Carolina Hurricanes: Ten Qualifying Round Bold Predictions
By Austin Isham
The Carolina Hurricanes will take on the Rangers in the Qualifying round.
Expect the unexpected, here are ten bold predictions for the Carolina Hurricanes’ play-in series with the Rangers.
Not in any particular order, here are some things that could possibly occur during the best of five series between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers.
1. Ryan Dzingel, Vincent Trocheck and Nino Niederreiter will be the Canes top three goal scorers.
The first bold prediction on this list sees a trio of middle six forwards leading the way in the goal scoring department. Combining for only 30 goals between the three of them in the regular season, don’t be surprised to see Ryan Dzingel, Vincent Trocheck and Nino Niederreiter break out and finish the series as the top goal-getters.
Based solely on line rushes in camp, Dzingel may be the 13th forward for game one, but don’t that that fool you, he will see some game action and will look to capitalize on his ice time. Although he only found the back of the net only eight time this season, he’s coming off two back to back 20+ goal campaigns.
Trocheck and Niederreiter both had 11 goals a piece and will look to improve on that number. Given the fact that Carolina is deeper than ever in all areas they have the ability to load up on their top line. Because of this, New York will put out their best defensive units out against the Aho group, allowing guys like Nino to capitalize against more favorable matchups.
2. Rookie Martin Necas will lead the team in assists.
Taking that next step in his development, I am expecting rookie forward Martin Necas to have a break out postseason. Although technically it is the same campaign, all the time off between the last regular season game and now was equivalent to that of a offseason, allowing him a lot of time to improve.
He performed fairly well for the Charlotte Checkers in their Championship run last spring so there’s no reason not to expect him to do the same with the Canes. With 20 assists on the year, it wouldn’t’t shock me if he leads the team in that category after the series with New York is completed.