We know the opponent, know the seedings and know the playoff schedule. It's the Canes and Devils, again, and it starts Wednesday in Newark.
So let's keep it short and simple today:
What do you like the most about the Canes heading into the playoffs and what worries you the most? Can they make a deep run, even grab the Cup again, or could it be one and done?
The floor is open.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
This will be a classic,
Tue, 04/14/2009 - 11:16 — mokimanoThis will be a classic, tight defensive battle between two teams who will not give each other much room at all. It comes down to goaltending and special teams...if we get to Brodeur and crash the crease a bit and get him off his game it will be a Canes dream come true. I just hope the officials do not fall for the Marty Brodeur flopping and whining world tour that he sometimes displays. Canes have better depth than the Devils, if we get the goaltending from Cam Ward and can steal one game in their barn than the series should see the Canes win in 6 games.
Two Bs
Tue, 04/14/2009 - 07:12 — NetMinderBrodeur — We may seem to have had #30's number in past postseason encounters, but we've never faced a rested Marty Brodeur. When he's hot, he's impenetrable. Should that lead to stick squeezing by the Canes, we could be in trouble. Conversely, the way to beat Brodeur is to crash the net, limit his vision and pick up those dirty goals — a perfect lead-in to the other "B."
Babchuk — If the Canes crowd the net and are all over Brodeur, things open up for Babchuk (Corvo, too). Whether it's playing defense or setting a screen, it takes some serious stones to stand in front of Babchuk's blasts from the point. As Saturday's game demonstrated, two things happen when that monster shot gets to Brodeur — it goes in or he coughs up a juicy rebound.
A productive Babchuk and a bothered Brodeur could be the keys to 4-2 series win for the Canes.
THE MORE I THINK ABOUT IT
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 21:21 — cathie45THE MORE I THINK ABOUT IT THE MORE I AM GLAD WE DREW THE DEVILS. ONCE YOU SCORE ON BRODEUR HE GETS FLUSTERED. I DON'T THINK IT WILL BE A HIGH SCORING GAME. CAM IS USUALLY SO GOOD AGAINST BRODEUR. CANES IN 5 OR 6. GO CANES!!!!!
Likes: Cam Ward's on top of
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 14:09 — caneshockeyfanLikes: Cam Ward's on top of his game. The team's overall confidence. The power play has been at its best. Team defense has been superb.
Worries: We haven't seen NJ's best. (They earned the right to coast at the end of the season. They are probably a better team than what they've shown the Canes so far.) Officials revert to 2002-style officiating, which benefits NJ.
Prediction: Canes in 6.
Devils a good matchup
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 11:54 — HockeydogI like that the Canes will not play the Flyers in the first round.
The Devils will not be an easy opponent but the Canes have had success against them in both the regular and post season. Even though the Canes are much better than when they played their season series against the Flyers, the Flyers do present a more physical opponent.
The good news about the 2 game slide to end the season is that maybe the team will feel more like the underdog they are and play simple hockey- which 9 times out of 10 means they can beat anyone.
further more
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 09:55 — louis12580If #8 can come back it will be a boost to the overall balance of the team. The power play did suffer a bit in his absence as the team had to play two d-men on each unit as opposed to Matt on one and then the two d-men on the other. Matt also helps out on the penalty kill. Moving Jokinen back to the "4th. line" helps the overall balance.
Likes and Dislikes
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 09:54 — ptuckerAs much respect as I have for Marty Brodeur, I LIKE Cam Ward in this series.
I LIKE the fact that our defense corps has scored almost twice as many points as the Devils' defense
I LIKE that we have more balanced scoring than NJ
I'm WORRIED that old, bad habits might creep in
I'm WORRIED that Brodeur eats a bowl of super Wheaties
I'm WORRIED that one of the top-six gets injured
I THINK that the Canes will win in 6 at the Big ATM!
Thoughts from So. Cal.
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 09:05 — gf101112What worries me the most is how well the games will be called by the refs on the ice. Hopefully it won't be an issue.
