Why The Canes Will Win Game 7 — And Why They Won’t
by Cory Lavalette on Apr 28, 2009 2:45 PM EDT
in Hurricanes Game Related
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PrintNothing tops a Game 7 in an NHL playoff series, and when you pit two teams with a postseason history in one of those games, you know you're in for a fun night. And so it will be tonight, as the Hurricanes prepare to face the Devils in Newark for the finale of this back-and-forth series.
The Canes arguably have momentum, having dominated New Jersey in their 4-0 Game 6 win at the RBC Center Sunday. But the Devils will get to use the home-ice advantage they earned with their regular season performance tonight, and any team would rather be at their building for a Game 7 than on the road.
So who wins? We're going to look at reasons why both could win tonight's game.
Why New Jersey Will Win
- This has been a see-saw matchup, with no team winning back-to-back games. The Devils, having lost Game 6, will have the home-ice edge for Game 7.
- With that home-ice advantage comes the final line change, which should free up Zach Parise and his linemates from the clutches of Tim Gleason and Joe Corvo, who have neutralized the Devils' top line.
- If you needed one goalie to take in a Game 7, most are going to look to Brodeur, the NHL's all time wins leader.
- Experience, experience, experience. New Jersey's graybeards have been mostly quiet this series, but having players like Brendan Shanahan, Brian Rolston and John Madden — who has looked like he's been transported back to his prime thus far — is always a threat in a clutch game.
- Patrick Elias has been around forever but is still just 33. One big bullet point he has on his resume? Two Game 7 game-winning goals.
- Brian Gionta has given New Jersey some much-needed secondary scoring, and the elusive winger has proven he can score at any time.
- Jamie Langenbrunner returned for Game 6 and but Bryce Salvador may be back is out for the series' rubber match. Langenbrunner should have his legs back under him, and he injects skill and veteran know-how into the N.J. lineup.
- The Hurricanes have never won a Game 7 on the road, but is 2-3 all time. New Jersey is 5-4 all time, but hasn't played in one since winning the Stanley Cup against Anaheim in 2003. Carolina has won their last two, both in 2006: against Buffalo in the Eastern Conference finals and vs. Edmonton in the deciding game of the Stanley Cup finals.
- The two teams may have split Games 5 and 6, but Carolina has been stellar in both games. Cam Ward has stopped 70 of 71 shots in the past two matchups and, outside of Brodeur's Game 5 effort, has been the better goalie this series.
- Paul Maurice shuffled his lines and has to like the results, with Eric Staal and Ray Whitney looking like they played together all season long.
- With Sergei Samsonov's return from injury, Carolina has been able to play all four forward lines. It could play a factor in what has been a long series, especially if Game 7 goes into extra time.
- Parise has gone silent. His determination and skill got the best of Carolina early in the series, but the Canes have found a way to slow him and down, and his decreased output has crippled the Devils' offense. Staal, on the other hand, is wearing down the Devils with his mix of size and skill.
- Whitney is one of 30 NHL players all time to notch a Game 7 OT winner.
- The Devils have their share of experienced players, but let's not forget Carolina's veterans. Rod Brind'Amour, Scott Walker and Whitney are closer to 40 than 30, while Nic Wallin and Erik Cole have both played in two Stanley Cup finals.
- The Devils may have home ice, but don't expect them to get anywhere near the kind of backing the Hurricanes get at the RBC Center. An early Carolina lead would likely silence the Prudential Center crowd.
- This might be Brodeur's ninth career Game 7, but Ward is 2-0 heading into his third.
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I feel sick.
Drop the puck already…
by Andrea's evil twin on Apr 28, 2009 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions
If Staal scores, we win
I was talking about this with a friend last night, and I looked up Staal’s game log for this past season. When he scored at least twice, we won outright 6 / 8 times, won in OT 1 / 8 times, and lost in the shoot out 1 / 8 times. When Staal scored only one goal, we won outright 13 / 19 times, won in OT 2 / 19, lost in the shoot out 1 / 19 times, and lost outright 3 / 19 times.
What that means is that when Eric Staal scored at least one goal this season, we won 88% of our games not decided in a shoot-out. I like those odds. Staal’s play in Game 6 (combined with a stellar game by Ward) was the reason for such a decisive win. I just hope his line plays as well tonight as they did Sunday, especially since they’ll probably be facing Madden all night long. Here’s to some more of Whitney’s magical passes!
Don’t forget to to pull for the rangers, too. While we hope our guys win, a win by the rangers means we play shitsburg and sydney crybaby rather than Boston. Whoever plays Boston next will get beat up and tired out, win or lose, I’d rather meet up with Boston after a round with PA. sissy camp. I also think we match up against them better. If we win and the craps pull it out, we get boston and our season ends. Sorry about the doom and gloom, but it’s gonna be Boston and the Wings, with the Wings winning it, been saying that since November. This would also be the trifecta of Staals. If the Rangers win we get one little brother in PA. next and if the rangers were to beat the Bruins, we’d get the other, that would be cool and probably the only time three brothers have met in the SCPO’s.
Go ’Canes!!!!!!!
See ya online in a bit!!
A
This has been the longest day...EVER!!!
LET"S GO CANES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 60 minutes and counting…
Un-Be-Leeeeeeeeeeevable. what a great game. Hat’s off to the devils but you can’t do ANYTHING against this storm!!!!!!!!!!
by Davefromthebeach on Apr 28, 2009 11:01 PM EDT reply actions
Tim Thomas isn’t Broduer, He isn’t even Cam Ward. I think if the Canes D plays like they did against jersey & we can get the match ups we want, Canes in 6. (you heard it here first)
by Davefromthebeach on Apr 28, 2009 11:02 PM EDT reply actions
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