Didn't see a thread for this yet so figured I would kick it off. Lot's of lopsided high scoring games so far.
The Bruins look dead in the water. The Pit/NYR series looks like it's going to be a real grind. Going to go 7? The Caps looked impressive in Game 1. Even with Bob standing on his head for the first two periods they kept pushing and finally got a few past him. They'll need Willy and Carlson back ASAP to have any chance at the series upset though.
I haven't gotten to see a whole lot of the WC games because they are on past my bedtime. Any WC team fans out there? What are your thoughts on the series so far.
That is the extent of my analysis. Discuss amongst yourselves. Oh ya, and go Caps!
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The Canes are a terrible match-up for the Bruins, but they haven't shown much in the series.
I think the Caps actual have a good shot at the upset. I'm a Pens fan and wasn't too upset at the prospect of having to face Florida instead of New York.
As good as Florida was, they have a lot of qualities of teams that tend to get upset early:
1. Limited playoff experience
2. Very high-scoring and relied on comebacks a lot in the regular season. Can't always count on that in the playoffs.
3. Bob has been frankly a really bad playoff goalie in the past.
Wouldn't be shocked at all to see an older team like the Caps pull this out.
As a caps fan, it's also very refreshing to have no pressure on us. Almost every "expert" picked Florida to win in 5 or 6 (which they very still could), but it's a nice breath of fresh air to not having huge expectations like they have in the past, especially being Presidents Trophy winners... Free rollin' this year
As we know from experience, Presidents Trophy winners can be got early in the playoffs
I think i saw a stat where 7 of the last 32 presidents trophy winners we ousted in 1st round.
It was a goal in the 3rd, bitter, but moving on. Rangers need Panarin to step up and need to be more consistent overall. That abysmal second cost the game just as much as the wrongly overturned goal.
Cats and Caps, I don't think anyone expected the Caps to pull out game 1. Not as a disrespect thing, but as the Caps have had hit and miss goaltending all year. Vanecek is the right call based on more consistency where Samsonov has been more flashy. I'll be intrigued to see what happens in G2
Bolts/Leafs - looks like it has a good chance of going the distance after last night
Canes/Bruins - looks like it's over already. Boston might snipe 1, but the Canes are on a tear right now
West
Oilers/Kings - I have no idea what's going on in that series. I watched both games and can't make heads or tails of it
Wild/Blues - series has been a banger so far. Hat Tricks in game 1 and 2 from different teams Kaprizov/Perron
Flames/Stars - I would imagine Calgary pulls this one out in no more than 5. Too much talent and even though it was only 1-0, holding the Stars to 16 shots on goal bodes well for them
Avs/Preds - If game 2 goes anything like game 1, bust out the brooms. Not having Saros is going to kill the Preds, they better pray he's back at even 90% for game 3.
It was 100% not a goal
(We're definitely not going to agree) Kakkos skates were sideways cutting across crease. Defenseman puts full shoulder and head into Kakko's back forcing the contact with DeSmith causing him to be out of the crease. Also definitely not enough to overturn the good goal called on the ice.
Goalie interference is also called by the flip of a coin and not on any real metrics, so if you're going with that route, then maybe we can agree.
I didn't see him get pushed, but you can't skate through the crease and push the goalie out of the goal and then score. I mean, they're going to call that back every time.
He only ended up in the crease because of the push
Ahh yes! The age old goalie interference/defenseman push debate. Is it a catch or not? The NHL can't figure this one out to save their lives.
I don't necessarily agree. I thought his trajectory was through the paint
As a caps fan tonight is the biggest game they have to keep the pressure up and keep defending inbetween the blue lines the way they did in the third period not allowing florida to skate the puck in the zone. That will keep them off their mojo and limit their chances. Florida in transition is so scary but limit them from running their normal offense and we might have a shot. We really need Carlson to not be hurt and Wilson will be needed soon his offensive production this year has been huge.
They said Carlson was okay after last game, but not looking good for Wilson to play tonight per Samantha Pell. He's not on the ice for the morning skate and Caps called up Leason as well.
I saw Wilson was day to day but I missed the 1st period of game 1 so didnt see why we went off the ice so I was already assuming he wouldnt be back possibly for another game or 2. He is a huge miss offensively but having carlson back after that dirty ass hit late will be big. Hopefully the late game antics will light a fire in them and get them flying around tonight again.
