I had an uneasy feeling that the Oilers would play well in Game 3 and the Rexall Place was the perfect setting for a desperate team.
It was hard to believe that a 'Canes team that scored five goals in each of the first two games was only able to split the pipes once. Oh-fer the power play and several pucks left on the doorstep. The guys were pretty hacked off at the end of the game ... one, at the way they played and two, by some of the calls made during the game. As one of the most respected hockey journalists said in the press box, "They (the NHL) wanted five games and this is how they'll get it." Either way, the Hurricanes nearly stole another one.
Time to flush Game 3 and get on with it. The 'Canes were upbeat at their skate Sunday, but a lingering issue is Eric Staal. The young phenom has been missing practices to conserve energy (or is it to protect an injury). Staal didn't practice on Sunday, but did face the questions of his dry spell. He hasn't scored a goal since the fifth game against Buffalo. He doesn't look the same either. Staal vows he's OK and will find the net soon ... any kind could break the ice. A slapper, backhander or trash in front of the net. One could break the ice.
The 'Canes need to keep Edmonton down by winning Game 4 Monday night. You don't want to let the team that rallied from an 0-2 deficit against San Jose to even this series. Rexall will be jumping and the 'Canes need to do something to silence the crowd. Score first or continue their dominance on the penalty kill. They have currently killed 19 out of Edmonton's 20 power plays ... THAT'S AMAZING!
Just remember this Caniacs: of the 29 teams who won the first two games of the Stanley Cup finals at home, 28 have gone on to win the Cup. I fully expect the Hurricanes to bounce back Monday night. Only four times this year have they lost back to back games in regulation.
Let's hope both trends continue.
