Triangle Offense

Has everyone recovered from Tuesday? Good. Let’s roll. Sorry the series recap never happened, but let’s look ahead instead. Before the ‘Canes had time to unwind after a spectacularly memorable Game 7, they were back on a plane, preparing to face a team that beat them like a red-headed stepchild in the regular season. The Boston Bruins, the surprise No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, are up next.

In a lengthy interview the day after the ‘Canes returned home from New Jersey, Mo claimed that the only differences between New Jersey and Boston were the absence of a set checking line and a “little bit of size and speed.” He brought up the point that Claude Julien used to coach New Jersey, and that’s a good point. However, he seems to be forgetting those measly extra 30 goals in the regular season. Oh yeah, and the scoring from all sides. That young wunderkind and age-defying veteran pairing of Kessel and Savard? Might as well throw their names in there. That Michael Ryder guy, he’s been hot in the playoffs so far. And hockey’s Yao Ming, Boston’s 6’9 gut-checking Jolly Yellow Giant, Zdeno Chara…definitely worth a mention.

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• Action from Game 4. (Photo by Peggy Boone, Independent Weekly)

FSCR/ TV—Bring on the Bruins.

Behind with 1:20 left in the game, the ‘Canes potted an incredible two goals and downed the Devils, 4-3, in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup semifinals. They will now move on to face the top-seeded Boston Bruins either Friday or Saturday evening.

The ‘Canes won this game as they won the series: after repeatedly falling behind and clawing their way back. Brian Rolston scored in the second period to put the Devils up again and the ‘Canes couldn’t respond for almost two periods. The team appeared to be down and out until Joni Pitkanen set up Mr. Clutch Goal himself, fellow Finn Jussi Jokinen, who fired one past Brodeur to tie it up and send it into overtime.

But before the Devils could escape regulation, Eric Staal streaked up the side and sent a puck soaring past Brodeur with 32 seconds left in the game. New Jersey looked dumbfounded. The team – and fans everywhere – collapsed into hysterics.

This was by no means a dominant effort by the ‘Canes. The Devils beat them in every statistic, in every possible way – except the one that mattered.

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• The 'Canes kick back on the bench while Mo shows off another snappy suit. (Photo by Dreier Carr, Independent Weekly)

RBC CENTER/ RALEIGH—The Carolina Hurricanes fought hard in Game 6 for the tie and managed to send it back to Newark. Once there, they’ll be able to visit an old friend: Game 7. New Jersey captain Jamie Langenbrunner returned from injury to play in his first since Game 1, but his Devils looked slow and listless after Carolina seized momentum and the home team danced to a 4-0 victory.

Here’s a curious little twist: after going down 3-1 to the Rangers, the Washington Capitals pulled even this morning, so both Southeast division teams are headed to Game 7’s. Staal took over third place in all-time playoff scoring in just two postseason campaigns and Ward responded to his hero’s Thursday shutout with one of his own, making 28 saves in the win.

How do you ignite a stagnant top line? Easy. Add Chad LaRose, water, and stir. The ‘Canes put the team’s leading scorer at the time (I can’t believe I just typed that) on the top line and it paid dividends. Mo wasn’t pulling the press’ chain when he said he was going to tinker with his lines before the game. Anton Babchuk was back after serving as a healthy scratch and Samsonov returned from a short absence due to injury. Patrick Eaves was on the second line with Brind’Amour and Samsonov to start the game and LaRose deservedly jumped onto the top line with Staal and Whitney. Whitney factored in on every goal and he and his linemates combined for nine points.