This Canes/Bruins series is like a role reversal from the last 2 times we faced them in the playoffs. We just look physically dominant right now to the point where its really frustrating Boston into taking mindless unnecessary penalties. And the hit that Svechnikov put on Lindholm last night was just crushing. Hope the guy is ok, because he was completely out of it skating to the lockers.
I saw the results of that hit in a bar without the sound on, but didn't understand how Carolina ended up on the powerplay. The hit was boderline dirty (elbow to head/neck area and he left his skates to do it) but all Svechnikov got was 2 minutes and the Canes ended up on the PP due to two retaliation penalties.
That said, the Canes outplayed the Bruins in all facets.
I believe it was because the Boston player who got involved was the 3rd man into a scrum, which comes with an automatic additional 2 mins. I'll be honest, I have no idea. The hit was about as clean as it could be, shoulder to chest, and just an unfortunate result. Honestly, Svech probably didn't even deserve a penalty there, and could have just called Boston for only one minor for the guy jumping him after the hit, but I'm sure the refs had to put someone from each team in the box to hopefully regain control of the game (which they obviously failed to do)
I'm going to disagree here. at 17 seconds in the video below his shoulder is clearly making contact with Lindholm's chin and he is propelling himself upward. A clean hit would be lowering his shoulder into his chest/gut and skating through him. As I said above, its borderline dirty as it comes close to head hunting (he knew Lindholm didn't see him coming, too.)
You can't penalize a guy for being tall and you gotta skate with your head up
As Derek Sanderson is fond of saying, "Hockey is a violent game played by violent men".
If he didn't propel himself upward, I would agree with you. Unless you are head hunting, a check is more effective if you stay lower.
Aaaand now it feels more like the Preds series last year.
It's all fun and games until a teammate gets a skate blade to the neck flopping to the ice like that. In all seriousness, they look like a juggernaut right now. Wouldn't want to be playing them.
Caps somehow out playing but can't shoot tonight. Vanecek being his usual below average goalie again timed with some terrible defending has the caps getting humbled.
The Blues are mercurial as ever. Won game one 4-0 and looked like world beaters. Lost game two 6-2 and looked like we all had the flu.
Really, all teams in the Western have an uphill battle against the Avalanche. They were never really challenged during the regular season and seem built for the playoffs. That said, playoff hockey is the most beautiful chaos so nothing is guaranteed. We shall see.
Edit: I should also add that the Blues have no defense left due to injury, so it should be an uneventful exit for us this round or next.
Well that seemed more like the playoff Caps since 2018. Looking old and slow. FL just didn't beat them on the score board they physically worked them.
Bad VV reared his ugly head. I wonder if Lavs will go to Sammy to start Game 3.
Hopefully they can dig deep and send it back to FL 2-2.
Is Oshie ok?
i absolutely hate the rangers (casual NJD fan) but i'd be okay with them winning one this year for French's sake <3
Never! The rangers and stars are the two teams that really shouldn't never win another game.
And yes, I am THAT Sabres fan
#WinForFrench
LGR!
Dang Pens.
Lotsa high scoring games today
What a dong walloping the Caps put on the Cats. If they can play that sound throughout the playoffs, they can make a serious run. Huge If, with their age and goaltending though.
My Rags were run off the rink tonight
How that isn't interference I don't understand he keeps Sammy from being able to square up. Panthers steal it there caps need to keep the energy
I love the caps but there's no way that's interference my friend. Not much contact and it occurred basically after the puck was in the net.
Caps fucked that one away by not closing out the 3rd period smh
100%. That MoJo breakaway... damn. Woulda, coulda, shoulda.
This was the classic case of the Panthers tried their best to lose but the Caps tried just a little harder.
As a lifelong Caps fan of over 30 years...you come to expect these types of outcomes in the playoffs...which is why their Stanley Cup run in '18 was so special.
No way it was interference. Caps played well and succeeded at losing yet another playoff game as they have done for most of their years.
Aside from the Avs, the parity at this point is pretty impressive. Seems likely that the Pens will be next to close it out, but after that? Feels like a lotta game 7s are coming.
NYR survive
Caps blowing a 3-0 lead. I'm turning this off. Whenever I've watched the last few years they lose. When I don't, they win.
Spent the first half of the game splitting firewood, come in when they go 3 up and say sweet and soon as I sat down they went to shit so its my fault. Cant spell collapse without the letters Caps. From being 2 inches from sealing a 3-1 series lead to choking away game 5 this team seem to find new ways to throw it away every time.
