GDT: Biggest game of the season

[Navin R Slavin]

I didn't watch either.

And I don't intend to watch until they're in the playoffs.

 

[DaveG]

At least we beat the Flyers. Would beating the Penguins give us the tiebreaker over the third seed in the Metropolitan?

Yep. ROW ROW ROW that boat

 

[VaCaps Fan]

I need to get my car fixed up if it’s a caps-canes first round... (I will avoid 328 out of respect)

 

[DaveG]

I need to get my car fixed up if it’s a caps-canes first round... (I will avoid 328 out of respect)

You good fam. I'm hoping for a division finals matchup for good reason though.

 

[VaCaps Fan]

Young guns are the canes these days...

 

[The Faulker 27]

As seen on Reddit.

Know that feel brah.

 

[My Special Purpose]

I didn't watch either.

And I don't intend to watch until they're in the playoffs.

Obviously, you've gotta do you, good sir. But IMO, we're going to get our a$$es handed to us in the playoffs. You should really watch these games, which have playoff intensity and huge ramifications, with the added bonus of the chance of us actually scoring more goals than the other guys.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited that our long nightmare appears to be coming to an end. But I think we've used up everything we had in the tank getting to this point, and I am expecting a 2001-like early exit. Hopefully, it leads to a 2002-like return to the playoffs, but I'd be shocked if we were even able to make it a series against Washington or Tampa Bay.

 

[FreshSeabass]

I think i want this gif as part of my playoff avatar

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

Obviously, you've gotta do you, good sir. But IMO, we're going to get our a$$es handed to us in the playoffs. You should really watch these games, which have playoff intensity and huge ramifications, with the added bonus of the chance of us actually scoring more goals than the other guys.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited that our long nightmare appears to be coming to an end. But I think we've used up everything we had in the tank getting to this point, and I am expecting a 2001-like early exit. Hopefully, it leads to a 2002-like return to the playoffs, but I'd be shocked if we were even able to make it a series against Washington or Tampa Bay.

Yep, I’m with you here. This has the potential to be the big thing we do this year. I’m not missing the chance to watch them achieve the (modicum of) success that we’ve been waiting for for 10 years.

In the locker room they may talk about how “just making the playoffs” can’t be their goal, and that’s all well and good. But for me watching them clinch (if they do) will be such a monkey off the back moment that I’d kick myself if I missed it.

 

[Drivebytrucker]

How many times did Washington lose in the first two rounds before the cup run? 5 or 6 at least......

You have to start somewhere. The core of this team with its youth and cap flexibility has the potential to be a perennial playoff team for a decade.

With that, gives us the chance to make a cup run.

I'm okay with that. I've already seen a Cup win. That's one more than I ever thought I'd see

 

[DaveG]

Obviously, you've gotta do you, good sir. But IMO, we're going to get our a$$es handed to us in the playoffs. You should really watch these games, which have playoff intensity and huge ramifications, with the added bonus of the chance of us actually scoring more goals than the other guys.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited that our long nightmare appears to be coming to an end. But I think we've used up everything we had in the tank getting to this point, and I am expecting a 2001-like early exit. Hopefully, it leads to a 2002-like return to the playoffs, but I'd be shocked if we were even able to make it a series against Washington or Tampa Bay.

See I honestly believe we have a real chance against any team in the East not named Washington or Tampa. Problem is it looks about 80% sure we're drawing one of the two.

 

[The Faulker 27]

The only reason I'll semi-miss the next 3 is being in Vegas otherwise I wouldn't miss it for the world. I've waited 10 years to have these feels. Will get to see the last game vs PHI. I hope we're basically in by then.

 

[SaskCanesFan]

Obviously, you've gotta do you, good sir. But IMO, we're going to get our a$$es handed to us in the playoffs. You should really watch these games, which have playoff intensity and huge ramifications, with the added bonus of the chance of us actually scoring more goals than the other guys.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited that our long nightmare appears to be coming to an end. But I think we've used up everything we had in the tank getting to this point, and I am expecting a 2001-like early exit. Hopefully, it leads to a 2002-like return to the playoffs, but I'd be shocked if we were even able to make it a series against Washington or Tampa Bay.

