Thoughts From My Couch

After days of anticipation, the final reveal for the Carolina Hurricanes' starting goalie in Game 4 still left us with a little bit of a bombshell. As many had been clamoring for, Brandon Bussi made his first career postseason start tonight, with the Canes in desperate need of a win to even the series before returning to Raleigh. However, while Bussi was the starter, Frederik Andersen wasn't dressed. Instead, Pyotr Kochetkov served as the backup. While the team listed Andersen as a scratch, it's hard to believe that he'd completely disappear from the lineup without cause. I think the hit he took to the head from Ivan Barbashev was worse than they'd initially anticipated. Nevertheless, the Canes had to soldier on, trying to draw even against a tough Vegas squad. Scoring Summary 1st Period CAR (1:06)- Logan Stankoven (11) (Jalen Chatfield (7) & Jackson Blake (12)) CAR (3:28)- Jackson Blake (6) (Taylor Hall (12) & Nikolaj Ehlers (6)) VGK (7:32)- Mark Stone (7) ...

We have a new series on our hands, and the Carolina Hurricanes must be feeling very good about that. After generating next to nothing for 50 minutes, the Canes found a little life in the series, scoring three straight goals, giving up the tying goal late in regulation, and winning it in overtime to even the series at 1-1 with Vegas. With both games in Raleigh behind them, it was time to take the trip to Las Vegas to begin the next miniature segment. The Golden Knights, despite the loss on Thursday, have to feel pretty good about their spot as well. Home ice is now in their favor after winning Game 1, giving them a chance to use the crowd and the last change to their advantage. Carolina has been perfect on the road thus far this postseason, so there's a little bit of confidence joining them as they try to get ahead in the series for the first time. Scoring Summary 1st Period None 2nd Period VGK (10:26-PP)- Tomas Hertl (5) (Jack Eichel (18) & Mitch Marner (18)) VGK (10:42)- Mitch...

It's a new day, which means it's a chance for the Carolina Hurricanes to win Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. I still haven't gotten over the fact that I'm writing about the Canes being in the Stanley Cup Final. Game 1 wasn't bad, per se, but it certainly wasn't good. It was incredibly entertaining, which is probably not what the Canes were going for. They prefer things to stay boring, as do I. A 5-4 finish marked just the second time that the team has allowed three or more goals this postseason, and they've lost both times. It's the first time they've lost when scoring at least three times. Still, there is plenty of series left to be played, but for the Canes' sake, they really needed to win Game 2. Scoring Summary 1st Period VGK (13:33)- Brett Howden (12) (Mitch Marner (16)) 2nd Period VGK (7:23)- Brett Howden (13) (Ivan Barbashev (8) & Noah Hanifin (7)) 3rd Period CAR (10:20)- Logan Stankoven (10) (unassisted) CAR (12:46)- Mark Jankowski (...

The moment has finally arrived for the Carolina Hurricanes. After 20 years and numerous frustrations, they'll begin their quest for the Stanley Cup on Tuesday night. Very little has gone wrong during the Canes' run to the fourth round. They've lost one game through the first three rounds, making it look way easier than it probably has been. That won't be the case in the Stanley Cup Final. The Vegas Golden Knights might've lost more games than they won during the regular season, but they've looked like a juggernaut since John Tortorella took over with eight games remaining in the regular season. They have the high-end skill to give the Canes fits. This series won't be for the faint of heart, though I have no doubt that the Lenovo Center will be absolutely rocking for tonight's opener. Scoring Summary 1st Period CAR (0:25)- Nikolaj Ehlers (5) (Jaccob Slavin (3) & Jalen Chatfield (5)) CAR (12:08)- Nikolaj Ehlers (6) (Jalen Chatfield (6)) VGK (13:28)- Sh...

M1. Carolina Hurricanes  vs.  P1. Vegas Golden Knights Carolina's Path : No team has gotten to the Stanley Cup Final in fewer games than the Hurricanes did this season. They needed 13 games over three rounds to reach the Stanley Cup Final. They swept both Ottawa and Philadelphia on the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. After dropping the first game, 6-2, to the Montreal Canadiens, the Canes won the next four contests to secure the Prince of Wales Trophy. Taylor Hall sits third in the league with 16 points, helping to drive a line with Jackson Blake (5-10-15) and Logan Stankoven (9-3-12) that has been the best in the league this postseason. Frederik Andersen has experienced a Renaissance, so to speak, going 12-1 with a 1.41 GAA and a .931 save percentage. Vegas' Path : It might've taken Vegas a few more games than Carolina, but they've been just as impressive. They faced a tough test against Utah in the first round, trailing 2-1 in the series and 4-3 midway through t...

The Carolina Hurricanes have a chance to finish the job. They need one more win. One more 60-minute effort like they have in Game 4. One more complete buy-in from the entire team on the ice. They bent the Canadiens to their will on Wednesday night. It wasn't the most exciting game to watch, but that's how we like these games to go. There's no chance that the Canadiens will be that easy to put away tonight, which is why I'm expecting to see their absolute best in Game 5. You know that they'll get the goaltending possible from Jakub Dobes, making this fourth win incredibly hard to come by. Scoring Summary 1st Period CAR (9:17)- Taylor Hall (5) (Logan Stankoven (2) & Jackson Blake (10)) CAR (15:12)- Logan Stankoven (9) (Taylor Hall (10) & Alexander Nikishin (1)) CAR (16:52)- Eric Robinson (3) (William Carrier (3)) 2nd Period CAR (7:19)- Jackson Blake (5) (Taylor Hall (11) & Logan Stankoven (3)) CAR (18:02-PP)- Shayne Gostisbehere (2) (Seth Jarvis (5) & ...