Pre-Game Talk: Carolina at Toronto

[Carolinas Identity*]

On paper I think we have a better team and road games like this are what we need to win to be taken seriously as a playoff team in this league.

6-1 Final w/ Hainsey scoring every goal... even Toronto's

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[Anton Dubinchuk]

Toronto's playing incredibly well right now but for some reason I see this as winnable.

Hopefully we can build from the 2nd and 3rd period of last game (as Olczyk commented last night) and come out with 2!

 

[golfpro827]

def a "see where we are" game.

We never seem to play well in Toronto.

Hopefully Komi gets put in the lineup for this one.

 

[Lazyking]

need 5pts in 3 games to stay on even pace for playoffs.. doable.

 

[What the Faulk]

I'd be shocked if Komisarek wasn't in. Bellemore played one shift in the third period, and Muller hinted this morning that he'd probably play Komisarek in Toronto. And I highly doubt Murpy is coming out this time.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I can only echo the sentiment that this is a "see where we are" game. The Leafs have been playing over their heads a bit lately and are due to let up a little. They aren't as good a team on paper as the Hawks and Pens, but they are solid and probably more on the level of Detroit and LA, both of whom we played evenly.

The thing that worries me the most about this team is that we just flat out cannot match up defensively with our opponents on the road. We have a very clear hierarchy of which pairings are capable of playing against top units and which are not. That Murphy-Harrison pairing is going to get brutalized against other teams' first lines... can you imagine Murphy defending Kessel? There's real potential for highlight reel goals against. Muller is going to have to figure out a way to make our personnel situation work, otherwise it's going to be tough for us to win on the road.

 

[Unsustainable]

I think this is a winnable game, where Chicago I didn't.

I hate to think of it as a must win, but I think there is some urgency needed here.

 

[Novacane]

Hoping we get Reimer instead of Bernier.

 

[Eco]

Canes 2-0 Maple Leafs

 

[HisIceness]

def a "see where we are" game.

We never seem to play well in Toronto.

Hopefully Komi gets put in the lineup for this one.

I don't know, I think we do pretty well there tbh.

 

[Lynk]

I can see the Canes winning this one by a large margin with 1 player making up the majority of the score sheet.

 

[Wolfpuck]

Honestly, we're due for a big win, and the Leafs are due for a loss. Whether or not these happen tomorrow remains to be seen, but I like our chances.

 

[Scoogs]

If Komisarek is ANYTHING like he was in Toronto, he's going to be too psyched for this game and try to do more than he is capable of, which leads to bone-head plays and/or penalties.

It kills me because I really like the guy.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

Hey guys dropping in wondering how Komisarek has been for you guys? I really love that guy and honestly hope he thrives, didn't work out in toronto but I can't help but want that guy to succeed.

As well is it likely we'll see Lindholm tomorrow? (man crush on him) Another question is how is Ryan Murphy looking for you guys ?

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

Hey guys dropping in wondering how Komisarek has been for you guys? I really love that guy and honestly hope he thrives, didn't work out in toronto but I can't help but want that guy to succeed.

As well is it likely we'll see Lindholm tomorrow? (man crush on him) Another question is how is Ryan Murphy looking for you guys ?

Komisarek's played one game. He made a couple of defensive zone mistake (and is very slow) but landed two HUGE checks including a hipcheck in the neutral zone that was lined up perfectly.

Lindholm probably isn't playing. Murphy's pretty much getting better every game, his offensive skills are noticeably incredible, and his defensive zone shortcomings are not as drastic as we all anticipated. That being said, his bread and butter is the point, and he might already be the biggest gamechanger we've had there in recent memory.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Hey guys dropping in wondering how Komisarek has been for you guys? I really love that guy and honestly hope he thrives, didn't work out in toronto but I can't help but want that guy to succeed.

He's only played 1 game. According to the coaching staff, with all the time off, he's not back to game speed yet. I suspect he'll play against the Leafs though.

