He's done a lot of good in terms of structure and defense.
His OT decisions in terms of who is playing are often odd
I'm pretty happy for the most part.
Series Talk: [M2] Carolina Hurricanes Vs [M3] New Jersey Devils
- Thread starter hangman005
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His OT decisions in terms of who is playing are often odd
I'm pretty happy for the most part.
Uncle Scrooge
Hockey Bettor
I don't see how the Devils win this.
Hughes is the one player who gives them something the Canes don't necessarily have, someone with high-end talent to work magic on the PP and the potential to be a series-breaking difference maker. Take him away, and there's nothing the Devils can do that the Canes can't.
Last time these two teams met it wasn't even close and back then the Devils were a top team. NJ is probably more ready this time as far as the competitiveness required, especially given the circumstances, but the team is worse so I don't think it matters.
It's the Canes series to lose. They feel comfortable in the 1st round so I don't see that happening.
Hughes is the one player who gives them something the Canes don't necessarily have, someone with high-end talent to work magic on the PP and the potential to be a series-breaking difference maker. Take him away, and there's nothing the Devils can do that the Canes can't.
Last time these two teams met it wasn't even close and back then the Devils were a top team. NJ is probably more ready this time as far as the competitiveness required, especially given the circumstances, but the team is worse so I don't think it matters.
It's the Canes series to lose. They feel comfortable in the 1st round so I don't see that happening.
This should be a hilariously frustrating and awful series that one team is required by law to win.
Canes advance in 5 unwatchable games to get bulldozed in the second round.
If the Devils had Hughes and Hamilton, they would probably win this considering how the Canes have just stopped playing the second they clinched a playoff spot.
Canes advance in 5 unwatchable games to get bulldozed in the second round.
If the Devils had Hughes and Hamilton, they would probably win this considering how the Canes have just stopped playing the second they clinched a playoff spot.
AhosDatsyukian
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I’m not overlooking the Devils but without Hughes they’re gonna have a really tough time winning 4 out of 7 with Canes having home ice advantage. I’m guessing Canes in 5 or 6, winning all the home games and 1 on the road.
ZachaFlockaFlame
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1) NJ didn't have a goalie in that series who could be a game breaker. Laugh at Markstrom all you want but at his peak, he can steal a series let alone games in the playoffs.
2) NJ had Lindy Ruff as coach who would actively team kill in the 2023 playoffs, Keefe is a far better coach than Lindy even though the bar is on the floor with the former.
3) Having said that, you're probably right in the long run. That being said, the Devils core has shown they wanted to make the playoffs badly. You alluded to the 2023 playoff series, Carolina didn't win that because of Aho or Svech having a monster, it was Jordan Martinook and Jesperi Kotkaniemi destroying us. Who's to say that the Devils can't get a series like that from Cody Glass or say Daniel Sprong
Martin Skoula
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On the bright side you don’t have to watch Kampf and Holl start 3 on 3 at least.
ZachaFlockaFlame
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Lol his 3v3 decisions were some of the worst decisions this year you could make. He put Dennis Cholowoski out in 3v3 this year.
Also, your username gives me the worst PTSD....Skoula sucked so f***ing bad lol
AhosDatsyukian
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Recency bias is pretty incredible. With their spot locked in the last 3 games the Canes have looked like complete ass, but just before that they absolutely dominated the Caps, likely 2nd round opponent. Highly doubt there is a bulldozing in round 2. I’d have Caps as favorites still but in 6 or 7 games, with some close losses
Martin Skoula
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Is he still assuming he’ll lose the opening faceoff and front running it with defensive guys?
Martin Skoula was the greatest Leaf of the millennium, he’s the only player to have never let us down in any way. That’s to say nothing of his generational puck poise.
ZachaFlockaFlame
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It's gonna come down to goaltending and if this defense could legit handle Carolina's forecheck at a decent rate. Both things they didn't have in 2023. Graves was f***ing ass, Dougie had no wrists, the goaltending was shambolic from Vanecek and Schmid. Carolina basically has to have the same script going into this series. I can see either a very short series in favor of Carolina or NJ wins in 6 or 7. Also Bratt has to show up this series, he was a ghost in that Carolina series in 2023.
ZachaFlockaFlame
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They've taken a back step back in 3v3 OT since the Lindy days, the Devils were pretty automatic when we got to 3v3. I don't know if it's coaching or more emphasis on defense but they just play more lethargic in OT. Jack pre-injury looked like a shell of himself in the format whereas before I think some Devils fans would put him on par with McDavid/Mack in 3v3. It could also just be an off year with guys adjusting but ya Keefe seems a bit confused in 3v3's lol
Hurricanes in 6
The absences of Hamilton and Hughes will be too much to overcome. Losing your best forward and defenseman at the same time always hurts. Siegenthaler will comeback just in time for the first round but it won’t be enough.
The absences of Hamilton and Hughes will be too much to overcome. Losing your best forward and defenseman at the same time always hurts. Siegenthaler will comeback just in time for the first round but it won’t be enough.
Big Daddy Cane
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ZachaFlockaFlame
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Would be a massive get. As much as I possibly want Gritsyuk for this series and run, the Canes adding Nikishin seems like a more important get and factor to this series.
HydratedByStormBrew
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I’m not sure he plays in the playoffs unless there is an injury. Nikishin will have to build trust with Rod first and Rod doesn’t blend the blue line, literally ever.
ZachaFlockaFlame
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Valid point but I think with the Canes struggles in the playoffs with scoring in random series and how special teams have destroyed them in the past, he might think differently especially if the Devils steal a game or two in Raleigh.
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MoneyManny
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PeoriaBlues309
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Almost went Canes in 5, but went 6 because I feel like NJ will shockingly make it a series.
This series would be way more fun if the Devils were healthy.
This series would be way more fun if the Devils were healthy.
Uncle Scrooge
Hockey Bettor
I'm not a big believer in goalies stealing an entire series from the better team. If a goalie gets the spotlight there's usually a lot more factors that go into it, and outshooting your opponent doesn't necessarily mean you're better overall. But sure, Markstrom can be good and the Devils have shown the ability to defend.
Keefe went 1/6 in the playoffs with the Leafs though. Sure it's the Leafs and all that, but I don't think there was a single series you looked at and said they should definitely lose this on paper. Most of the time it was the opposite. But who knows maybe he coaches the underdog better.
I think the Canes depth guys are more suited for the playoffs than Cody Glass and Daniel Sprong. I don't think im out of line saying that. And by the way, Svechnikov wasn't even in the lineup for the Canes last time they played each other.
But yeah at the end of the day it's sports. Canes can play like ass and lose. Or it wouldn't be the first time they just can't score. But I see their chances of winning this series way up there in terms of %.
Right now it looks like the Canes don't have any elite scorers. You'd maybe expect that from Aho but he has sputtered lately. Hischier has 14 pts in his last ten games, while Aho has 6 pts in that span.
Ultimately though I think Slavin out there with last change is going to give the Canes a big advantage shutting down Hischier and Bratt.
If Nikishin can step in and make a difference, that would be huge, because the Canes' bottom of the lineup D look to me like a weakness. The Devils D depth is better.
Canucks LB
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Oh God, I can edit in here, that means I am a moderator for the playoffs 
NJD in 7!
NJD in 7!
Zirakzigil
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Oh God, I can edit in here, that means I am a moderator for the playoffs
NJD in 7!
wunderpanda
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