Hand splitting firewood is by far and away the most satisfying chore there is. I fucking love doing it. I'd have gone back outside and kept splitting more.
They do indeed continue to find ways to rip the fans' hearts out. Despite winning the Cup, it seems like its back to same old Caps.
Canes got out classed after the first period. Hope this series never "starts" and the Canes win on home ice in game 7.
We'll see...
Rangers force Game 7.
#WinForFrench
3 straight chokes by the caps. Lose game 6 on some more horrible defending. They really really struggled to clear the puck too often and paid for it. Needed a bigger game on offense and they were pretty flat.
Same old Caps yet again.
I've resigned myself to the fact that there isn't going to be much to root for over the next few years besides watching 8 try to catch 99. This team isn't built for a long playoff run and they lack the cap room to fix the problem. They've got maybe a couple more decent (i.e., in the playoff discussion) seasons before things start to get ugly. After that? I don't see how they avoid a ground-up rebuild.
The interesting thing about this team is they used to be the Young Guns, fast and explosive and always lost in the first round. Now they are the gritty greybeards with the experience, still losing in the first round with the wonderful exception of 2018. It's wild how they are consistently so bad in the playoffs, no matter what type of team they have been with the same core of players.
Well for bad reasons, depending on the severity of Backstrom's hip, the Caps might be opening up long term injury money. That opens a gap for a 2C slot, but the $9.2M over the cap number would help with filling the void. The roster reshape has to inject young fast talent. A vet goaltender to back up whichever goalie is kept and guide him and maybe trading someone like Eller for someone cheaper on the 3rd line.
The big question is are the Caps more focused on 8 chasing 99 or chasing a second cup. It definitely feels like the former right now.
Agree with you on all points. Losing Backy sucks but he hasn't played well since he can't seem to skate. They have budding center in McMichael. A legit goalie is needed and they no doubt have got to get younger. Oshie seems like the most tradeable piece, but he's also got the most team friendly contract. I think they need to find a way to ship Carlson off and Kuzy has got to get better and be worth the money he is paid.
Canes in 7!!! Storm Surging to Round 2 🌀🌀🏒🏒
That place was a nuthouse today. Probably won't have my voice back til Monday.
Worth it.
On to the next one
🍞-man & 🗽>🐧
LGR!
#WinForFrench!
This Rangers team is going to be my end from heart failure. My god, just gutted it out, backs against the wall down 3-1 and trailed in all 3 games, but managed to come back and win each and every time. I don't think the next round is as kind as this one was, but I'm happy as a clam.
Oettinger stood on his head and I'm so disappointed the Stars didn't find a way to win for him. He was unreal.
Picks:
Carolina-Rangers: Canes in 6
Tampa Bay-Florida: Bolts in 7
Edmonton-Calgary: Flames in 7
Colorado-St Lous: Avs in 7
yeah I stayed up late last night for that Stars/Flames OT, heartbroken. At least we know we have our goalie going forward, Oettinger was the only reason the Stars even made it to seven games, dude was amazing. Would have been nice to get double game 7 wins on the same day after the Mavs dominated the Suns last night (which was awesome)
Canes draw first blood, but not without a fight from my Rangers
I am sick for Kakko. Game on his stick and he didn't realize how much time and space he had. Great game from the kids. The "stars" need to pick it up.
Whoooo boy. Florida Panthers down 2-0 in the series after giving up a last second goal. I wasn't watching closely, just waiting for the Blues to start when Tampa Bay scored. I gave an OH SHIT loud enough to wake up the baby.
Now it's time to watch the Blues chase a bunch of really fast dudes around the ice for 60 minutes.
Please Avs. Not in the face. We'd like to have an open casket when we remember this season.
On the replay I kind of see what Weegar was doing, but it is also the wrong play. Even though it's only 2 games so far, I'd say the Cats are on the brink of being toast. That 0-for-playoffs powerplay is not how you win championships. Actually makes it more incredible they've made it this far and come back a few times to boot.
Yeah I'll be curious to see how that series progresses. I've wondered if they're a good team or if they're just a good regular season team. That power play stat makes me think the latter, but we shall see.
What's scary is the Rangers were the same way when they made the 2014 final. They were just godawful bad at the powerplay, but did enough to win up until that series. Florida has the offensive juice to win games, but having that much offensive juice and being 0 for 23? now in the playoffs is genuinely pathetic. If TB takes game 3, it'll be a matter of does the series go 4 games or 5.
