I know we've long since stopped thinking playoffs, but the team hasn't. They were somewhat pleased with the OTL against Buffalo and "getting that point", even if we know that it's a longshot at best. But teams in front do keep losing. They're 7 points behind Washington (who absolutely sucks right now) and Winnipeg (who they still have 2 games with and hold 2 games in hand against. Sweep the weekend and see Washington lose twice in regulation, and the Sports Club Stats percentage goes up to a 5.5% shot. Granted, they're looking at an 11-2-2 finish to even have a >50% shot, but they're going to fight for it. Even if JR was down after the Florida game, I have to think that was his motivation for keeping Spacek and Allen. After basically coming out and saying that re-signing talks weren't going well, there just isn't another explanation.
I know we've long since stopped thinking playoffs, but the team hasn't. They were somewhat pleased with the OTL against Buffalo and "getting that point", even if we know that it's a longshot at best. But teams in front do keep losing. They're 7 points behind Washington (who absolutely sucks right now) and Winnipeg (who they still have 2 games with and hold 2 games in hand against. Sweep the weekend and see Washington lose twice in regulation, and the Sports Club Stats percentage goes up to a 5.5% shot. Granted, they're looking at an 11-2-2 finish to even have a >50% shot, but they're going to fight for it. Even if JR was down after the Florida game, I have to think that was his motivation for keeping Spacek and Allen. After basically coming out and saying that re-signing talks weren't going well, there just isn't another explanation.
Take how we've been playing recently, and add a healthy Ruutu to the mix (assuming the rational conclusion that it makes the team better, which may or may not happen) and playoffs aren't impossible. Granted, they're unlikely enough that I'd prefer to not win another game this year and snag Nail (Columbus is playing SO well right now haha), but it definitely makes the rest of the year more exciting.
I know we've long since stopped thinking playoffs, but the team hasn't. They were somewhat pleased with the OTL against Buffalo and "getting that point", even if we know that it's a longshot at best. But teams in front do keep losing. They're 7 points behind Washington (who absolutely sucks right now) and Winnipeg (who they still have 2 games with and hold 2 games in hand against. Sweep the weekend and see Washington lose twice in regulation, and the Sports Club Stats percentage goes up to a 5.5% shot. Granted, they're looking at an 11-2-2 finish to even have a >50% shot, but they're going to fight for it. Even if JR was down after the Florida game, I have to think that was his motivation for keeping Spacek and Allen. After basically coming out and saying that re-signing talks weren't going well, there just isn't another explanation.
This team is something like 3-14 in games that go past 3 periods. (OT/SO) think were we'd be if we won even half of those. That's the biggest black eye imo
Guys, if Boston beats Washington and we win, we're 5 points out of a playoff spot.
The Isles play the Devils.
The Leafs play the Flyers.
The Sabres play the Sens.
All the teams we're competing with have really tough games tonight. If the chips fall our way tonight, we're right back in it. JFWP.
I'm not too up on my internet lingo, or maybe I just missed the creation of an acronym on the boards, but can you please explain to me what this means? I've seen it several times, and subsequently Googled it several times, and still haven't gotten an answer. Sorry for clearly being an idiot.
I am not a fan of the Lightning like many of you on here are and for that reason alone I would love to win tonight. I would thoroughly enjoy doing our part to keep them out of the playoffs.
I'm not terribly concerned about the Isles/Leafs. The Isles are currently tied in points, so if the Canes do go on a run, then the Isles will have to do better. I can't see them basically winning out. Same goes for Toronto, whom the Canes play in a few games anyway. I guess Buffalo matters, but I see them hovering around 9th/10th for the rest of the season. IMO, it's between Winnipeg and Washington (if Carolina doesn't go on a run) for that last spot, and neither team seems to want it, which might open the door a bit.
Ruutu could be a catalyst, but then they've been playing well lately without him. I think he's supposed to play tonight, but neither Samson nor Bowman has been sent back yet. Branecky hinted that one would if Ruutu was going to be in tonight.
I do agree with the abysmal OT record being a huge reason for their struggles. There's just no excuse to be this bad after 60. Curious to see how their record was through 67 last year and how that compares if we did assume a .500 OT record this year.
What they do have going against them though is having 10 of the last 15 on the road. I think that alone probably damages any real hope. Then again, they're used to having much of March at home and we all know how well that's worked out...
I am not a fan of the Lightning like many of you on here are and for that reason alone I would love to win tonight. I would thoroughly enjoy doing our part to keep them out of the playoffs.
For all the reasons stated above, and the way we lost to TB the last time, I want a win tonight really badly. As bad as I felt after that last game, I want to feel as good after tonight's. Let's go Canes!!
Someone Kerrigan the Holy one Stamkos and the Canes will win.
Assuming you're talking about Ryan, I LOL'd pretty hard when I recently found out that some one in the Washington Post nicknamed him the "King of Blades".
I love hilariously obscure & outdated 14 year old video game references
John Forslund @JohnForslund
Canes Live tonight from Tampa, Ruutu returns, Tripp talks Tokarski, Bob talks to Muller and Jokinen. I make sure we start on time, 630 pm
John Forslund @JohnForslund
Canes Live tonight from Tampa, Ruutu returns, Tripp talks Tokarski, Bob talks to Muller and Jokinen. I make sure we start on time, 630 pm
Really? You think Samson gets scratched over Joslin playing winger? Interesting. Of the guys we've got at our disposal right now, for me ideal lines would be:
Certainly won't happen, but that's at least how I'd put them together. Samson's impressed me enough to stay up. That passing play with Staal that led to the Tlusty goal gives me hope that he'll be a legit top 6 forward, and he really should be given more of a shot than a couple of shifts a game on the 4th line.
Did you see anywhere that he will actually be the one to be scratched?
I'd rather Samson be in too, but I was just going by who was playing with who in practice. Muller's usually been pretty good about keeping that consistent. He was also a healthy scratch not too long ago during the last game against Tampa.
Samson/Sutter together does seem intriguing. I'm just not a fan of Stewart on any sort of checking line though.
Someone will have to explain Tokarski to me. I guess I've been out of the loop and had no idea what John was referring to until I glanced back at this thread.
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