Bonkers ... just another chapter in this franchise's book of ridiculous comebacks. There's just something about that building, or maybe it's the property ... because for all their dreary frustrations, NC State football has likewise defied reality more times than I can remember off the top of my head right across the parking lot.
Couple of thoughts ...
Sucks to lose Pesce and hopefully his injury won't keep him out too long. The Canes can hide DeAngelo a bit against the Isles, because they've got little depth and even less speed, but after that ... oof. You know who weirdly benefited from the adjusted rotation? Freaking Chatfield. He was everywhere doing everything, and mostly playing with Slavin. He ended up with the second highest expected goals share after Guentzel. I'm not sure how the pairing will go on Thursday, but Chatty gave em something to ponder.
Good on Roy for twisting up the Canes early and completely changing the pace of the game. He started the game back in their passive trap after playing a more conventional forecheck in Game 1, as the Islanders sacrificed possession for their preferred pace. Carolina fought through it, but it did make them work for their possession and cut way down on trasition chances, especially early. After they took that 3-0 lead though, it started breaking down for the Isles. Carolina pinned their ears back and the Isles eventually lost all semblance of system play and just started throwing their bodies into shooting lanes and surviving. That's no way to go with that much time left, and they paid for it.
What on EARTH was up with the linesmen last night? One of them is in his first playoffs, but the other one has been around the block enough to know that throwing somebody out of the circle on EIGHT consecutive draws is unsettling to everybody involved. They eventually toned it down in the 3rd (maybe after a phone call?) but that was just bizarre.
Couple of thoughts ...
Sucks to lose Pesce and hopefully his injury won't keep him out too long. The Canes can hide DeAngelo a bit against the Isles, because they've got little depth and even less speed, but after that ... oof. You know who weirdly benefited from the adjusted rotation? Freaking Chatfield. He was everywhere doing everything, and mostly playing with Slavin. He ended up with the second highest expected goals share after Guentzel. I'm not sure how the pairing will go on Thursday, but Chatty gave em something to ponder.
Good on Roy for twisting up the Canes early and completely changing the pace of the game. He started the game back in their passive trap after playing a more conventional forecheck in Game 1, as the Islanders sacrificed possession for their preferred pace. Carolina fought through it, but it did make them work for their possession and cut way down on trasition chances, especially early. After they took that 3-0 lead though, it started breaking down for the Isles. Carolina pinned their ears back and the Isles eventually lost all semblance of system play and just started throwing their bodies into shooting lanes and surviving. That's no way to go with that much time left, and they paid for it.
What on EARTH was up with the linesmen last night? One of them is in his first playoffs, but the other one has been around the block enough to know that throwing somebody out of the circle on EIGHT consecutive draws is unsettling to everybody involved. They eventually toned it down in the 3rd (maybe after a phone call?) but that was just bizarre.
