I'll admit that I was really hoping for the Isles to get the "Redemption Tour 2019", by having matchups vs the Pens, who vanquished them in the playoffs a few years ago (done), the Caps, who Trotz brought to the promised land but wasn't brought back, and the Leafs, so they could whoop Tavares' ass after the way he left. But, the Caps and Leafs are out, so the Isles will just have to create a new narrative.
Isles were 3-1 against the Canes, while the Canes were 1-2-1 against the Isles. Ahhh, NHL accounting. But they last played in early January, so do those games tell you anything at all? And Greiss played all 4, as he's done very well vs the Canes historically. So Trotz either has the problem of possibly changing his starting goalie, or the wonderful problem of having 2 goalies who should be able to win him some games in Round 2.
Isles have home ice advantage in the 2nd round for the first time since, holy shit, I think it's like 32 years! Damn shame the games will be at Barclays Center and not the Coliseum, but hey, they're playing in the 2nd round, which NO FUCKING BODY predicted! So who cares where it is?
Schedule
Game 1: Friday, April 26, 7 p.m., Barclays Center
Game 2: Sunday, April 28, 3 p.m., Barclays Center
Game 3: Wednesday, May 1, Raleigh
Game 4: Friday, May 3, 7 p.m. Raleigh
Game 5: Sunday, May 5, TBD, Barclays Center
Game 6: Tuesday, May 7, TBD, Raleigh
Game 7: Wednesday, May 8, TBD, Barclays Center
The Isles have been sitting around for over a week after sweeping the Penguins, while the Canes are fresh off their 2OT win over the Caps. Who has the advantage there? The Isles should obviously have fresher legs, but they may have let their foot off the gas for a bit now. Trotz has tried to keep practices spirited in order to avoid that, and the players have said they know they can't let off. The Canes may be exhausted for Game 1. Lucky for them, they get an extra day of rest between Games 2 & 3. If there's a Game 7, it's a back-to-back with travel.
The worst part is that there are 2 Friday evening games, and I'll be at my kid's spring league games!
Why don't they consult me on the schedule??? So careless of the league.