Morphinity 2.0 Posted May 16, 2023 Share Posted May 16, 2023 (M1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (WC2) Florida Panthers REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS: Hurricanes: 52-21-9, 113 points Panthers: 42-32-8, 92 points SEASON SERIES: CAR 2-1-0; FLA 1-2-0 GAME BREAKERS: Hurricanes: Sebastian Aho is tied with Jordan Martinook for first on Carolina with 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 11 playoff games after the forward was second with 67 points (team-leading 36 goals, 31 assists) in 75 regular-season games. Although Aho had a relatively quiet second round (one goal, two assists), he demonstrated in the first round he can be a difference-maker with a team-high seven points (four goals, three assists) in six games against the Islanders. Panthers: Matthew Tkachuk leads Florida with 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 12 playoff games after leading it with an NHL career-high 109 points (40 goals, 69 assists) in 79 regular-season games. A finalist for the Hart Trophy given to the most valuable player in the NHL, the forward didn't score a goal in the second round but had five assists and was second on the Panthers with 22 hits in the series behind Sam Bennett's 24. GOALTENDING: Hurricanes: After Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta continued to share the net in the playoffs, Andersen has started the past six games and is 5-0 with a 1.80 goals-against average and .931 save percentage. Raanta started the first five and is 3-2 with a 2.59 GAA and .906 save percentage. Andersen didn't dress for Games 2-4 of the first round because of an illness and minor injury. Raanta was unavailable for Games 2-4 of the second round because of an illness. Panthers: Sergei Bobrovsky has reclaimed the No. 1 job, starting the past nine games after Alex Lyon started the first three playoff games and final eight regular-season games. Bobrovsky is 7-2 with a 2.82 GAA and .918 save percentage in 10 games, including 4-1 with a 1.89 GAA and .943 save percentage in the second round. Lyon went 1-2 with a 3.26 GAA and .902 save percentage in his three starts. X FACTORS: Hurricanes: Brent Burns has added another dimension to the defense since being acquired in a trade with the San Jose Sharks on July 13, 2022. He is tied for third on the Hurricanes with eight points (two goals, six assists) in the playoffs and helped to drive their offense with a team-high 41 shots on goal while averaging a team-high 23:55 of ice time. Carolina has gotten seven goals from defensemen after leading the NHL with 59 at the position in the regular season. Panthers: Carter Verhaeghe is second on Florida with 12 points (five goals, seven assists) and has a knack for coming through in big moments with a team-leading three game-winning goals. Verhaeghe leads the NHL with six game-winning goals and three overtime goals over the past two postseasons, including series-clinching overtime goals against the Washington Capitals in the 2022 first round and Boston in the first round this season. WILL WIN IF: Hurricanes: Depth forwards like Martinook (three goals, seven assists), Jesper Fast (five goals, three assists) and Jordan Staal (two goals, six assists) continue to help offset injuries and the tandem of Andersen and Raanta remains steady. Teravainen's potential return later in the series would be a boost. Panthers:Bobrovsky stays hot, the line of Nick Cousins (two goals, four assists), Bennett (four goals, four assists) and Tkachuk continues to be productive and disruptive, and the defense can withstand the sustained pressure created by the Hurricanes forecheck. MORE: https://www.nhl.com/news/2023-stanley-cup-playoffs-carolina-hurricanes-vs-florida-panthers-eastern-final-preview/c-344384770?tid=344334650 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted May 16, 2023 Share Posted May 16, 2023 Panthers are rolling. 5 games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted May 16, 2023 Share Posted May 16, 2023 (edited) I got the Cats in 6...just 'cause...Brind'amor. But I think this is the series where the loss of Svech and the others rears it's ugly head. Edited May 16, 2023 by Ozzy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted May 16, 2023 Share Posted May 16, 2023 Panthers, but I'm going seven. Canes are too structured to get blown out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted May 16, 2023 Share Posted May 16, 2023 This is going to be a really good series. Too bad this one isn't for the Cup!! I really like Paul Maurice and I have a soft spot for the Panthers. I also really had a blast watching Brind'Amor's system make chopped meat outta the Devils. May the best team win! ..But it's gonna be a fun one to watch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morphinity 2.0 Posted May 16, 2023 Author Share Posted May 16, 2023 If Bobrovsky can keep this level of play up, Panthers are winning the Cup. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe Froman Posted May 16, 2023 Share Posted May 16, 2023 And all on TNT. No ESPN garbage broadcasts. SCF is on TNT also. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sod16 Posted May 16, 2023 Share Posted May 16, 2023 Typical of the league putting off the start of the series two days further than they need to. The Panthers are not a typical Cinderella, as they were first overall last season and played pretty well the second half, but I sense that something will go wrong for them at some point in this series. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpshooter Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 Panthers in six. I'll be rooting for them all the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted May 18, 2023 Share Posted May 18, 2023 Amazing graphic. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karan Posted May 18, 2023 Share Posted May 18, 2023 Hah! I love it. The "come bring it" and "kitty" taunt all in one post, beauty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karan Posted May 18, 2023 Share Posted May 18, 2023 This series is pretty tough to call and I could see either team taking it. But the Canes subpar goaltending and their key injuries up front will likely cost them against the Panthers gritty, never give up style. Going with Panthers in 7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Heaven Posted May 18, 2023 Share Posted May 18, 2023 Teravainen in tonight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe Froman Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Playing for the "Dixie Cup"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keirik Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Quest for Marc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karan Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 (edited) 30 minutes ago, Keirik said: Quest for Marc Fast, Skjei, Raanta and Stepan FTFY Edited May 19, 2023 by Karan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe Froman Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 A lot of these guys have names like former Rangers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NY Chief Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Just no to the Golden Showers hoisting the Cup. Hate Vegas and all it stands for. Perfect home for the Raiders and now A’s 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siddious Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Isn’t Keith jones the president of the flyers now? Why is he still doing these games? Lmao 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe Froman Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 I'll take "The Duke" for the game winner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keirik Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 2 hours ago, Karan said: FTFY Banned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keirik Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 5 minutes ago, Abe Froman said: I'll take "The Duke" for the game winner. I just said the same thing 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keirik Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Lomborg! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keirik Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Uh oh…this might come back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keirik Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Wow. Nuts. How do you reverse that lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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