So ... you guys waiting for me or Andy I guess. Fine. Sorry for the delay, but I had a doctor's appointment.
OK, here we go. Carolina returns to home ice with a 2-0 series lead after taking both game in Barclays over the Isles. Injuries continue to batter their lineup, as they lost three more in Game 2, but the Canes are like Mr Plow ... nothing deters them. From press availability ahead of this game, Justin Williams summed it up nicely ... "I'm a realist, we haven't played very well. Tonight we need to show them what we're all about." I think that nails it pretty hard. The Canes have been opportunistic and resilient but haven't exactly lit the barn on fire. Still, up 2-0 in the series, it's impossible to complain. The Canes would love to ride the home crowd to a more complete effort tonight. Get the power play sorted, clean up the turnovers that have led to odd man situations, get their possession game really untracked in waves rather than in fits and starts. But at the end of the day, ugly wins count too and the Isles kind of force you to settle for that. Fine. Get a W and nobody cares what it looks like. Sounds like both Ferland and Svech will be gamete decisions, with no good read thus far on Martinook. Yesterday he seemed fairly likely, so we'll see. Brind'Amout actually used the word hopeful ... yeah. That.
From the Isles point of view, we'll probably get some word on Cal Clutterbuck before game time. He has a leg issue, and would be a big miss as he's a serious physical presence for them. I guess we could see Greiss in net if Trotz wants to shake it up, but I doubt it. Lehner has been more than solid so far. Honestly, there's not a ton to say here. They're a counterpunching team that lives on defense and transitions. They need to score, but they'll have to do it in their usual way. If they try to turn up the offensive heat and get out of their normal game, it won't go well and Trotz is too good a coach to fall into that trap. Look for the same grinding Islanders you've come to loathe and hate.
Carry on ... tickets are scarce and expensive. NBCSN has the TV, and Tripp and Maniscalco have the radio. Do what you do.
OK, here we go. Carolina returns to home ice with a 2-0 series lead after taking both game in Barclays over the Isles. Injuries continue to batter their lineup, as they lost three more in Game 2, but the Canes are like Mr Plow ... nothing deters them. From press availability ahead of this game, Justin Williams summed it up nicely ... "I'm a realist, we haven't played very well. Tonight we need to show them what we're all about." I think that nails it pretty hard. The Canes have been opportunistic and resilient but haven't exactly lit the barn on fire. Still, up 2-0 in the series, it's impossible to complain. The Canes would love to ride the home crowd to a more complete effort tonight. Get the power play sorted, clean up the turnovers that have led to odd man situations, get their possession game really untracked in waves rather than in fits and starts. But at the end of the day, ugly wins count too and the Isles kind of force you to settle for that. Fine. Get a W and nobody cares what it looks like. Sounds like both Ferland and Svech will be gamete decisions, with no good read thus far on Martinook. Yesterday he seemed fairly likely, so we'll see. Brind'Amout actually used the word hopeful ... yeah. That.
From the Isles point of view, we'll probably get some word on Cal Clutterbuck before game time. He has a leg issue, and would be a big miss as he's a serious physical presence for them. I guess we could see Greiss in net if Trotz wants to shake it up, but I doubt it. Lehner has been more than solid so far. Honestly, there's not a ton to say here. They're a counterpunching team that lives on defense and transitions. They need to score, but they'll have to do it in their usual way. If they try to turn up the offensive heat and get out of their normal game, it won't go well and Trotz is too good a coach to fall into that trap. Look for the same grinding Islanders you've come to loathe and hate.
Carry on ... tickets are scarce and expensive. NBCSN has the TV, and Tripp and Maniscalco have the radio. Do what you do.
