2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk

[MrazeksVengeance]

Marchand’s cartoonish villainy has two redeeming qualities.

1-It’s sometimes so cartoonish it’s entertaining.

2- As @Vagrant pointed out, he’s not going to do Tom Wilson/Dustin Brown kind of stuff.

 

[DougieSmash]

I believe we could beat Stars/Blues/Avs/Sharks in 6 but CBJ/Bruins will be tough task.

 

[Canes]

If we can survive Washington, we can survive Boston or Columbus. It's not like we coasted into the ECF beating bad teams. The two teams we beat were about as different as you can get too, an offensive juggernaut and then one of the best defensive teams in the league if not the best.

 

[HisIceness]

I hope Columbus wins tonight so we can at least get a game 7 out of those two.

 

[RodTheBawd]

If we can survive Washington, we can survive Boston or Columbus. It's not like we coasted into the ECF beating bad teams. The two teams we beat were about as different as you can get too, an offensive juggernaut and then one of the best defensive teams in the league if not the best.

Boston is in a different class than the Caps.

 

[Canes]

Boston is in a different class than the Caps.

I don't really think so. They only finished 3 points better than Caps in the regular season while getting to beat up on the bottom feeding Atlantic teams.

I think Washington's roster is better from top to bottom, and I take their top players over Boston's top players quite easily. There's a reason the Caps won the Cup last year while Boston finally advanced to the 2nd round last year for the first time since 2014.

There's an argument to be made that Boston might be better than the Caps, but I don't see how they're in a different class at all.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I don't really think so. They only finished 3 points better than Caps in the regular season while getting to beat up on the bottom feeding Atlantic teams.

I think Washington's roster is better from top to bottom, and I take their top players over Boston's top players quite easily. There's a reason the Caps won the Cup last year while Boston finally advanced to the 2nd round last year for the first time since 2014.

There's an argument to be made that Boston might be better than the Caps, but I don't see how they're in a different class at all.

Boston's top line is terrifying. Two of the game's most dominant scorers, with the best defensive center in the middle.

That being said, I feel like our team's greatest strength is in neutralizing top lines. If we could pull that off against the Bruins, the rest of the matchups aren't as daunting. And the Bruins historically have been one of those teams that if you can stop their momentum, their building gets a little uncomfortable and the local media starts to eat their own. It's kind of the same thing that keeps the Leafs and Habs in check.

Something about Columbus is just unnerving to me. They have scorers all over the lineup, they've got a great group of defensemen, and they've got Bobrovsky. The idea of catching that team on a high, with Tortorella coaching them in a last-chance run, with a fanbase that's 2002 Carolina levels of excited... that's what playoff nightmares are made of.

Between the two evils, I feel like we'd stand a better chance against Boston.

 

[Canes]

Boston's top line is terrifying. Two of the game's most dominant scorers, with the best defensive center in the middle.

That's by far the best part of their team. And Washington's top line is arguably just as good if not better (at least offensively 5 on 5, to clarify further) which kinda strengthens my point about Boston not being in a different class than Washington, especially when you start considering Washington's depth.

Boston's PP is better though. If we have to PK a lot vs. them we won't be having a good time.

 

[HisIceness]

Boston strikes first. Jackets challenging for GI.

Jackets win the challenge. No goal, 0-0.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Looked like a good call to me. Nordstrom clearly pushed him.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Bruins had the better scoring chances. The Bergeron line is scary.

 

[backwards motion]

Someone with more authority to do a poll for rest the playoffs and what's the fans expectations? Even though I could do it, just feels wrong. Sure I'm interested, and could be talked in this this thread. Just saying, would be interested to see what people think.

Just a thought. I'm just witnessing this lovely thing that's happening without my "own town agenda". Sure I love you dudes and dudettes, but... yeah, it's not the same when you are behind your own franchise.

Just a thought. Still loving the team and fans, no matter what they think what will come. This team (and fans) have given me so much positivity when I have had serious grievings in my personal life. Which I will not bring up, if you don't know. Let's keep it positive. And you have, which I love.