I think the lack of playoff experience is gonna be the end of the season for them imo
This is why the NHL postseason is so awesome, it's a whole different game. As the Caps have demonstrated repeatedly, winning the presidents trophy with 120 points means nothing if you can't play playoff hockey. So far, the Panthers look a lot like those Caps teams did; entertaining as hell in the regular season but infuriating in the playoffs.
Blues/Avs game 2, 2nd intermission. We've done a good job of creating chances while mitigating their speed. Seems like we're looking for a heavy quantity of shots, which is working our favor. 20:00 to go. Get it done boys.
The best hockey strategy. Fling the puck on goal and eventually one will go in right.... right?
To the blues credit. Its working 😂
Especially helps when you throw shots on net when the net is empty!
Glad we got it done. Had to get one on the road if we're gonna somehow win this. Nights like tonight make me ask, why not us? Lots of talent here, can obviously compete. Let's get it done.
I did not care for that 2nd Period. 🤦♂️
Let's go Canes! Definitely lived up to best offense is a good defense tonight.
Though they got very lucky the Rangers didn't score in the first period.
Canes flexed their defensive muscles tonight after the SHG. Rangers really didn't have much going on at all offensively for most of the game, to be honest, and it only got worse for them after the goal.
Calgary off to a helluva start
Those Oilers got screwed out of a goal in the 1P
STL's Bennington knocked out of the game, Husso in as Goalie
It's always Kadri... always.
Husso has a period to settle into this game. He hasn't woken up yet.
We've been the better team for a lot of this series so far (to my surprise, if you've been following my commentary). Just haven't capitalized on chances, and now we've lost our hot goalie.
We were buzzing before losing Binny. Playing faster, playing heavier. Then losing Binnington to a (suspiciously) incidental challenge really did us in.
Lol Binnington.
And Binnington.
And Blues fans.
Rags finally score on a Power Play in this series
Rags get a badly-needed W
Florida...yikes. On the verge of getting swept out of the second round by Tampa. I get that they're back to back champs and all that, but when you go all in, you can't let yourselves get skunked.
Rangers-Canes is a war of attrition.
Battle of Alberta is delivering on the hype. Lucic's hit on Smith was just so unnecessary. Smith turned, but Lucic had miles of space around him to avoid the goalie, who is not eligible to be checked anyway. Definitely some game management giving him 5, but at the same time, I don't think I would have argued against 5 if it was earlier in the game either.
Avs-Blues: Binnington is out, Husso has to step up for the Blues after losing the net a couple games in. Kadri wasn't at fault for that injury in my opinion, just guys tangle with a bad result. Might be some drama tonight, could be exciting.
Rangers have to continue to put pressure on and hope Igor holds up. Carolina is the better team.
Great 1P for the Rags tonight
Keep it going strong, Rags!
We play like dogshit on the road. Different animal in PNC, though.
real chippy on the ice tonight, at The Garden
Edmonton wasted no time in scoring. 21s in.
That 3rd goal by Calgary is still one of the worst I've seen in hockey
Its very similar to the goal that effectively ended Scott Darling's career
I completely forgot that Scott Darling existed. I also don't remember this goal at all, but yeesh.
The first one that came to mind for me was Toskala's blunder. Like at least that one was a bouncing puck from the opposite end and not just an on the fly goal to the short side.
I don't have occasion to watch a lot of Oilers games, but my god is it fun to watch McDavid play. Always cool when superstars get better in the playoffs
McDavid is definitely finding another level. In the end, I don't think the Oilers win because of the goalie situation. Mike Smith is fine, but do you trust McD/Drai/Kane to outscore MacKinnon and Co? Can he do enough to withstand the pressure caused by the Canes forecheck? Can Smith beat Vasy? Igor?
NBC screwed this up so badly when they had the TV rights to NHL. If McDavid is playing in the eastern time zone, he should be on national TV. The number of times they would play Pittsburgh or Washington and be on local channels while NBCSN had another mediocre game was mind-boggling.
If McDavid played in NYC, he'd be one of the biggest stars in all of sports. Instead, I, a fan who loves hockey, can only watch maybe an hour of him playing even on the biggest of stages.
Be better, NHL.
In other news, Mika Zibenjad has taken a step up. Can he maintain it when Carolina can play Jordan Staal on him head to head? Big test.
That goal MacKinnon just scored...
*chefs kiss*
MRW he pulled that goal off.
