Based on Game One, I feel that the series will go all seven games. Here's 17 more notes ahead of Game 2 between the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes.
Ahead of Game 2 between the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes, The Maven Stan Fischler shares 17 Blueshirts' thoughts:
1. Based on Game One, I feel that the series will go all seven games.
2. The Carolina sniper who scares me the most is Seth Jarvis. I remember watching him star as a Junior for the Portland Winterhawks.
3. I am not an expert on beards, but doesn't it seem to you like Canes' very good defenseman, Brent Burns, is overdoing with that rug hanging from his chin?
4. When the Canes discuss the Rangers power play the one aspect that emerges is their admiration of the Blueshirts' passing speed.
5. The most overlooked, successful general manager in the league happens to be Don Waddell of the Canes.
6. The Maven would love to see a healthy Filip Chytil make a comeback whenever a spot opens.
7. Jonny Brodzinski would be the natural replacement for Rempe should Man Mountain Matt get the hook.
8. Low-minute players like Rempe become a drag. As one scout puts it, "You can't drain the other eleven forwards against a grind-it-out team like Carolina."
9. It wasn't until Chris Drury hooked him that I realized that Jack Roslovic's speed has earned him either of two nicknames: Kid Lightning or Jumpin' Jack.
10. There's a lot to like about Mika Zibanejad apart from his ten points in five games. For one thing, The Marvelous M is affable. For another, I like his quotes. Try this one:
11. Explaining his success: "The puck has gone in, and the guys I've been passing to have scored. I don't think I've changed my game."
12. The Z-Man is neither naive nor stupid. What's changed about this postseason center is his rejuvenated confidence, which comes with success. "My confidence level is different," he allows.
13. A major difference between last year's Blueshirts and the current crew comes down to coach Gerard Gallant and Pistol Pete Laviolette. It has been all about chemistry. This club is happier with Lavvy. Period!
14. Here's some dressing room chemistry: Discussing Zibanejad, Chris Kreider told reporters, "Every year Mika should be a Selke (best defensive forward) Trophy candidate."
15. There are a lot of ways to describe Adam Fox's game. Former Rangers' Newday beat writer Steve Zipay calls him "crafty." I prefer consummate. (Not the soup!)
16. I like Lavvy on Mika: "He's elevated his game because he wants to be a difference-maker."
17. The New York difference-makers tonight should be Igor Shesterkin, K'Andre Miller, Artemi Panarin, and Big Al Lafreniere.