The Hurricanes have to go back to hockey school, pronto, or they'll get swept out of this series, which the Rangers now lead 2-0.
The Hurricanes have to go back to hockey school, pronto, or they'll get swept out of this series, which the Rangers now lead 2-0.
The Canes haven't figured out Igor Shesterkin's magical goaltending.
They think the Rangers' superior power play is aided by robots stuck under the ice.
They haven't learned that New York's penalty killers are out there to score goals.
But Carolina's biggest problem is that they're not sure that they can win tonight's pivotal Game Three with Frederic Andersen in goal.
Now THAT is a problem because Andy missed 48 games this season, and he's more fragile than, say, Iggy on the other side.
So, my friends, don't faint if you happen to see Pyotr Kochetkov tonight between the home team's pipes.
That will be Rod Brind'Amour's game-time decision, depending on how Andersen feels.
Not that Pyotr is a sieve. His 23-13-4 regular season record, coupled with a 2.33 goals-against average, is darn good. But this is pressure playoff stuff, and Brindy would prefer an A-1 Andersen if Freddy is ready.
No question but that Carolina's top unit is going to give the Blueshirts blue liners conniptions The trio -- Sibby Aho, Jake Guentzel, and Andrei Svechnikov -- must be manacled. Frankly, I'm not sure that it's possible.
As one scout puts it: "The Rangers have to cut down on Carolina's middle of the ice entries and limit the middle of the slot shots. Right now, they're relying too much on Shesterkin to bail them out."
There's no denying that the Canes dominated for long periods, five-on-five. They fired 17 more shots than the Blueshirts when the teams were even up.
But what did it get them?
They're down two-zip, and they know in their hearts that if they lose tonight, they are like the burnt toast at the S&L Deli!