Good possession team with terrible goaltending meets below average possession team with excellent goaltending. Someone will win, but PDO will almost definitely lose.
The Numbers
[table id=TS02G33 /] [table id=IS02G33 /] [table id=GM02G33 /]* – Stats are courtesy of War-on-Ice.com, Puckalytics.com and Hockey-Reference.com
Projected Lineups
[table id=PF02G32 /] [table id=PD02G32 /] [table id=PG02G33 /] [table id=OF02G33 /] [table id=OD02G33 /] [table id=OG02G33 /]The Rundown
When last we met for the second half a back-to-back, I pointed out that under Gallant, Florida had gone 5-5-3 in the second half of back-to-backs. That’s up to 6-5-3 headed into tonight and, more good news, Luongo’s in net tonight.
Bad news: Jeff Skinner’s stick may literally be on fire at this point, I’m not sure on that one. Carolina’s won four of the last six and they’re well-rested. Florida needs to have it together.
The Panthers did crush the Hurricanes 4-1 all the way back in October (also on the second half of a back to back) and that was a pretty cool time. Connor Brickley had the game-winner, his second first NHL goal. (His actual first NHL goal was called back because of some foolishness with whistles and none of us at this here Connor Brickley Appreciation Blog are at all bitter.)
Still, this game is a hard one to call. If Carolina controls the game, Florida might not be able to take advantage of the differences in their goaltending. If Florida can stay with Carolina in shots, Roberto Luongo should be able to do the rest.
Closing Thoughts
Who else is excited to see our old friend Kris Versteeg again? Cool, who else is still mad that the story about Huberdeau annoying him into breaking his XBox controller is no longer on the internet? Yep, that’s everyone, thought so. You guys are the best.
And remember, we’re raising money for RAINN through #CatsForACause to combat sexual violence all season long. Please take a look at the wonderful things RAINN does and give what you can! Just $10 is a huge help to their work.
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