Watching the encore showing on MSG. I’m just so happy lol. And holy crap I didn’t realize the McLeod goal was shorthanded… from a Bratt trip- that would’ve never happened had the ref called the high stick on Bratt’s head. The ref was looking right at him when it happened.. but play on! Insane. And the Meier hit.. it’s a penalty. Point of contact is the head. Meier doesn’t duck down last second.. he’s in the same position skating in; and Trouba lines him up and nails his head with the shoulder. It’s a penalty lol.

Watching the encore showing on MSG. I’m just so happy lol. And holy crap I didn’t realize the McLeod goal was shorthanded… from a Bratt trip- that would’ve never happened had the ref called the high stick on Bratt’s head. The ref was looking right at him when it happened.. but play on! Insane. And the Meier hit.. it’s a penalty. Point of contact is the head. Meier doesn’t duck down last second.. he’s in the same position skating in; and Trouba lines him up and nails his head with the shoulder. It’s a penalty lol.
- MartysBetter88

Officiating in the first round for every series was absolute caca. I can only imagine it’s because everyone the past few years have ramped up the “refs put the whistles away” come playoff time. I can’t remember calls like this ever, and blown calls are just as bad. Watch the Stanley cup be won game 7 double ot on a poop call from an undeserved power play.

I’ve replayed the goals a few times already. I can’t believe we won 4 out of 5 against them. Lol amazing.

going to be an interesting series. Canes are an incredibly fast team also, so using our speed against them won't work as well as it did against the rags. I know we're good on the road, but really sucks we don't have home ice, by 1 damn point

going to be an interesting series. Canes are an incredibly fast team also, so using our speed against them won't work as well as it did against the rags. I know we're good on the road, but really sucks we don't have home ice, by 1 damn point
- Devils91

They Canes are pretty banged up and although they have a good defense, their goalie can be exposed (whichever one plays). I honestly think we take them in 6. I have probably seen 50 or so Canes games this season (living now in SC) so feel I have a good idea what they bring and I think we bring more with the current rosters as they are.

And you're still dead to me Bingo

They Canes are pretty banged up and although they have a good defense, their goalie can be exposed (whichever one plays). I honestly think we take them in 6. I have probably seen 50 or so Canes games this season (living now in SC) so feel I have a good idea what they bring and I think we bring more with the current rosters as they are.

And you're still dead to me Bingo
- Crushers68

The Devils are going to have to be sharper in their own end to keep the pressure of the Canes in check but if they can do it they've got the talent to finish off this series quickly.

If they let Carolina get to their game though it could be trouble.

The Devils are going to have to be sharper in their own end to keep the pressure of the Canes in check but if they can do it they've got the talent to finish off this series quickly.

If they let Carolina get to their game though it could be trouble.
- BINGO!

Carolina in 4

Nico is a finalist for the Selke and Jack is a finalist for the Lady Byng.

Kinda weird having just 1 day off between series. I know Carolina has been waiting, but still. One of the nba series played Monday and game 2 or 3 is Friday lol.

Kinda weird having just 1 day off between series. I know Carolina has been waiting, but still. One of the nba series played Monday and game 2 or 3 is Friday lol.
- MartysBetter88

We got screwed because they gave us the extra day of rest so they could put a New York team in more prime time slots.

Carolina in 4
- shvingter88

Carolina in 3

The goals are all so different from each other and so so perfect and beautiful.

The first was a shorty.. from a penalty on Bratt.. right after a stick smacks him in the head on a faceoff and the ref stares at them but doesn’t call it lol.
Palat on the ensuing PK just out-working the rangers.. and McLeod.. MCLEOD.. 4th line nobody.. 11th overall relative bust.. brings it back to junior hockey and brings the puck all the way across instead of just trying to tap in the pass. But Palat went beast mode like I’ve never seen from him lol. Reminded me of beast-mode Zubrus lol.

Then the 2nd goal. The cross ice pass to MARINO .. then he carries the puck all through their zone.. dekes to avoid the defender, crosses mid ice!.. gets a puck on net.. rebound bounces off the boards and he has the presence of mind to backhand center it.. and there’s Tatar. And Tatar’s celebration is just the best. Watch that 2nd goal again and look at him crouch and war-cry his guts out. So freaking satisfying.