What I like most is the solid, TEAM style of play the Canes have shown lately. (Remember, one person who wasn't there in 06...Paul Maurice!!!). Also happy that John & Tripp will be doing the broadcasting... at least for the first 2 rounds!!! They are the BEST!!! Maybe John will get more Versus gigs as the Canes move on! GO CANIACS...GO CANES!!!
Like/Worries
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 08:53 — fvanaschI like the way the D has been very responsible and not let many pucks get behind them.
I like our speed and transition play.
I like the Storm Squad.
I like our chances against NJ, but it won't be easy.
I'm worried about Cullen. Hopefully, he can jump right back in. He's missed a couple of real good playoff-type hockey games. Fingers crossed.
I'm worried about the guys staying healthy and not seeing our full potential for as long as we play.
I'm worried that it might rain on tailgating on Sunday!
Injuries
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 09:02 — procellaeIf there was an injury to one of the guys, the good thing is that we have good offensive and defensive depth. We have Ryan and Bayda healthy and ready to play. Eaves, if needed, can move up. On defense, Kaberle is ready to play (while I still don't really consider him a "defensemen," in the Islanders game he looked pretty good) and Conboy can play D if needed.
Of all the previous seasons
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 08:50 — RaisinCaneInNCOf all the previous seasons there is more parity in the league then ever before this season... It took an incredible winning streak for the 'Canes to even make the playoffs and only a couple of points seperated the playoff contenders down the stretch...Boston has been the most consistent team in the conference BUT after that I believe any Eastern Conference team has a chance to make a deep push in the playoffs. Pittsburg and Carolina were undeniably the hottest teams down the stretch however and I don't think any team really wants to face either of them in the first round! In the Devils/Canes series it is going to come down to the goaltending and how well the each teams' defense "clean up" rebounds. I like the 'Canes chances but it is going to be a tough series. Go 'Canes
Just a fact
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 08:26 — procellaeHere's a statistic to think about. When the Hurricanes beat the Devils in the playoffs, they go on to the Finals. When they lose to the Devils, they don't. ;)
If we can improve our 5 on 5 play, and take advantage of our home ice, I think we can take this series in 6. Here is what I see happening.
Game 1- Canes win
Game 2- NJ wins
Game 3- Canes win
Game 4- Canes win
Game 5- NJ Wins
Game 6- Canes win
In order to win this series, we need to in at least one of first two away games, then dominate at home.
personally i am hoping
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 08:28 — esteban1949games 3 & 4 at home, the canes then end it with a win in NJ for game 5 that way the canes can rest a day or 2 before the next round & foe. !
Go Canes !!
chances
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 00:33 — louis12580Quite honestly, I would have liked the 'Canes' chances against the Flyers better. The difference will be the goal tending. Yes it's true that Cam was hot during the streak and everyone pitched in, but let's see how he is now having almost a week off. Rhythm is a big part of the game. We can beat the Devils, but it won't be easy. After that, let's see who else wins. I believe that this is the first year of the new system, where teams are re-seeded, so if the top two teams both win and so do the 'Canes, then it's Boston Fun.
re-seeding
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 13:25 — JRs_FaultYes, they re-seed after each round, but this isn't new this year.
I think the Canes got the best possible matchup in Rnd 1. They've played NJ well in all 4 games this year.
I'm only worried if the Canes can't snap back into their groove before they leave Newark (Game 82 vs. NJ wasn't too bad, but they didn't look good against Buff, in a LOT of ways). Going down 0-2 in the first round would not likely have a good result (despite the Habs series in '06).
I don't like the Canes as much against the bigger Flyers & Bruins. I think they match up well against everyone else, although the Pens are equally hot and would make for a Great Series.
I Prefer the Devils to the Flyers
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 09:56 — fizzbeeWe're 3-1 against the Devils and were it not for the two flukey goals, we'd be 4-0. We went 1-1-2 against the Flyers
The Devils are less physical than the Flyers so if we win we should be less beaten up that if we had played the Flyers.
I like
Sun, 04/12/2009 - 23:24 — esteban1949the fact that the Canes made it ! Our Consistancy maybe an issue as for our back pressure and fore checking. While anyone can be beat on any given day, If the Canes don't keep the pressure on the devils...The Canes may not get far. but the canes do have the skills, and ability to go to the cup finals.
Go Canes !!