As well is it likely we'll see Lindholm tomorrow? (man crush on him)

Unlikely. He's been injured and today is the first day without a no contact jersey. Coaching staff said he's not likely to play against the Leafs, maybe against the Isles.

Another question is how is Ryan Murphy looking for you guys ?

Up and down. Still weak in his own zone as you'd expect from a small, young guy, but he's been getting beter. The game against Chicago was probably his best game and he was very good offensively and played 25 min.

Unfortunately, with Gleason out, the Canes have to rely on Faulk and Sekera way too much. It would be better to have guys like Bellemore, Harrison and Murphy getting more sheltered minutes, but they don't have the luxury so the get overmatched a bit.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I'm not as confident as others are about this game. The Leafs are a physical team and the Canes can struggle against teams like that. They are also a very opportunistic team that makes the most of other teams mistakes so the Canes will have to minimize any mistakes to be successful.

 

[TheOllieC]

I'm not as confident as others are about this game. The Leafs are a physical team and the Canes can struggle against teams like that. They are also a very opportunistic team that makes the most of other teams mistakes so the Canes will have to minimize any mistakes to be successful.

Yeah well we have Ron Hainsey so you should be optimistic.

 

[What the Faulk]

I'm still not understanding the Ron Hainsey stuff

 

[Leaf Rocket]

Komisarek's played one game. He made a couple of defensive zone mistake (and is very slow) but landed two HUGE checks including a hipcheck in the neutral zone that was lined up perfectly.

Lindholm probably isn't playing. Murphy's pretty much getting better every game, his offensive skills are noticeably incredible, and his defensive zone shortcomings are not as drastic as we all anticipated. That being said, his bread and butter is the point, and he might already be the biggest gamechanger we've had there in recent memory.

Good to hear. Thanks !

I've always been intrigued by Murphy, I know he has all the offensive skill in the world but the thing I always preach about is defense...so that kind of made my view on him sour I guess However I'm glad to hear he's changing his game up and getting better then! Shame to hear about Lindholm though, hope he gets back soon, love that kid.

I'm not as confident as others are about this game. The Leafs are a physical team and the Canes can struggle against teams like that. They are also a very opportunistic team that makes the most of other teams mistakes so the Canes will have to minimize any mistakes to be successful.

Tbh..the best game we've played this season is the game we lost against the Avs. We have been fairly shaky...our defense is good and we are getting more comfortable with each other but we aren't tightening up our game and I wouldn't be surprised if lost this one. I guess the real key difference for this year is our goalies have been good and competitive enough to make sure they play out of their minds in the net.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Tbh..the best game we've played this season is the game we lost against the Avs. We have been fairly shaky...our defense is good and we are getting more comfortable with each other but we aren't tightening up our game and I would be surprised if lost this one. I guess the real key difference for this year is our goalies have been good and competitive enough to make sure they play out of their minds in the net.

You would or wouldn't be surprised?

 

[Leaf Rocket]

You would or wouldn't be surprised?

I wouldn't be surprised my bad! typo

 

[Unsustainable]

You would or wouldn't be surprised?

 

[radioandradiation]

Listening to M vs W about how Toronto's numbers are much worse than their current record would belie, I would think that we could come out ahead on this game. The key is our zone control I think, and solid goal tending as per usual.

I hope Komi comes up strong against his old team. We need his big body presence with the goonish size Toronto has gained. I agree that it would make sense for him to go in and Bellemore to be the healthy scratch. I think Murphy's play making factor is just too strong to take him out of the equation, where we need pass control and a bit more offensive sting. He also appears to be good at keeping his head up.

Word on the twitter is that Lindholm could be good to go for the Islander game, and Gleason is riding with the team and should start skating soon.

Will be interesting to see if the lines stay the same. Ruu seemed pretty snappy on the first line last night.

 

[HisIceness]

I'm all for Komi playing.