And the 3rd goal! 😭. Rags pressing. Idiot Trouba pinching… working with the devils player.. and Hughes… swwwwoops in and just takes the puck from both of them! He’s flying up the ice.. whos with him? Haula. Guy who didn’t do much all season, failed on so many scoring chances. But here he goes .. flying down with Hughes on the 2 on 1. Perfect pass from Jack.. and Haula feeling the rhythm in the streets has the poise to NOT botch this one! Boom back of the net for a massive 3-0 lead.

And then the empty-netter… Bratt hits the NOS button and simply skates faster than the other guy.. then skates faster than him again to get the rebound and bury it. It’s just so satisfying.

4 totally different forms of execution and outworking them.

No funny bounce or whatever being the primary reason like we see all the time. Palat and McLeod going super saiyan, Marino being a beast and Tatar not making a mistake, and Jack just doing it himself and then the perfect dish for the perfect Haula finish top cheese. What else do you want? A shutout? Absolutely.

I can’t get over the Palat play. Where was this all year? I still think it’s crazy giving him 6mil for 5yrs at that age.. but this might’ve made it worth it.

I can’t get over the Palat play. Where was this all year? I still think it’s crazy giving him 6mil for 5yrs at that age.. but this might’ve made it worth it.
- MartysBetter88

He's been playing injured all season, just like Dougie last year. Give him an entire offseason to recover and come back 100% then make your decision about him.

Kinda weird having just 1 day off between series. I know Carolina has been waiting, but still. One of the nba series played Monday and game 2 or 3 is Friday lol.
- MartysBetter88

Think it's the only series where they don't have more than a 1 day break between games

Hey everyone: Since Sam Woo has abandoned us, so come check out the Hurricane's blog. Ben Shelley writes for Carolina (and several other teams) and does a real good job. So just suggesting that as an option since we are never getting a new blog here.

Plus we'll save Bingo some travel miles so he doesn't have to come here!


I think this could be a great series based on the how the head to head games looked; but three things have dented my enthusiasm. One, our horrific playoff history with the Hurricanes. Two, I'm not happy the Hurricane's have some injury issues. While that's probably looked at as a break for us, it makes things less predictable. Third, and probably most importantly; Beating the BlueSkirts is such a big deal I hope the Devils can mental move on quickly and refocus. Carolina has been waiting for us and probably didn't care much about who they played...

Hey everyone: Since Sam Woo has abandoned us, so come check out the Hurricane's blog. Ben Shelley writes for Carolina (and several other teams) and does a real good job. So just suggesting that as an option since we are never getting a new blog here.

Plus we'll save Bingo some travel miles so he doesn't have to come here!


I think this could be a great series based on the how the head to head games looked; but three things have dented my enthusiasm. One, our horrific playoff history with the Hurricanes. Two, I'm not happy the Hurricane's have some injury issues. While that's probably looked at as a break for us, it makes things less predictable. Third, and probably most importantly; Beating the BlueSkirts is such a big deal I hope the Devils can mental move on quickly and refocus. Carolina has been waiting for us and probably didn't care much about who they played...
- Queenie_5_hole

I think the devils are still trying to overtake the canes in the standings.

I think the devils are still trying to overtake the canes in the standings.
- shvingter88

I still check tankathon. Force of habit.

I still check tankathon. Force of habit.
- RubberBiscuitz

Oh man I miss doing that

We never seem to match up well with Carolina, should be a dog fight.
Any word on Timo's status?

We never seem to match up well with Carolina, should be a dog fight.
Any word on Timo's status?
- FAZOOL

Hasn't been an update other than he traveled with the team. Morning skate should give us an idea of if he's in or not tonight.

Luckily Carolina doesn't have elite goaltending like the Rangers so our scorers should have a better chance of finishing their chances. Big issue is that the Canes are one of the best 5v5 teams out there and won't just concede the game from the start like the Rangers.

I still check tankathon. Force of habit.
- RubberBiscuitz

There has to be some loophole so we can still win Bedard.

Hasn't been an update other than he traveled with the team. Morning skate should give us an idea of if he's in or not tonight.
- vlongo4419

Timo is on the ice for morning skate.

Timo is on the ice for morning skate.
- vlongo4419

this guy is tough as nails. Looks like he's got the full cage/jaw protector thing going on so wonder if he'll actually play tonight but still.

this guy is tough as nails. Looks like he's got the full cage/jaw protector thing going on so wonder if he'll actually play tonight but still.
- Pomegrant

He's taking line rushes, so seems like he'll be good to go