Well, it is a series again with Edmonton holding on Saturday night 2-1 to pull to within two games to one of the Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Final.
This was a game the Oilers had to have and they laid it all out, but still, the Hurricanes had their chances and despite the Edmonton win, there's no question in my mind that Carolina is the better team. The 'Canes are just deeper and have more ability to put goals in the net.
I thought before the series began that the 'Canes would win it in five or six, and that still seems about right. Win Monday night and they come back to Raleigh on Wednesday to win the Stanley Cup on home ice.
However, although that scenario sounds simple, you've got to like the grit and determination of Edmonton. Those guys battle, and they battled on Saturday night. And when it looked like another patented 'Canes third-period rally, the Oilers didn't panic. They will come out again hard on Monday night, but so will Carolina.
The 'Canes play their best with a chip on their shoulder and that locker room believes that Ryan Smyth's game winner shouldn't have counted, although watching the replay numerous times and hearing the explanation from John Davidson, who I think is very good, it appears like the correct call was made.
In the post-game, the Hurricanes were miffed about the call, but seemed more upset because they didn't feel they played their game.
"We didn't play well enough to win," 'Canes center Kevyn Adams said. "When you're an honest hockey team and you throw everything you've got, usually you're going to win hockey games."
"We didn't play well enough to win, and we didn't," he continued.
The Oilers, on the other hand, seemed relieved to have won a game they could not afford to lose. They played hard and tough and they got a big spark from their crowd. Their goals weren't pretty, but who cares? They got two of them and that was good enough.
I would expect Carolina to come out the aggressor in Game Four. That has been their mode of operation the entire season and a reason I respect them so much as a team. They just never give up. There is so much character and leadership on this Hurricanes team and from so many different people, and the will to win will be there Monday night.
Game Four is now the key game. If Edmonton wins, it's the best two out of three. If Carolina wins, it's come back home with a chance to win the Stanley Cup in Game five. That is something that Caniacs would love and want to see.
