The Rangers have been short on forward depth all season. Biggest thing they need to fix next season if they want to be a legit SC team.
Look, the Canes are just a better team. If Shes was playing maybe we'd have a better chance because he can handle the puck and help the D out, but that still wouldn't change the fact that the Canes are a better much deeper team, and that's without two of their top 6 dmen.
Take some positives:
1. This is Hank's swan song. It's over for him. I think this makes it easier for us to part in the offseason. He has allowed 2 soft goals today, and 1 middle of the road questionable goal in game 1. I just hope they keep Georgiev as the backup, unless they can get a very solid package for him.
2. The kids will get needed experience from these games. That can only help in the long run.
3. Even if we somehow beat the Canes, we were not beating the Caps/Bruins/Lightning/Flyers. Losing to the Canes gives us a better pick, and a 12.5% chance at the # 1 pick overall. That is a plus.