Hurricanes are too much for Flyers
Who knew it was possible for a team to complete a sweep in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and then look even better in the second round? The Carolina Hurricanes quickly dispatched of the Ottawa Senators in four games in the first round, but at least there were multiple close contests, including Game 2 going to double overtime, with Carolina outscoring Ottawa 11-5 for the series.
Following Thursday’s 4-1 Game 3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round, the Hurricanes are outscoring the Flyers 10-3 in the series and sit just one win away from yet another sweep. We can talk ad nauseam about this year’s relatively weak Metropolitan Division giving Carolina an easier-than-normal path to the Conference Final, but it’s hard not to be impressed with head coach Rod Brind’Amour’s team, which has dominated in all facets this postseason.
On Friday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, hosts Tyler Yaremchuk and Steve Peters discussed the ways in which Carolina has overwhelmed Philadelphia so far.
Tyler Yaremchuk: Last night, it was Carolina just continuing to do what Carolina does, Petey. They roll four lines, they smother you, they don’t give up a lot of quality chances. When they do give up quality chances, they either have Freddie Andersen making big stops, or Jaccob Slavin pulling pucks off the goal line. They just look unstoppable.
Steve Peters: This is Carolina Hurricane hockey at its best. They’re like a cat toying with a mouse, that’s kind of what they’ve done to Philadelphia in this series. In Game 1, it was clear that Philadelphia couldn’t move, and I think they were a little stunned and they were on their heels. Games 2 and 3, I think Philadelphia’s been better, but the problem is Philadelphia can’t finish. It’s off the post, it’s the Slavin play, the power play has been atrocious, so they’re unable to add offense.
But really, it’s Carolina toying with them. Carolina does not allow you to compete at the same level as they do. They don’t give you any room, they don’t give you any space. Philly wants to play physical, well guess what, Carolina can play physical, too. For a hockey fan, sometimes, Carolina hockey can be difficult to watch. Sorry Hurricanes fans, I’m just getting it out there. It’s not the Colorado-Minnesota series where you’re seeing end-to-end action. But that’s how Carolina wins. They play like Rod Brind’Amour played, and it’s just absolutely smothering.
You can catch the full discussion and the rest of Friday’s episode here…