By Adam Gold, 99.9 the Fan radio presenter
“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” “Henry Ford.”
Game 6 at Madison Square Garden is the first opportunity for the Carolina Hurricanes to make their way to the Eastern Conference Finals. There is no doubt that they have the belief that they can win on Broadway. Damn, they’ve done it twice in the last month and a half.
At the risk of being labeled a “hater,” it’s simply a fact that the Cannes are 0-5 at the PNC Arena this postseason. It is also a fact that they are unbeaten at home in 7 games. Of course, none of that means anything for tonight’s possible final game against the Rangers.
Contrary to popular belief, the Hurricanes have not been significantly outnumbered by the New York Rangers. Now, I’m not suggesting Carolina was the best team in Game 4, or even Game 3, when she beat Igor Shesterkin with 44 shots on goal. But Tuesday night’s game was over for Carolina.
The reason the Rangers won was simple. They took advantage of their chances while Carolina did not. They were better than the Cannes in their power plays. And, well, Shesterkin was the winner of the Vezina Trophy and the Hart Trophy nominee.
But Brett Pesce could have scored early in the first period, which would have put the Hurricanes 1-0 up. Then, even after the Rangers went 2-0 up – with a little help from a couple of failed clean-up attempts – Carolina dominated the 2nd period. Teuvo Teravainen and Martin Necas had goals on goal.
Turbo’s offer was partially deflected by defender K’Andre Miller before Shesterkin smoothed a pad to keep Carolina off the board. Necas, who came up with half an empty net, hit his helpless impulse off the net. If any play results in a goal from Cannes, and both should do so, we have a different story.
According to NaturalStatTrick.com, at 5 to 5, Carolina had a 29-16 lead over New York on goal occasions. They had 11 “High Danger” chances against the Rangers. And the expected goals showed a 1.9 to 1.59 lead for the Hurricanes. Does this mean that the Canes were better than the Blue Shirts? No. My point is just that the match was not the one-sided affair that was told from the final score of 4-1.
There has only been one game this postseason in which the sticks have been bad. Interestingly, that was in Game 6 in Boston. Carolina played with little energy and seemed resigned to relying on the ice at home. It would be a serious misjudgment to review this strategy.
The Rangers could have won Game 1 very easily. They were 2:23 away from snatching the ice from home to the Hurricanes before Sebastian Aho’s goal sent the game into extra time. Oh, and let’s not forget that if it weren’t for the overturned goal early in the second period on Thursday night, New York would have maintained a 2-1 lead and it’s a completely different game.
There are no guarantees in any city. It’s anyone’s game. There’s no reason not to go out and finish it tonight.
A Jarvis …
Rod Brind’Amour to his future 20-year-old star.
“He certainly doesn’t play like a 20-year-old, or really a freshman.”
“He’s been very good from day one, but now he’s confident and looking to make elite plays when he has the record.”
“He’s always in the right place … the adjustments we’re constantly making, he picks them up so quickly and he’s probably our best player right now, at least he’s up there.”
This may sound familiar …
Sharp-Aho-Jarvis
Svechnikov-Trocheck-Necas
Niederreiter-Staal-Fast
Martinook-Kotkaniemi-Domi
Slavin-DeAngelo
Skjei-Peix
Smith-Cole
Beach
Do you want to bet?
ML: Carolina EVEN / New York -120. O / U: 5.5 goals.
Game 6 coverage will be at 7:00 a.m. at 99.9 the Fan with Storm Watch starring Dennis Cox. The opening against the Hurricanes and Rangers arrives just after 8 p.m. Don’t forget to follow the Cannes Corner podcast. A new episode launches the game #MorningAfter every Hurricanes.