Mailbag #27: Round One Winners

RALEIGH, NC. -Are your ears still ringing from the environment inside PNC Arena, or is that an aftereffect of the celebration that followed?
While that's for you to decide, what needs not contemplation is the fact that the Carolina Hurricanes are headed to Round Two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
There were highs and lows along the way over seven games against the Boston Bruins, with a whole lot of stress in between.
Let's reflect back on the series and look ahead with some questions that you all provided.

(Please Note: Some questions have been edited for clarity.)
Now that the Canes have finished their series, can they breathe, and take a break? Or do they go right into practicing for the next series? - @MargaretHogan\_
Today (Sunday) is a rare off day for the team.
Albeit the practices between Games 1-3 were limited, meaning not everybody skated; today is the first day off since before the start of the series for the team. Welcomed and deserved.
Right back to business tomorrow though, with a team practice scheduled for the morning.
When will Round Two begin? - @CanesFan1711
We'll know tonight after the conclusion of the Dallas/Calgary game.
As was the case with Round One, the league waited until all games on the final regularly scheduled day of the regular season were complete before they rolled out the schedule.
So, inevitably the Flames and Stars will go to three overtimes and the NHL will publish the info around 3:72 a.m. Don't wait up. Start your Monday with the info. Game One won't be until either Tuesday or Wednesday, anyways.
Who are your three MVPs of Round One for the Canes? - @CaniacIntubator
In no particular order, Jordan Staal, Antti Raanta and Jaccob Slavin.
Staal was an absolute monster against the Bergeron line and the X-Factor in the Canes wins at PNC Arena.
Three wins for Antti Raanta - all with two goals or fewer against in them. Oh, and after suffering an injury during the last week of the regular season and then being run over in Game Two? Marvelous.
Jaccob Slavin finished tied for the team-high eight points in the series, in addition to his incredible defensive work. The dude seemingly never gets enough credit. It's actually insane how good he is.

How much prep goes into setting up a playoff home game? Seems like a lot of work, but PNC always delivers. - @CanesStats
First off, thank you for noticing. It definitely is a lot. There are a ton of people behind the scenes that are plenty deserving of recognition.
While it would be impossible for me to shout-out every single one, how about the in-game environment? The towels on the seats don't magically appear, after all. The full-time staff has been at it the day before each game, laying out multiple sections per department.
Keeping the crowd engaged and starting the in-game chants and cheers? Kudos to the Game Operations & Entertainment team, headed by Chris Greenley, Sam Heinsohn and Leah Bellio, who coordinate and run the above listed items.
Again, I should probably stop before I get myself in trouble for over-sighting or not individually calling out someone, but it really is a lot. There is frankly a lot of added stress, but I think everyone who works for the team can take some pride in moments such as yesterday, hosting the biggest crowd in franchise history. Makes it worth it.
Svech and Aho combined for nine points (iirc) in the seven games versus Boston. Was that the result of matchups Boston put out there, and if so, do either NYR or the Pens have a similar "neutralizing" line? - @KrakenCaniac
Brilliant hockey question, Brian.
Patrice Bergeron is the best defensive forward to play the sport in the last 10-15 years. Rod Brind'Amour said post-game yesterday that you could realistically you could rename the Selke Trophy after him and there would not be complaints.
In the games in Boston, Bruce Cassidy and co. had Bergeron's line against Aho's line. That played a big part in their numbers. No points for Aho at TD Garden, only two for Svechnikov, one of which was a power play goal.
You just have to give credit where credit is due. It takes a special player to be able to shut down those talented players for Carolina.
Now, to the second half of the question, do either the Rangers or Penguins have a similar neutralizing line? Obviously Sidney Crosby is an incredible player, so his line is probably the closest thing from either team. Is he as strong as of a player defensively as Bergeron? No, but there's some offensive compensation leaning his way in that head-to-head comparison. As far as the Rangers go, their top half of their lineup is again much more offensive-based as opposed to being the shutdown type.
Let's just keep this simple. Freddie Andersen? - @CaniacZach
I get it. He was a top five regular season goalie.
However, let me answer a question with a question to start this one. What's the rush?
Antti Raanta was damn good this series. His .927 save percentage ranks fourth among all goalies that played four games in Round One.
Have we also forgotten that Pyotr Kochetkov was also REALLY good during his incredibly tough appearances? He won in relief and then in his only start was the loss in which Carolina allowed three special teams goals. What more could you ask for there?
Also, what will Andersen look like when he comes back from injury?
Rod Brind'Amour has finally started cutting through the red tape with updates and said this week, "Until he practices with us, there is no update."
When Freddie does practice with the team, you will hear a siren sounding so loud it will be able to be heard by all of the Triangle. Those near and dear to you will spring up out of their chairs, maybe even take their shirt off and spin it around their head like a helicopter.
We getting new uni's next year? - @wlowery14
For the Stadium Series game, yes! That's become customary for participating teams.

Closing Up Shop

Thank you, as always, to everyone who took the time to ask questions today.
There's been a huge uptick lately and while I'd like to answer every single one, I understand that attention spans only last so long these days.
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and let's gear up for another big week!
Not a member of Twitter? We're always happy to take questions at [email protected] as well!
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