burns]

I'd add "get some bounces". I suspect we tend to forget how much that plays into hockey compared to all the other major sports.

Yeah, like I said in the round 2 thread before we knew the opponent, it's the NHL. Anything can happen. You can get strange bounces or get goalied or beaten by Paul Stastny scoring on 3 out of his 4 shots in an entire series.

But I don't think even in our current state there is some massive gap. Doesn't mean we can't get smoked though.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

I kind of like that lines. Put our best speed with Staal to help him keep up with hughes.

KK helps shutdown the 2nd line. Hopefully the Aho and 4th line can capitalize on the matchups.

 

[moses malone 12]

switch necas and Jarvis. Good to go.

 

[Svechhammer]

Yeah, like I said in the round 2 thread before we knew the opponent, it's the NHL. Anything can happen. You can get strange bounces or get goalied or beaten by Paul Stastny scoring on 3 out of his 4 shots in an entire series.

But I don't think even in our current state there is some massive gap. Doesn't mean we can't get smoked though.

We are going to have to lean on goalie and defense to win. The good news is that I think our situation there might be better as a whole than its been in the past, and we arguably might have the best combination of the 2 left in at least the East, but possibly the entire league.

We are outgunned by everyone left. Our back end has to be the difference maker if we hope to advance.

 

[Cormag001]

It's tough to see the Canes getting much further without Marty Necas getting going.

It's difficult because you certainly want to encourage a player with his skating / play-making ability to be able to play loose and free, but he consistently tried to do too much in round 1 and turned the puck over at times it felt completely unnecessary.

I'm hoping in round 2 we see him working harder to get into dangerous scoring areas and getting his shot off on opportunities created by others rather than skating through three guys to create his own.

He certainly isn't the same type of player as Svechnikov, but if there's anyone who can fill Andrei's offensive responsibilities, it's him.

 

[Chrispy]

It's tough to see the Canes getting much further without Marty Necas getting going.

It's difficult because you certainly want to encourage a player with his skating / play-making ability to be able to play loose and free, but he consistently tried to do too much in round 1 and turned the puck over at times it felt completely unnecessary.

I'm hoping in round 2 we see him working harder to get into dangerous scoring areas and getting his shot off on opportunities created by others rather than skating through three guys to create his own.

He certainly isn't the same type of player as Svechnikov, but if there's anyone who can fill Andrei's offensive responsibilities, it's him.

The issue with that idea is putting Necas on a line with Drury and Staal is not asking Necas to set up for opportunities made by others. It's asking Necas to be the playmaker for the line.

If you want Necas to play as a shooter off a different playmaker, the only spot that makes sense is on the first line next to Aho. I think they need to try that soon to get more offense going even if it's only from one line.

 

[LakeLivin]

Another flawed poll. Where's the "Canes in 3" option?

 

[Cormag001]

The issue with that idea is putting Necas on a line with Drury and Staal is not asking Necas to set up for opportunities made by others. It's asking Necas to be the playmaker for the line.

If you want Necas to play as a shooter off a different playmaker, the only spot that makes sense is on the first line next to Aho. I think they need to try that soon to get more offense going even if it's only from one line.

Completely agree. As our best shot (from a forward), feels like you have to start Necas with Aho and adjust if he's not up to the task.

 

[WreckingCrew]

While I like that we don't have to worry about Rags fans and their takeover, NJ seems to have shaken off those initial cobwebs and proved last night the talent they have. They're pretty soft like us, so less worried about them pulling NYI or Trouba-level bullshit, but maybe this is a chance for some of our more physical guys to actually show out. Their speed and quick transitions are scary. Goaltending doesn't really worry me, because the Canes have proven whether you have Sorokin/Shesty or Groesnick/Sandstrom, we're going to "get goalied" and struggle to score most nights. My worry is that one of our biggest weaknesses all season was giving up terrible breakaways and odd-man rushes...which is basically 75%+ of NJD game, and they have numerous guys who are danger to score every time they're in that scenario (Hughes, Hischier, Bratt, Meier, etc). Rod loves having the D jump into the play, but he's going to have to adjust the strategy probably to have them hold back a bit more or be willing to very quickly transfer back, otherwise we're going to get torched.

