Kukla's Korner Hockey
Canes Or Rangers?
by Paul on 05/30/22 at 02:56 PM ET
Comments (11)
from Sportsnet,
What will win out: Carolina's home record, or New York's elimination game record?
It's the ultimate question coming in. Carolina's home/road splits have been a defining aspect of their path here, as has New York's unflinching approach to their four elimination games so far.
The Canes' two-faced numbers are as staggering as inexplicable. At home, they average 3.57 goals per game, and allow an average of just 1.14 against. That's what you'd expect from a division champ and a Cup hopeful looking to jump over a hurdle this spring. And the way they started against Boston last round, with back-to-back wins in Games 1 and 2 by a combined 10-3 score, the Canes looked like they would plow through one opponent...but then they hit the road.
Away from PNC Arena these playoffs the Hurricanes average just 1.67 goals for and allow an average of 4.33 goals against. It's a curious development for a team whose 25 regular season road wins were tied for tops in the league. So while Saturday's 5-2 loss at MSG was concerning for Carolina's inconsistent play and the results they got in net, there's every indication they'll be a much different team back home on Monday.
The Rangers have played the Hurricanes much tighter in PNC Arena than did Boston, with one loss in OT and a couple of two-goal losses, one of which included an empty-netter. More importantly for the Rangers is that in these playoffs they have already faced elimination four times and won each of those games by at least two goals.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
I don’t remember who I picked to win but I am pretty sure it was the Rangers.
Posted by Royal Grand Exalted PooBah from the basement of the Alamo on 05/30/22 at 03:47 PM ET
Unless the Rangers can skate faster, unless Zibanejad and Kreider can overcome the smothering defense of Staal et al, the Canes should win a close one. I expect Igor to stand on his head to keep it close, but NY needs to test the weak goalie with more shots
Posted by exor54 on 05/30/22 at 04:37 PM ET
Don’t really care who wins as long as they win the next round. Go rangacaines.
Posted by cigar_nurse from On LTIR for the Greenville Pylons on 05/30/22 at 08:47 PM ET
I’m rooting for Tampa. It’d be cool to see a three peat and the alternative is Colorado or Canada winning the cup. No thanks. Keep the streak alive!
Posted by ThatGuy on 05/30/22 at 09:38 PM ET
Rangers vs Defending Champs? Not even hard.. Champa Bay all the way..
Just. Cant. Get. My. Head. To. Acknowledge. The. Abbalanch…
So, time to jump on the Conner McDrysaddle bandwagon….Good to see that anonymous GM Guy having some success… how longs has he been there?? Asking for a friend….
Posted by Rumbear from Top O the Hasek, sing along The YzerMan Can!...... on 05/30/22 at 11:12 PM ET
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I’m pulling for the canes just because I can’t stand reading Brooks’s pieces on how great the Rangers are. If they lose he’ll write one or two pieces about injustices which I can handle.
Posted by TreKronor on 05/30/22 at 03:30 PM ET