Ben Shelley: Hurricanes will face Bruins in first round

Canes in 5. Based off the tempo of play in the qualifying rounds vs almost lacksadasical round robin play; Edge CAR. Bruins just riding the coattails of stars past, plus Canes want revenge.

Canes look good to send the Bruins golfing.

I am not crazy about the matchup but I would rather get them early in a playoff series than in a later round. Boston seems a little out of sync right now. I wouldn't want to play them later after they found their groove.

Canes look good to send the Bruins golfing.
- Nighthawk

Still bitter over 2011 I see. Seriously - how many years will it take?

Canes in 5. Based off the tempo of play in the qualifying rounds vs almost lacksadasical round robin play; Edge CAR. Bruins just riding the coattails of stars past, plus Canes want revenge.
- Borvat53

What? Who are the stars past? Chara is real old, but all their other stars are still stars.

Bruins have an massive advantage in this series. Maybe it goes five or six if the Bruins need a game to get back up to speed.

The Bruins are better at scoring goals, they're better at preventing goals, and they have a way better goalie.

Go Canes!

What? Who are the stars past? Chara is real old, but all their other stars are still stars.

Bruins have an massive advantage in this series. Maybe it goes five or six if the Bruins need a game to get back up to speed.

The Bruins are better at scoring goals, they're better at preventing goals, and they have a way better goalie.
- Hunkulese

But apparently 3 exhibition games means they suk.

What? Who are the stars past? Chara is real old, but all their other stars are still stars.

Bruins have an massive advantage in this series. Maybe it goes five or six if the Bruins need a game to get back up to speed.

The Bruins are better at scoring goals, they're better at preventing goals, and they have a way better goalie.
- Hunkulese

The Canes were my preseason pick to win the division this year. It obviously didn't happen, but I think they're a scary team. The Bruins have more star power for sure, and the Canes goaltending is still a question mark to me until proven otherwise.

But if either team thinks the other will be an easy out, they're in for a rude awakening. I think the Canes are more a "sum of the parts" whereas the Bruins have more star power. Not saying the Bruins play an individualistic game, I just see the Canes as being a very hard working team that can forecheck you to death. If they goaltending holds up, they're a contender. I think this will be the best series of the round.

The Canes were my preseason pick to win the division this year. It obviously didn't happen, but I think they're a scary team. The Bruins have more star power for sure, and the Canes goaltending is still a question mark to me until proven otherwise.

But if either team thinks the other will be an easy out, they're in for a rude awakening. I think the Canes are more a "sum of the parts" whereas the Bruins have more star power. Not saying the Bruins play an individualistic game, I just see the Canes as being a very hard working team that can forecheck you to death. If they goaltending holds up, they're a contender. I think this will be the best series of the round.
- jmatchett383

Agreed.

But it's funny seeing the Canuck trolls in every thread discussing Bruins - predicting a collapse. They still haven't recovered from 2011. Maybe they should seek professional help?

Agreed.

But it's funny seeing the Canuck trolls in every thread discussing Bruins - predicting a collapse. They still haven't recovered from 2011. Maybe they should seek professional help?
- Nasty_Duck

Maybe they're running out of cars to set on fire.

The Canes were my preseason pick to win the division this year. It obviously didn't happen, but I think they're a scary team. The Bruins have more star power for sure, and the Canes goaltending is still a question mark to me until proven otherwise.

But if either team thinks the other will be an easy out, they're in for a rude awakening. I think the Canes are more a "sum of the parts" whereas the Bruins have more star power. Not saying the Bruins play an individualistic game, I just see the Canes as being a very hard working team that can forecheck you to death. If they goaltending holds up, they're a contender. I think this will be the best series of the round.
- jmatchett383

I'm curious what the plan will be for matchups.


Against the rangers, the canes used the Aho line vs. Panarin, because that line couldn't defend, and then used Staal to shut down Zibenajad.

I suspect they'll likely want to use Staal vs. the Perfection line and Aho vs Krejci.


Boston has a clear edge in net, but working in the Canes' favour will be some favourable match-ups for the Trocheck line. If they can get going, Trocheck/Necas could be what tips the scales for the Canes.

Maybe they're running out of cars to set on fire.
- jmatchett383

Trocheck line and 4th line will need to show up offensively if we want to have a chance. Staying of the box will help.

Boston's 3 game poop show in the qualifiers doesnt make me feel any better about the series. They are a very good team and will require a total team effort to beat them.

Glad this team is deeper and more healthy than last year's team. I think we match up better but lack consistent secondary scoring. I think it will be Canes in 7 or Boston in 6.

Trocheck line and 4th line will need to show up offensively if we want to have a chance. Staying of the box will help.

Boston's 3 game poop show in the qualifiers doesnt make me feel any better about the series. They are a very good team and will require a total team effort to beat them.

Glad this team is deeper and more healthy than last year's team. I think we match up better but lack consistent secondary scoring. I think it will be Canes in 7 or Boston in 6.
- gocanes0506

Picking the road team to close it out, I see.