The possibility that the New York Rangers will need to play Brett Pesce before this best-of-7 series is ended is one overlooked reason why the Carolina Hurricanes haven’t been eliminated yet in the Eastern Conference Second Round.
In the playoff series between the Hurricanes and Rangers, Brett Pesce might not make a comeback.If that is the case, it will not be in Thursday’s Game 6 at PNC Arena.
When questioned on Wednesday about whether he would start Pesce again if the defenseman was cleared to play, Brind’Amour remained evasive and stated he was prepared.
Without a doubt. You are able to. Brind’Amour stated on Wednesday, “I’m not sure you would, but you surely could.
Before Carolina defeated New York City 4-1 in Game 5, Brind’Amour described Pesce as having “a real kind of flow thing.” He must give us the all-clear. We promise not to pressure him into doing anything he doesn’t feel comfortable doing.
Additionally, Don Waddell, the general manager of Carolina, stated prior to the start of this series, “If everything goes as expected, he will play games in this round, maybe not right away.”
This series, Pesce’s absence has been felt, particularly on special teams when the defenseman plays a key role in Carolina’s penalty kill. In the first two games, the Rangers scored four goals on the power play; however, they have subsequently gone 0-for-11. Nevertheless, Pesce contributes significantly to the PK.
Pesce ranked fourth in terms of ice time per game (20:17) and second on the Hurricanes with 113 blocked shots during the regular season. In 70 games, he recorded 13 points (three goals, ten assists), with one assist in two contests against the Islanders.
Tony DeAngelo, a former Ranger, has replaced Pesce on Carolina’s second defensive tandem alongside fellow former Blueshirt Brady Skjei. In eight postseason games, DeAngelo has two assists and an average of 16:54 of ice time.
The Hurricanes would be overjoyed to have the defensive-minded Pesce back in the starting lineup even though DeAngelo gives their back end a competitive edge and some attacking skill.
Is Pesce quite as healthy as he appears, though? After not playing for two weeks, how rusty might he be in a game that he really needs to win?
That means Brind’Amour has a very tough choice when it comes to the lineup. Unless there’s a seventh game on Saturday at Madison Square Garden, he doesn’t have to make one.