 

[My Special Purpose]

I honestly don't care who we play. I don't think there's a bit of difference between the two teams.

I think we match up *slightly* better with Boston, but we'd have home ice against Columbus, so I think that cancels out.

Their goalies are similar, too. We've had good nights against both Bob and Rask and we've been held down by both of them as well.

I also have to admit something. You all know I grew up as a Whalers fan outside of Hartford, but what you didn't know is that from 1975, when I went to my first Whalers game, through 1979, when the Whalers joined the NHL, I was also a big fan of the Bruins. Lots of people from CT rooted for both because they weren't in the same league, so it was "legal." My first NHL jersey was a BOURQUE No. 7 Bruins jersey.

I have a very healthy hate for the B's now, though, mostly due to Marchand and Jack Edwards. But back in the day, watching Bruins games from the Garden on TV38 with Fred Cusick and Johnny Peirson was pretty awesome. I really miss the old rinks. Now I'm sad.

 

[ChuckW]

I don't want Boston. I want Columbus.

 

[HisIceness]

Damn what a save by Bob on the short-handed attempt.

 

[HisIceness]

Both of these teams like to knock their own net off their moorings.

 

[cptjeff]

Any team that makes a conference final will be very good in a lot of areas of the game and will have enough strengths to scare the crap out of any team in the league. We have one of the league's most exhausting forechecks capable of breaking down any defensive system, we have the league's best overall group of defensemen (not to be confused with the Isles best defensive system filled with mediocre players) top to bottom, we have a balanced mix of physical players who can score and delicate passers and precision shooters who can hustle and defend, and we have we look like a team of destiny and never give up. And we have an arena full of fans who buck the team up and can keep them competitive in any series.

Either of Boston or Columbus would be a tough out. But they're gonna be nervous looking at us on the other side of the ice too.

 

[backwards motion]

Personally, as a convert bandwagon fan, I just want someone who we can win. I think Carolina is hot as hell and dialed in. Which ever opponent comes next round, won't be an easy one. I couldn't pick which is better or worse, but the things this team has done to prove themselves since earlier this year is nothing short of miracle. In a no offence way. They have just got so good with battling, even earning more fans etc. And even when there's injuries, this rest gives us more time. No way in hell the leaders of the team will let us rust in this period, they will come to play they hearts out.

Sure, next round will be hard... but...but... was washington a team that you'd like to play?! was red hot isles a team you want to play?? This is playoffs. This is for real and the grit even with injuries, Carolina has proven that no team wants to play against them.

 

[HisIceness]

Since the franchise relocated to North Carolina, years ending with 9 have resulted in the Canes and Bruins facing each other.

1999: First round
2009: Second round
2019: Third round?

It could be our destiny, or something.

 

[My Special Purpose]

Our forecheck stands to be more effective against Boston's defense. Columbus has some big boys on defense who aren't afraid to handle the puck. Boston's guys are smaller (Krug, McAvoy, Grzelcyk, Clifton) and/or not great with the puck (Carlo, Chara) and can be pressured.

 

[HisIceness]

Bruins break the scoreless tie.

 

[ChuckW]

Since the franchise relocated to North Carolina, years ending with 9 have resulted in the Canes and Bruins facing each other.

1999: First round
2009: Second round
2019: Third round?

It could be our destiny, or something.

1990 and 1991 also have "9s" in them!

 

[My Special Purpose]

That crossbar behind Rask is getting a workout.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Our forecheck stands to be more effective against Boston's defense. Columbus has some big boys on defense who aren't afraid to handle the puck. Boston's guys are smaller (Krug, McAvoy, Grzelcyk, Clifton) and/or not great with the puck (Carlo, Chara) and can be pressured.

True, but the flip side arguments are 1) Canes would get home ice against CBJ and 2) the Bruins forwards and PP are more dangerous and harder to contain.

 

[HisIceness]

Bad hit by McAvoy. Only 2 minutes though.