No rooting interest in Avs or Blues, but that goal was incedible. Ludicrous speed and stick handling. Mackinnon looked like McDavid in his highest form. I hope we get to see those two go at it.
Blues survive
That ending was so wild
Because playoff hockey is even better
After years of listening to me say it, wife is now fully on board with "there's nothing better in sports then overtime playoff hockey"
The playoffs have still not "started" for the Canes...
The offsides call was huge today. Canes eye the better team throughout, but Igor keep NYR in the game and having that goal taken off the board was a huge boost.
Avs seem to want to give the Blues a Game 7
Avs in the Western Conference Final. They picked things up, the last 10mins
Ouch.
Avs the better (arguably best) team all year, but still manage to kick us right in the crackers.
Time to go listen to Fast Car by Tracy Chapman and fall asleep. Goodnight all.
Great effort tonight. Too bad Game 7 isn't at The Garden, as well
Carolina has the better team. Rangers have the better goaltending.
Absolutely critical for the Rangers to get a lead tonight. If they have to dump through the neutral zone, they better have their skates on to go get the puck.
Okay start for us tonight
#WinForFrench
#LGR
Igor was an absolute beast. Especially game 6 & 7.
Rangers definitely deserved the win.
Piss poor effort by the Canes tonight. 4th year in a row they went out playing seriously gutless hockey. All of our star players have been passengers this postseason and it's time to start worrying that they just aren't a postseason team.
Rangers played well but we barely made them work for the win. Shameful performance in every phase
Jarvis was great until he got knocked out on a nasty hit. Slavin is always great. Turbo was solid. Aho didn't take over any games but he wasn't a liability like Svech or Necas. Troch wasn't bad. I don't think all our stars didn't shot up, just some main ones.
I think Raanta was ridden too hard and after the couple softies in Game 6 they broke his spirit. It's tough to lose your best goalie just before the playoffs. We'll have to rework the defense: I'd like to see Cole, Smith, and Bear gone. I'm okay with keeping TDA if we can get him cheap. We've got a year left on Andersen/Raanta so idk what we're doing with Koochie. Disappointing end to the season.
I don't think he scored a goal, but Jarvis was consistently the Canes most dangerous offensive threat. Niederietter was also very good. Just didn't finish.
TB will be tough, but I'm so hyped to see my Blue shirts back in the ECF
Ludicrous Game 1 of the WCF. Avs up 7-4, and the 2P isn't over yet
Final was 8-6. Absolutely wild and honestly, not my kind of game. I like the pace, but need some stops in there to keep it interesting.
Last series was 9-6 opening game loss for Edmonton, so we'll see how this plays out. Just additional comparison point for craziness, games 1 through 4 of Canes/Rangers combined for a total of 14 goals. The Canes scored 13 total goals in that series.
I think there are going to be two drastically different styles in these Conference Finals matchups.
Last night was chaos and more chaos to come if Kuemper remains out with that upper body injury. Koskinen surprisingly held his own to some extent after coming in for Smith. I would not be surprised if we see both of them in this series. First team to hold a team under 4 might win every game.
Rangers once again with some cardiac moments. Down 2-0, Down 3-2 in the series and just gut it out to win. The Lightning have won 10 straight playoff series. If everyone is on, this one will be the exact opposite of the WCF. Vasy and Igor are both top of the league goalies. Pretty much every number you want to throw out there for Top X. Special teams are likely the key to this one again. 2 goal lead might be enough in any game this series. 4 goals should win pretty much any game in this one (which means we're going to have a shootout at some point).
Predictions:
Avs in 6
Rangers in 6
I AIN'T HEARD NO FAT LADY. I don't know how they had anything left in the tank, but Game 7 was their best skating game of the Canes series.
Now Tampa. My heart wants to say "Tampa's time is up." No Point, no Sergachev. Vasilesky struggled in the regular season, especially in the first period. My heart remembers 2015 ECF and Tampa crushing the Rangers in Game 7.
Z versus Cirrelli, and Igor vs Vas... those matchups will decide the series.
Yes, I like this Game 1 Outcome for the ECF
Rangers taking a note from when the caps beat vasilevsky in 18 by going high with their shots and it pays off. It worked like a charm for the caps then no reason to not keep hammering that area he's a beast and you gotta take all you can.
😮🔵👕s
Avs break the impasse on scoring tonight. 180-from Game 1
Hey, Bolts:
2-0 Rags
Sick to my stomach today. Can't let that opportunity (up 2-0 halfway into the game up 2-0 in the series) slip away. Ugh ugh ugh.
