Despite their regular-season dominance, the Carolina Hurricanes are facing familiar playoff doubts. Can they overcome goaltending woes and offensive droughts and make a long Stanley Cup run?
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Which of them has the most to prove in this year’s playoffs, Michael?
Which of them has the most to prove in this year’s playoffs, Michael?
sorry, was Minnesota one of those teams?
sorry, was Minnesota one of those teams?
Yes.
Yes.
Yep.
Yep.
Okay, definitely the Minnesota Wild.
Okay, definitely the Minnesota Wild.
And I think, you know, they went big with Kirill Kaprizov’s contract.
And I think, you know, they went big with Kirill Kaprizov’s contract.
Sure did.
Sure did.
They went even bigger in acquiring Quinn Hughes, and I think that’s a team that, you know, Ryan alluded to earlier with the goaltending.
They went even bigger in acquiring Quinn Hughes, and I think that’s a team that, you know, Ryan alluded to earlier with the goaltending.
I don’t see any weak spots in Minnesota’s roster.
I don’t see any weak spots in Minnesota’s roster.
Now, the only weak spot is you play in the Central Division, and we, we know, we’ve talked to death about how tough it is in the Central.
Now, the only weak spot is you play in the Central Division, and we, we know, we’ve talked to death about how tough it is in the Central.
But, you know, I don’t see any reason why Minnesota can’t emerge.
But, you know, I don’t see any reason why Minnesota can’t emerge.
You know, if we’re talking about why Colorado can emerge or why Dallas can emerge, you know, the same thing applies to Minnesota.
You know, if we’re talking about why Colorado can emerge or why Dallas can emerge, you know, the same thing applies to Minnesota.
I think whether you finish one, two, and three in the standings, the expectations are the same.
I think whether you finish one, two, and three in the standings, the expectations are the same.
If you want to prove to Quinn Hughes that, you know, he needs to stay long-term in Minnesota and potentially recruit his brothers there instead of them going to New Jersey- you know, going deep in the playoffs this year is gonna go a long way.
If you want to prove to Quinn Hughes that, you know, he needs to stay long-term in Minnesota and potentially recruit his brothers there instead of them going to New Jersey- you know, going deep in the playoffs this year is gonna go a long way.
So for me, that’s why you need to go deep.
So for me, that’s why you need to go deep.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Minnesota’s a good- It’s a, it’s an obvious answer.
Minnesota’s a good- It’s a, it’s an obvious answer.
Ryan, is there another team that jumps out to you?
Ryan, is there another team that jumps out to you?
Yeah, the Carolina Hurricanes.
Yeah, the Carolina Hurricanes.
Uh- Gotta get past that hump.
Uh- Gotta get past that hump.
Go.
Go.
Gotta get over that hump, yeah.
Gotta get over that hump, yeah.
Rod Brind’Amour has, had some tremendous teams, during his tenure in Carolina, but they have not made it to the Stanley Cup Final.
Rod Brind’Amour has, had some tremendous teams, during his tenure in Carolina, but they have not made it to the Stanley Cup Final.
And- in the East, it’s funny, it’s like I know that the East is stronger than the West this year, but I also feel that there are fewer, like, real contenders in the East.
And- in the East, it’s funny, it’s like I know that the East is stronger than the West this year, but I also feel that there are fewer, like, real contenders in the East.
Like, we talked about the Central- Yeah and the West.
Like, we talked about the Central- Yeah and the West.
Like, all three of those teams could easily win the Stanley Cup.
Like, all three of those teams could easily win the Stanley Cup.
Like, Edmonton could win the Stanley Cup.
Like, Edmonton could win the Stanley Cup.
If Vegas gets goaltending, they could win the Stanley Cup.
If Vegas gets goaltending, they could win the Stanley Cup.
Yeah.
Yeah.
But in the East, it really feels, it’s like Tampa Bay, Carolina, and then a bunch of teams that it’ll be interesting to see what they do.
But in the East, it really feels, it’s like Tampa Bay, Carolina, and then a bunch of teams that it’ll be interesting to see what they do.
Buffalo, Montreal- Right and what have you.
Buffalo, Montreal- Right and what have you.
That’s true.
That’s true.
but it’s like the path is there, Carolina.
but it’s like the path is there, Carolina.
Like, you gotta do it, you know?
Like, you gotta do it, you know?
Um- Yeah and, and so- some of the guys have to step up in the playoffs.
Um- Yeah and, and so- some of the guys have to step up in the playoffs.
Like Ondrej Svechnikov, like he needs to score goals when it matters.
Like Ondrej Svechnikov, like he needs to score goals when it matters.
I mean, the whole team- Yeah needs to score when it matters, and that means not just in the first round.
I mean, the whole team- Yeah needs to score when it matters, and that means not just in the first round.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And that’s what they need to prove.
And that’s what they need to prove.
And if they, if they can do that, and, and as long as Brandon Bussey is, is still excellent in net- Yes which is an X factor because- Yeah he’s never played in the NHL playoffs.
And if they, if they can do that, and, and as long as Brandon Bussey is, is still excellent in net- Yes which is an X factor because- Yeah he’s never played in the NHL playoffs.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
they should have a chance to, go to the final.
they should have a chance to, go to the final.
It won’t be easy, but this is probably the best path they’ve had.
It won’t be easy, but this is probably the best path they’ve had.