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ECF: Montreal Canadiens vs. Carolina Hurricanes

CarltonTheBear

CarltonTheBear

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https://twitter.com/x/status/2056569941877243926

Game 1: Montreal at Carolina -- 8 p.m. ET, Thursday, May 21 (TNT, HBO Max, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Game 2: Montreal at Carolina -- 7 p.m. ET, Saturday, May 23 (TNT, HBO Max, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Game 3: Carolina at Montreal -- 8 p.m. ET, Monday, May 25 (TNT, HBO Max, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Game 4: Carolina at Montreal -- 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, May 27 (TNT, HBO Max, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS)
* Game 5: Montreal at Carolina -- 8 p.m. ET, Friday, May 29 (TNT, HBO Max, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS)
* Game 6: Carolina at Montreal -- TBD, Sunday, May 31 (TNT, HBO Max, truTV, SN, TVAS)
* Game 7: Montreal at Carolina -- 8 p.m. ET, Tuesday, June 2 (TNT, HBO Max, truTV, SN, TVAS)
* - If necessary
 
Just watched the highlights this morning. Canes super aggressiveness led to a lot of really good opportunities for the Habs. At first I thought "Freddie gonna Freddie" but how many of those goals were 2 on 1s, wide open shots in the slot, or breakaways? You might want him to make some of those saves but the number of great chances for Montreal was a little too overwhelming, I think.

I think Carolina regroups and makes a lot fewer defensive mistakes in Game 2.
 
A bit tighter game last night. Habs with a lot of sloppy play in overtime. Several chances to get the puck deep that failed and led to counterattacks, including the winner.

I wondered about that hit by Taylor Hall on Hutson along the boards in OT where Hall hit Hutson's leg. Probably incidental but i wonder if that had been open ice whether it would have been a penalty. Took Hutson out for a good 30 seconds.
 
Montreal's 3rd game where they generate very few shots this playoffs. Winning against Tampa despite being horribly outplayed. Winning against Buffalo despite being outplayed for most of the game.

Less than heroic goaltending in those games and the narrative on their playoff run is quite different. At the same time they seem like a team that is capable of repeating this kind if run
 
Andersen's save % is quite unimpressive yet somehow they talk about him as if he's a potential conn Smythe candidate?
 
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Joe S. said:
Andersen's save % is quite unimpressive yet somehow they talk about him as if he's a potential conn Smythe candidate?
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In their first series, .955 save% 1.10 GAA against the Sens in 4 game sweep, 2 first stars, one second star (on NHL.com)
In their second series, .945 save% 1.14 GAA against Philly in 4 game sweep, no stars of the game
Those two series are pretty darn good.
In the third series, .804 save% 2.77 GAA against the Habs, 2W 1L, no stars of the game
In the third series, ignoring the first bad game, .840 save% 1.75 GAA against the Habs, 2W, no stars of the game

A lot of NHL goalies have done worse. Montreal is bringing him back to earth.

Between the two, I think Carter Hart's .942 save% 2.00 GAA, one 1st and one 2nd star, against the Avs has been more impressive though I do not feel he is stealing the series/standing on his head. He's largely been very steady behind a good team defense stopping what he should with the odd very good/great save.

I'm not the best judge as I haven't watched the Canes as much as I have Vegas.
 
Joe S. said:
Andersen's save % is quite unimpressive yet somehow they talk about him as if he's a potential conn Smythe candidate?
Click to expand...
He's leading the playoffs among goalies who played more than one round in Sv% at .923. Not doing the best against the Habs, but overall, he's been excellent. Also, Carolina doesn't really have any standout performances that have lasted more than one round, really. When that happens, voters tend to default to the goalie - especially when it's not like anyone else is having a particularly dominant playoffs that would be enough to overcome not winning the Cup. If the Canes win, unless someone steps up big time from here, there isn't really anyone else to give it to that wouldn't also be a weak case.
 
bustaheims said:
He's leading the playoffs among goalies who played more than one round in Sv% at .923. Not doing the best against the Habs, but overall, he's been excellent. Also, Carolina doesn't really have any standout performances that have lasted more than one round, really. When that happens, voters tend to default to the goalie - especially when it's not like anyone else is having a particularly dominant playoffs that would be enough to overcome not winning the Cup. If the Canes win, unless someone steps up big time from here, there isn't really anyone else to give it to that wouldn't also be a weak case.
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Carter Hart who has played 2+ rounds is tied with him in Sv% at .923 and faced nearly double the shots playing four more games. Anderson's GAA is 1.56 vs Hart's 2.30 so he's got the edge there.
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NHL Stats

The official source for NHL Stats including skaters, goalies, teams stats and more.
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Depending on how the series go, there might be a case made for Canes Taylor Hall 1.18 ppg (4th among those still alive in the playoffs). He's played the fewest games but is currently behind Marner, MacKinnon & Eichel in ppg.
 
25 minutes and 12 seconds between their last shot of regulation and their only shot of overtime. A called back goal and post neither which counted as a shot.
 
I haven't seen much of this series as far as watching the games. How is Carolina as a defensive team? Are their strengths helping Freddie's stats? All he has to do is not give up a bad goal late in the game in limited chances.

Unbelievable that Montreal had 3 shots in the 3rd period and 14 mins of OT combined.
 
bustaheims said:
He's leading the playoffs among goalies who played more than one round in Sv% at .923. Not doing the best against the Habs, but overall, he's been excellent. Also, Carolina doesn't really have any standout performances that have lasted more than one round, really. When that happens, voters tend to default to the goalie - especially when it's not like anyone else is having a particularly dominant playoffs that would be enough to overcome not winning the Cup. If the Canes win, unless someone steps up big time from here, there isn't really anyone else to give it to that wouldn't also be a weak case.
Click to expand...
Honestly I was expecting this kind of analysis- and I can't disagree with any of it... But then I see 2 goals on 12 shots in the last 2 games, 5 goals on 21 shots. 2 goals on 17 shots... I dunno just seems unimpressive.

Has he had a bunch of great games in the first 2 rounds? Yes absolutely. Anyway whatever - I just can't stand Carolina almost as much as I hate Vegas as a franchise.
 
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Derk said:
I haven't seen much of this series as far as watching the games. How is Carolina as a defensive team? Are their strengths helping Freddie's stats? All he has to do is not give up a bad goal late in the game in limited chances.

Unbelievable that Montreal had 3 shots in the 3rd period and 14 mins of OT combined.
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Vegas held Colorado without a shot on goal for about 14 mins in the 3rd ...
Sometimes, these team D's seem to be getting pretty good.
 
Joe S. said:
Honestly I was expecting this kind of analysis- and I can't disagree with any of it... But then I see 2 goals on 12 shots in the last 2 games, 5 goals on 21 shots. 2 goals on 17 shots... I dunno just seems unimpressive.

Has he had a bunch of great games in the first 2 rounds? Yes absolutely. Anyway whatever - I just can't stand Carolina almost as much as I hate Vegas as a franchise.
Click to expand...
If the canes knock out Ottawa, Philly, and Montreal in one year, they’re all good with me.
 
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