You should try being a Caps fan
WCF Game 4 is nuts
What a finish. Wanted to see Edmonton get one win at least, but depth (lack of) killed them. Colorado is going to be a tough matchup for whoever comes out of the East. I'd like to see Tampa (because I'd get to snag some box seats from/with dad for a game), but I think COL/NYR would be a better series.
Rags gonna have to stop the bleed at MSG it looks like
Alright Rangers. Got one back with 3:33 left to play. I'm ready for some chaos!
I'm really hoping rangers get it together at home and kick ass this weekend.
I'm still waiting for the game to start. Only one team showed up at 8, so this game clearly didn't happen, right? Please?
Not feeling so good now. The fan chants at Vasilesky reminded me of the Hokie faithful chanting "overrated" at Boise right before Kellen Moore cut our collective heart out with a spoon.
Yeah I'm not feeling the best either. I think we lost our chance to put this series to bed in Game 3. Champions show up, and the Bolts might've done so just in time...
But it ain't over until the fat lady sings...lets go Rags
Rags might need another "Kid Line" to retake momentum
*hilariously NSFW language*
Got hit with a massive episode of the explosive shits about three seconds after Sergachev scored that goal
INAPPROPRIATE WORDS!!!!
Can't waste the chances rangers scuffed in the third and beat the lightning in this game. Tampa just know how to win
Yeah... That's about right
You mean bracing for a big hit and the guy ducks him? Yeah that is pretty chicken of Palat
Redacted due to late detection of sarcasm.
I'll go with, I'm ready to accept lumps for a take where I'm upset after a game, but also feel like Trouba isn't fully in the wrong on this play. Trouba loaded up for a hit that may have ended up questionable, but I also feel like this looks much worse as a result of Palat ducking it.
Oh, so not sarcasm?
I'm no expert on the sport, but to me that clip really looks like Trouba leans forward, launches from his feet, and leads with his right elbow. Looks like an attempted Muay Thai strike that missed.
Congrats ⚡️
Avs start out with a 3-1 lead going in the first intermission
Game 1 going to OT
And a former Cap wins it. Sigh...
Always loved him in DC was sad to see him go hes a solid contributor.
Agreed definitely streaky but man we could still use his speed.
Even when he isnt scoring his speed is a nightmare for defenders and at minimum he was great on the forechecking line when we needed to just dump it in.
Avs put it to the Lightning last night 7-0. Tampa looked rough after a competitive game 1. See what they can do when returning home.
Turnabout is fair play I guess. Missed most of the game but that's another lopsided score.
The best team in the league this year won it all .
Good series. Great playoffs
The funniest fact of the SCF this year:
Corey Perry has now lost three straight SCF series, first two against Tampa Bay (Dallas then Montreal) and now lost it while in Tampa Bay.
This is shitpost if the series signing off.
Colorado's win also snapped Pat Maroon's streak of 3 straight cup victories, although impressive that he's played in 16 consecutive playoff series.
Thread necromancy!!!!!
Looking for Canes fans (Alum07) headed to the outdoor game in Raleigh in Feb.
What is the deal with parking? Is it actually sold out at Carter-Finley? Are they planning to sell spots at PNC? Will the fair grounds be open?
Also, are you going? Want to tailgate?
Yep, I'm going.
Unfortunately, I have no idea what the parking situation is going to be. I plan to be out there all day, but I have no idea, and since the NHL is the ones putting this on instead of the Canes, I really don't even know if my ticket rep will know. The whole ticket sales fiasco was a complete mess. Its sold out, but it really did rub a lot of people the wrong way as prices skyrocketed and the secondary market is batshit insane.
As for tailgating itself, since Carter-Finley and PNC Arena share parking lots, expect everything to be open. The fairgrounds have to be open as well, otherwise there won't be enough spots for everyone to park before the game. I wish I knew more, but I can't even give you a good idea on what the parking situation will be that day and how you can expect to get into and out of the area. For Canes games, it seems like event services tries to change up traffic patterns game by game, and I can't base my experience from the VT-NCSU game this year, because all parking around the stadium and arena are prepaid assigned spots, which won't be the case for the SS game.
My recommendation would be to get there earlier than you think you need to, and expect that things won't be perfect.
10-4. Let's stay in touch and maybe tailgate once we figure out the parking situation.
E-o-r-r 53 @ gmail dot com