"In order for the Rangers to do this [get a win in Carolina Friday], they will have to duplicate what they did in the first two periods of Game 1," says Forslund, referring to NYR holding the Hurricanes to just 14 shots on goal in the first 40 minutes. "They made it hard for Carolina to come up the middle. It will be huge if they can sustain that [defensive stronghold] and get great goaltending."
In Carolina Wednesday, the local fans were loud and constant in the third period, urging their squad to get the equalizer. As the long-time Carolina broadcaster before Kraken fans were gifted with Forslund and partner JT Brown for the inaugural season, the future Hall of Famer knows players on both NYR and CAR rosters can be lifted by the home decibels.
"Carolina proved it in this series it can have a bad game and win," says Forslund. "That can be a really good sign for a really good team [one stocked with a number of players acquired by former Hurricanes GM Ron Francis, including superstar center Sebastian Aho, who scored the late tying goal Wednesday."
If the Rangers can even the series Friday and perhaps even especially if they head north down two games to none in the series, Forslund says "Madison Square Garden is going to be a jungle" for the visitors, no matter their higher seed.
"Carolina has yet to prove it can bring it's 'A' game on the road in a hostile city," says Forslund. "New York City will be electric. You get into Manhattan and you can just feel the excitement of playoff atmosphere, people wearing Rangers jerseys even on the off day. It's great."
Forslund adds the temperatures in Raleigh for Game Friday will reach a high of 95 Fahrenheit and puck drop is 8 p.m. local time, setting up "a tailgating scene as crazy as any college football game."
Sunday for two-time defending champion Lightning and Presidents Trophy winner Florida (for best 2021-22 regular season record) will move in-state to Tampa Bay for Game 3 with Forslund on the call. The Panthers scored first in Game 1, delighting the home crowd, but Tampa Bay scored the next four (three in the third period) to get the jump in the series. Game 2 is Thursday.
Whatever happens Thursday, Forslund says Florida best bring their regular-season power-play production and swagger to the home of the Cup titleholders.
"You're not gonna win on points against the champs," says Forslund. "It needs to be a knockout. Florida's power play, with all their offensive talent, has been empty in the first round and early in this series. They need to change that. Sometimes that Presidents Trophy and No. 1 seed puts pressure on a team."
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