We're the higher seed, but it feels like we're underdogs due to the key players injured...though they may lose Meier a bit. I'm hoping for a good showing from us instead of the mostly sleepwalking we've seen, and I'm hoping to see RBA actually make adjustments when things aren't working out rather than "if we just keep playing our game" BS we always hear. That said my expectations are low because we suck at scoring and stopping odd-man rushes. Just make a good showing, put in the effort, and don't get swept (or more injuries).

 

[Joe McGrath]

Completely agree. As our best shot (from a forward), feels like you have to start Necas with Aho and adjust if he's not up to the task.

Or you could not drag Aho down with Necas’ bullshit and let him continues to carry the offense on his back.

 

[StorminSnvechnAho]

Looks like the Staal line is being buffed with speed.

 

[MinJaBen]

Looks like the Staal line is being buffed with speed.

So you are saying it wasn't Fast enough?

 

[chaz4hockey]

Any idea on when the rest of the series game dates will be announced (I'm thinking a possible:
5/7 & 9 in Newark, 5/11 back in Raleigh, 5/14 Newark (concerts on previous 2 nights), 5/16-Raleigh

 

[chaz4hockey]

For those that worry about who refs the next round of games. The list:

Referees​

Gord Dwyer, Trevor Hanson, Jean Hebert, Steve Kozari, Chris Lee, Wes McCauley, Jon McIsaac, Dan O’Rourke, Kyle Rehman, Chris Rooney, Graham Skilliter, and Kelly Sutherland.

First-Timers: Trevor Hanson, Kyle Rehman, and Graham Skilliter advance to the Conference Semifinals for the first time.

Out from Round 1: Jake Brenk, Francis Charron, Eric Furlatt, Frederick L’Ecuyer, T.J. Luxmore, Kendrick Nicholson, Kevin Pollock, Garrett Rank

Standby Refs: Frederick L’Ecuyer, Kendrick Nicholson

Linesmen​

Shandor Alphonso, Steve Barton, Devin Berg, David Brisebois, Scott Cherrey, Michel Cormier, Brad Kovachik, Matt MacPherson, Bevan Mills, Kiel Murchison, Jonny Murray, and Bryan Pancich

First-Timers: Bevan Mills

Out from Round 1: Kyle Flemington, Brandon Gawryletz, Travis Gawryletz, Ryan Gibbons, Jesse Marquis, Andrew Smith, Libor Suchanek, and James Tobias

Standby Linesmen: Ryan Gibbons, Andrew Smith

 

[geehaad]

It's important to keep in mind that NYI targeted Necas just as CAR would target someone like McDavid or JHughes. They knew going toe-to-toe with CAR was a bad strategy, so they played a defensively-sound game intended to take Necas off his game. Against a more open defense such as NJD's, Necas should have more room to operate and be able to find a rhythm.

 

[StorminSnvechnAho]

It's important to keep in mind that NYI targeted Necas just as CAR would target someone like McDavid or JHughes. They knew going toe-to-toe with CAR was a bad strategy, so they played a defensively-sound game intended to take Necas off his game. Against a more open defense such as NJD's, Necas should have more room to operate and be able to find a rhythm.

And with his and on the Staal line, I guarentee you he is there to match Hughes speed, which Necas can do and exceed.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

The Devils are a great road team this year, we need to really lock it down these first couple games. Coming out hot game 1 with fresh legs and them just 2 days removed from a game 7 will be critical to set the tone for this series. If Freddie can keep playing like he did in game 6 I'm extremely confident we can pull this one out. But that is a big ask for a guy who's been incredibly inconsistent this year...