“Carolina’s team could be in trouble” – expert Ismo Lehkonen opens up about how the NHL’s marathon match affects the balance of power in the match series

Carolinas team could be in trouble expert Ismo Lehkonen

will show two games from the NHL conference finals this weekend. On the night between Saturday and Sunday at 03:00, the second game of the series between Carolina and Florida will be shown.

On Sunday evening at 22:00, it’s the second half of Vegas and Dallas. Both matches will be broadcast live on TV2 and Areena.

The opening match of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes went into the fourth overtime.

The teams played for almost two hours and 20 minutes instead of the usual 60 minutes, i.e. more than two matches in a row.

– During set breaks, our physical trainers were in a hurry to bring us drinks and snacks. Varti’s breaks were short, the Florida captain Alexander Barkov said.

– The further the match progressed, the more difficult it became for both teams. We no longer knew how many extra rounds were going. We ate all night and were well taken care of, Florida Striker Ryan Lomberg said.

Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour regretted the tight loss after a long match.

– There were a lot of ups and downs in the game. In the end it’s just one game, but our players will stay at home tomorrow so they can do it again the next day.

The teams meet again early on Sunday Finnish time, so the recovery time is short.

Goalkeepers to change?

Urheilu’s ice hockey expert Ismo Lehkonen estimates that the marathon match will be seen in the teams’ next meeting, especially on the defensive end.

The defenders clocked the most ice time of the match after the goalkeepers. Carolina Brent Burns was on the ice for 54 minutes and 43 seconds and Jacob Slavin 51.41. Florida Packs Brandon Montour (57.56) and Gustav Forsling (55.41) toiled even longer.

– Carolina’s baking is heavier. There might be problems there. Pakit Montour and Forsling from Florida are such light-footed and technically well-skating guys that I don’t think they will have any difficulties, says Lehkonen.

According to the NHL website, Burns weighs 104 kilograms and Slavin ten kilograms less. Montour is 87 kilos and Forsling weighs 84 kilos.

– Carolina’s defenders are hard to fight and twist, but when they are heavy, and some had to play for almost an hour, logic says that this will show in the next match.

The goalkeepers of both teams played the entire match. of Florida Sergei Bobrovsky made 63 saves, Carolina Frederik Andersen 57. According to Lehkonen, playing the same guards in the next match is uncertain.

– Will they be able to play after a game like that after such a short recovery time? The risk of injury increases.

Ended up as the second guard Antti Raanta may soon receive the responsibility of prevention.

– Andersen has had injuries and muscle injuries along the way. When playing a match lasting more than two games, Raanta would be a logical option for the goal in the second game.

Jesse Puljujärvi will probably continue to follow the match series from the side of the stands, Lehkonen estimates.

Take in Florida?

Florida’s away win gives it a good starting point for an even match series. The victory after a long struggle gives the Panthers strength.

– Everyone understands that it consumed an incredible amount of gas from the tanks. Florida gets a huge amount of energy from the win compared to how much power was consumed by Carolina.

According to Lehkonen, the next match in Raleigh is significant for the series. The pressure is on in the Hurricanes camp, which continues at home.

– Florida understands that when it really squeezes and grinds the next game, it gets really good step signs for two home games. Carolina, on the other hand, knows that it is in trouble if it is not able to fight and tear the victory from the second game with its own style of play.

Florida has knocked down giant clubs Boston and Toronto in the playoffs, and the team has strong self-confidence and a clear way of playing for the playoffs. Lehkonen emphasizes the importance of team captain Aleksander Barkov.

– Barkov played quite a cannon game. He was already really good in the Toronto match series, blinding more than ten million men to the 0+0 level, even though he didn’t make any power himself.

– These newlyweds suit him really well. It doesn’t matter if it comes from there Jordan Staal, Sebastian Aho or Jesperi Kotkaniemi against, Barkov is able to be well on top of the game with his chain.

Barkov’s field scored two goals in the first match in a draw. Carolina managed to score only with superiority.

will show two games from the NHL conference finals this weekend. On the night between Saturday and Sunday at 03:00, the second game of the series between Carolina and Florida will be shown.

On Sunday evening at 22:00, it’s the second half of Vegas and Dallas. Both matches will be broadcast live on TV2 and Areena. While waiting for them, you can, for example, listen to the latest Ika änäri episode.

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