Gold: Game 5 preview and a feeling of deja vu

By Adam Gold, radio host for 99.9 the Fan

Contrary to #CanesTwitter, the series between the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers is not over. Well, it’s almost over as there are only a maximum of three games left regardless of which team wins Game 5. But, the notion that the Canes can’t beat the Rangers after losing twice in New York defies logic.

Were you asleep two weeks ago when the Hurricanes went to Boston, lost twice at TD Garden and then followed that up with a win in Game 5 over the Bruins? I mean, apart from a few minor details, the scenario is exactly the same.

Carolina was the better team through two games at home. Went to New York, and while they played pretty well in Game 3, didn’t in Game 4 and came off their discipline a bit and that was enough for New York to even the series. The same thing happened against the Bruins. Then Carolina bounced back and won Game 5 on home ice. There isn’t much difference between the Hurricanes and Rangers, statistically speaking, and the fact that this series is 2-2 shouldn’t be surprising to a single person who follows the National Hockey League.

With that said, New York does have the hands-down Vezina Trophy winning goaltender this year in Igor Shesterkin. New York’s latest star goalie has a .959 SV% in this series. Their four high-end offensive players (Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider and Adam Fox) combined for 328 points this year – plus another 42 in the playoffs. And, the Rangers’ power play, one of the best during the regular season, is operating at a 26.7% clip in the playoffs.

Antti Raanta’s been great in goal for the Hurricanes, but it’s those other two areas that have some feeling as though Carolina trails in this 2-2 series. The Canes’ top four offensive performers (Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, Teuvo Teravainen and Tony DeAngelo) combined for 286 points during the regular season but just 31 in the playoffs. That has extended to the power play which is now 5 for 45 (11.1%) in 11 games.

Gotta get it in gear...

Andrei Svechnikov has gone without a point in eight of his last nine games. Jesperi Kotkanimei and Martin Necas (each part of the power play mix) haven’t scored at all in the playoffs. Vincent Trocheck has gone the last six games without a point. Sebastian Aho has just one assist in five road games. Yadda, yadda, yadda…

And yet, the series is TIED.

Line ‘em up…

As predicted on the Canes Corner Podcast (by me), we’re going to see Jordan Martinook draw back into the line up.

Teravainen-Aho-Jarvis

Svechnikov-Trocheck-Necas

Niederreiter-Staal-Fast

Martinook-Kotkaniemi-Domi

Slavin-DeAngelo

Skjei-Pesce

Smith-Cole

Raanta

Wanna bet…?

ML: Carolina -160/New York +135. O/U: 5.5 goals.

Coverage begins at 6 p.m. on 99.9 the Fan with Storm Watch starring Dennis Cox. Opening face off comes just after 7 with Mike Masniscalco and Shane Willis. Don’t forget to follow the Canes Corner Podcast as there is a new episode the #MorningAfter every Hurricanes game.