See I honestly believe we have a real chance against any team in the East not named Washington or Tampa. Problem is it looks about 80% sure we're drawing one of the two.

I agree with both of you, which is why the Thursday loss still stings so bad. Canes had a real chance to finish ahead of Pittsburgh before that, now I don't like their chances

 

[Blueline Bomber]

Gotta walk before you run. Make the playoffs, get that experience, learn what it takes to succeed and get there consistently. THEN worry about going deep

 

[VAcaniac]

I was very skeptical when Mac started against Montreal. However, he was great. I don’t put that loss on Mac versus the Caps. He was pretty darn good IMO.

As I said before, Mac wasnt bad and the loss wasnt his fault.

Mrazek is just a winner and I guarantee you he stops a least one of those goals.

 

[HisIceness]

How many times did Washington lose in the first two rounds before the cup run? 5 or 6 at least......

You have to start somewhere. The core of this team with its youth and cap flexibility has the potential to be a perennial playoff team for a decade.

With that, gives us the chance to make a cup run.

I'm okay with that. I've already seen a Cup win. That's one more than I ever thought I'd see

This. Playoff experience would be a good thing for the likes of Slavin, Pesce, Aho, and Svechnikov. Another year of just sitting around doing nothing come playoff time isn't good for anyone and anything it would probably demoralize these guys.

 

[The Faulker 27]

Just this run (if they make it) will do this group wonders. Especially with how many haven't seen a post season in the NHL. They're learning how to win. Any talented player can go out and score goals (see Skinner). It takes certain intestinal fortitude to actually go the distance. If you win them, they will come.

 

[VaCaps Fan]

President trophies don’t mean shit in the playoffs. Tampa reminds me of those “failed” Caps teams.

 

[VAcaniac]

I wasnt going to watch this game because I was afraid to watch. Then I realized it was a 1030 pacific start, so I couldnt watch anyway.

After this big win, I feel safe to watch the last 4.

I agree with that other VA Canes fan — having personally watched the Caps implode playoff after playoff, its kind of hard for me to be afraid of them. Tampa on the other hand....We couldnt even beat them in some of our best years.

 

[Negan4Coach]

Glad I DVR'd this. Was at Paraclete in Raeford leading a birthday party of 8 young ladies thru indoor skydiving, otherwise I'd have been there.

So for the people who say we'll be stomped in the playoffs- they said that in '09 against monster NJ and BOS teams. Yeah, they weren't Tampa, but I think both those teams were better than present day WAS. And I kinda like this team better than the '09 team. Mrazek has the eye of the tiger like Cam did, and the team is bigger and faster and tougher. I like our chances.

 

[CaniacSZN]

Not a single defensive zone shift for any line besides Staals.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

Obviously, you've gotta do you, good sir. But IMO, we're going to get our a$$es handed to us in the playoffs. You should really watch these games, which have playoff intensity and huge ramifications, with the added bonus of the chance of us actually scoring more goals than the other guys.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited that our long nightmare appears to be coming to an end. But I think we've used up everything we had in the tank getting to this point, and I am expecting a 2001-like early exit. Hopefully, it leads to a 2002-like return to the playoffs, but I'd be shocked if we were even able to make it a series against Washington or Tampa Bay.

I will be comparatively delighted to watch them get swept in the first round.

I can absolutely not handle watching them not even get to the first round with like 96 points.

I waited until today, the very last day, to renew my tickets for next year, and if they'd lost, I might not have. It's gotten to the point where the pain of watching them lose outweighs the pleasure of watching them win.

If they win, I can always see the highlights. If they lose, and I watched them lose, it sucks for days and I dwell on it.

Anyway. Go whomever.

 

[zman77]

 

[Ahoy there]

As I've always said, I hate Nash and Winn

 

[3CanesInTheBox]

I'm cautiously optimistic we can make some noise in the playoffs--depending on how the seeding works out--but I agree that the journey itself has been amazing. Underdog comeback story, storm surges, a city re-learning to love the team again. it's all good stuff. i will root fiercely and irrationally for them if and when they make the playoffs of course, but I'll be proud of the accomplishment of playoff hockey in Raleigh again regardless.