Hello everyone! Please allow me to introduce myself. I am a bear of wealth and taste. Okay, this is the human behind the bear…the Nightmare Bear that is.
Besides, the occasional fantasy hockey, NHL, New Jersey Devils, and in general writings, readers will get to see the unplugged version of that blasted nightmare bear. The goal here is to declare the end of a team but in style.
Now, the Eastern Conference featured the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers. Once upon a time, they were Southeast Division rivals. Two years ago, these teams faced off in the same round. Florida emerged victorious in four games but won each time by one goal (including an epic four overtime affair). Florida went on to lose the Stanley Cup Final but won the Stanley Cup last season over the Edmonton Oilers. Lol and behold, there’s a Cup Final rematch in 2025.
The Beauty Of The Nightmare Bear
Again, what most people have to understand is that series go through ebbs and flows. Did anyone expect Florida to take Games 1, 2, and 5 in Carolina? Okay, there were some pundits who believed the Panthers could again make this a shorter series.
Again, one of the big problems the Carolina Hurricanes had was the penalty kill. This did not surface until the Hurricanes played the Panthers. Why? Look at the strategy. Florida employs an attack that uses muscle and speed down the middle of the ice. They create matchup problems and mostly play the same way at even strength. Whether Rod Brind’amour and Carolina admit this or not, they are weak at the center when compared to Florida.
Furthermore, that is why Carolina needs a second-line center and even a middle-six defensive center that can go toe-to-toe with teams like Florida. Granted, other needs are obvious – goaltending, more scoring, etc. However, every time the Panthers turned up the heat, the Hurricanes downgraded. When the Panthers went down 2-0 in Game 5, it appeared over and then it was not. The game changed on a penalty and great teams take advantage of gifts. Florida dominated the middle stanza and scored three times.
Even when Carolina tied the game, Florida had the players to prevent the game from going to overtime. The play of Aleksander Barkov will never get talked about enough. Poor Dmitry Orlov will need witness protection after this series as Florida feasted on his side of the ice early and often. Anyway, Florida scored the go-ahead goal, tacked on an empty netter, and are on their way to the Stanley Cup Final. Most expect that to be a rematch with the Edmonton Oilers. Likely, that round starts later next week or weekend.
Some Final Thoughts
Simply, the Florida Panthers did it again. Carolina has other problems with goaltending, depth, coaching, etc. However, the Hurricanes ran into a team that plays the game with more feistiness, like cats on the prowl. Toronto, with their talent basis, nearly overcame this. Edmonton, last year, almost found a way to do the impossible. There is one parting shot. Thanks to Michael Clifford for this:
Alas, there are many other head scratchers but all teams do this. The Hall decision is one which just sticks out immediately because Carolina went 0-for- on the power play in the finale. Then there is the goaltending, the way the team responds to playing a bigger bully, etc. However, that is for another time.
