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Game 1 Preview: Hurricanes vs. Rangers

August 1, 2020, 9:03 AM ET [12 Comments]
Ben Shelley
Carolina Hurricanes Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Follow me on Twitter: @BenShelley_20
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The Carolina Hurricanes will finally open up their qualifying round series against the New York Rangers this afternoon. I’ve done several previews but I wanted to do one final article ahead of Game 1.

The Hurricanes are coming off a loss in their exhibition game against the Washington Capitals, while the New York Rangers had an equally disappointing performance against the New York Rangers.

One worry with the Hurricanes for me right now is actually their defense. While I still think they have an edge over New York’s blue line, it looked like there were clearly pieces missing in their game against the Capitals. They were giving up some point-blank chances and if they do that against the Rangers, they’ll get burned.

For the Rangers, while both Igor Shesterkin and Henrik Lundqvist looked quite good, Artemi Panarin and Mike Zibanejad were pretty invisible. Zibanejad had just two shots on goal while Panarin didn’t manage a single shot.

According to NHL.com’s Dan Rosen, here are the projected lineups:


CAROLINA

Svechnikov - Aho - Teravainen
Dzingel - Trocheck - Necas
Niederreiter - Staal - Williams
Foegele - Martinook - McGinn

Slavin - Vatanen
Skjei - Edmundson
Gardiner - van Riemsdyk

Petr Mrazek
James Reimer


NEW YORK

Kreider - Zibanejad - Buchnevich
Panarin - Strome - Fast
Di Giuseppe - Chytil - Kakko
Howden - McKegg - Gauthier

Smith - Trouba
Lindgren - Fox
Staal - DeAngelo

Shesterkin
Lundqvist


If these lines are accurate, it means we’re likely to see Ryan Dzingel in the top-six. He’s not the most capable winger to be playing in the top-six but I think the way they’ve worked the Dzingel/Niederreiter/Foegele situation probably utilizes each player in the best situation. Necas may or may not be able to play, according to Rosen.



According to the lineup, we’d also be seeing Trevor van Riemdsdyk taking the last spot in the lineup, over Haydn Fleury. I’d certainly prefer Fleury but obviously, the Hurricanes are going for playoff experience here. Both Carolina and New York have yet to name a starter (and in Carolina’s case, I’m hopeful it’ll be Reimer).

Puck drop is at noon.



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Here’s today’s poll question (results and discussion will be posted in a future article):

The Hurricanes will win Game 1:
Yep!
Nope
Created with PollMaker

OTHER HURRICANES ARTICLES FROM JULY

Notes from yesterday’s loss against the Capitals
Hurricanes face Capitals in an exhibition game today
Current Hurricanes lineup vs. last year’s playoff lineup: Defense/Goalies
Reviewing last week's polls (July 27): Hurricanes Edition
SHORT READ: Jack Drury reportedly heading to Sweden for 2020-21 season
SHORT READ: Dougie Hamilton reportedly injured, could miss weeks
Current Hurricanes lineup vs. last year’s playoff lineup: Forwards
Which of Carolina’s defensemen will be scratched in the qualifying round?
Reviewing this week's polls (July 18): Hurricanes Edition
This time around, Hurricanes face pressure to perform in the playoffs
Will Morgan Geekie have a spot in Carolina’s playoff lineup?
Will the Hurricanes use Ryan Suzuki in the playoffs?
Reviewing last week's polls (July 6): Hurricanes Edition
Hurricanes will likely rely heavily on Hamilton and Slavin against Rangers
SHORT READ: Rick Dudley leaving the Hurricanes
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