The Canes' Scott Walker said he and his teammates did more than take the last two days to rest and recoup and get ready to play the Penguins in Game 4.
"It gave us a chance to look in the mirror and look at ourselves and say, 'Is this the way we want to be playing at this time of the year, in the Eastern Conference finals?'" he said. "Maybe in that sense it has given us some time to soul search or look at ourselves and say 'How do I want to be remembered?'
"Do I have to play better? As a team what do we need to do better? I think, regardless of whether it's two days or one day, that's what we need to do."
As Canes coach Paul Maurice said today, "We didn't win the lottery to get to the conference finals. We were a good team for a good part of the season."
Like Walker, Maurice said he wanted his team to play Game 4 tonight against the Penguins like it has so often in the season, in the playoffs. With resolve, with the determination to bounce back from a bad break or a bad goal.
"We like our team. We like the group of guys that we have," center Eric Staal said. "Things change over the summer, so we want to make sure that we play better than we are right now.
"We need to respond, starting with Game 4, and go from there."
Asked what he knew about the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs and 1975 New York Islanders, Staal smiled. Yes, he said, he was aware that both trailed 3-0 in a series and won.
"I know they came back," he said. "We know it can be done. We've got a chance and that's all we need. We're excited for the challenge.
"It's definitely not going to be easy but who cares? We can compete and play and we can beat this team. We beat them during the year and we've got a chance here at home to hopefully build some momentum and then go from there."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
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Paul Maurice has done a good job
Sun, 01/24/2010 - 23:34 — kefir_grainsIt's absolutely true that Paul Maurice has done quite a mediocre job as the coach of the Canes, especially with the likes of Staal, Brind'amour, Whitney, Ward, etc but I don't think the administration would fire him so early after he went as far as he did in the playoffs last year.
He may not have made it pretty, but the Canes-Bruins series last year was beyond exciting. The conference finals give credit to a coach no matter what, and I think he's going to be given a longer chance to dig himself out of this hole, especially with Staal now out of the line up.
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To win this series, the
Thu, 11/05/2009 - 05:55 — alinadesouzaTo win this series, the Canes will have to play their three best games but also hope that Pittsburgh takes their foot off the gas enough to let them back in.
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I thought I did a better job
Tue, 07/28/2009 - 04:13 — GarryWertI thought I did a better job when I wrote the article about I don't remember the Canes... I don't know where they finished. (HA HA HA HA on your 3 game loss A holes.) This is uncalled for. Aaron Ward is not the Villain.
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The Canes ought to add a bit
Sun, 07/12/2009 - 19:54 — tonygreeneThe Canes ought to add a bit more excitement to the new standings this year. Miami sports have really taken a back seat to what the northerners of Gainesville have been doing recently.free internet advertising |job listings |adjustable beds
Give them a break
Sun, 07/12/2009 - 10:28 — infiniqueI think in any case, the wheel of fortune often spins differently. I think we shouldn't be so hard on the team. Perhaps it's time to bring in new players and a new coach to turn things around.
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The idiot that made the
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 01:36 — steelermikeThe idiot that made the comment about Scott Walker's wife is not a true hockey fan (clearly from Boston) and may not even be human! Having said that, I tip my hat to the Hurricanes for going this deep into the playoffs (when no one gave them a chance) and knocking off Boston. The 'Canes aren't any good? Tell that to the Devils' fans. It's clear that the 2 preceding series took its toll on the team and they had no answer for Evgeni Malkin who is playing extraordinary hockey right now. My biggest peeve about the series was seeing Cowher root for the'Canes and spouting some crap about pulling for them because he lives here now. Did he feel the same way when Panther's stadium was filled with Terrible Towels when the Steelers came to town? He'll catch major crap from his daughters for this one! For crying out loud...he's from Crafton!!
I hope the Carolina fans will now pull for the Pens as they
are from the same conference. Believe it or not, I would pull for the (choke) Brownies if hell froze over and they made it to the Super Bowl!
Let's go canes. It's not
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 22:30 — farrahmsmithLet's go canes. It's not over yet.
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Oh look, the Penguins just
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 19:56 — canessuckathockeyOh look, the Penguins just scored again!!!! HAHAHAHAHHA. Now what are you going to do Ralegih? HAHAHAHH. Oh God this is just too delicious. You are the laughing stock of the NHL. HAHAHAHHAHAHA> Oh God this is better than anything. I must have been a good girl because I am getting it just how I like it. In your face. Ahahahahahhaha.
No Class / Low Class
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 22:13 — CaniacGuyDip*hit
What a rude dope.
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 21:13 — mnhockeyI'm not a Canes fan, but I am a fan of the game. You, obviously, are not. This is the sport that, even after hard-fought seven-game series, hard hits, words exchanged and bitter losses, both teams -- the team that won and the team that lost -- come out and shake hands, expressing their appreciation for a game against worthy opponents.
If you're over the age of 14 (not that one would guess that from your invective), I hope you're ashamed of yourself. If not, you're parents need to take you out behind the woodshed for a proper whooping.
Spoken like a true hick.
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 21:58 — canessuckathockeySpoken like a true hick. Get a life Hillbilly.
Please pick up your mop and
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 23:48 — richardfocPlease pick up your mop and get back to work. The boss is not going to be happy with you.
Carolina Hurricanes... the NHL's White Trash
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 19:52 — canessuckathockeySouthern Hospitality? This is utterly shameful. Where is the loudmouth now who was so indignant when I posted an article (not written by me)with a column that said Carolina was one of the toughest places for the NHL to play? The writer opined the fans were less than civil. Where are you now? I was going to write an article (it's in my head and will never come out because it hurts too bad but it was going to go like this: What do Kelly Ward and Melissa Thomas have in common? That was going to be my intro. Then, I was going to say this. They are wives of NHL men. They bore children to these men. They know of the dangers when their husbands skate off to work. They can get a phone call anytime with bad news. What they also SHOULD EXPECT is the NHL protect their loving husbands by enforcing rules. (i.e. no back strike to the neck, and no UNPROVOKED chicken chit punch to the face.) But, I didn't write that article. I thought I did a better job when I wrote the article about I don't remember the Canes... I don't know where they finished. (HA HA HA HA on your 3 game loss A holes.) This is uncalled for. Aaron Ward is not the Villain. He played a clean game all year long and his wife Kelly, his son Liam, Daughter Libby and Baby Phoebe are welcome in Minnesota anytime. Shame on you Raleigh. You going to jump on your tractors and roll into Pittsburgh with your filthy fingernails and missing teeth and act like Hillbillies there too? Shame on you!!!!
Low Class / No Class
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 22:13 — CaniacGuyDip*hit
Canes Suck
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 19:40 — canessuckathockeyI am watching you lose the 4th game now. Walker, you are the biggest piece of chit in the NHL. Congratulations. I never thought you or anybody could join the ranks of Avery but you have. You must be so proud. There are two periods left of tonight's game and it is my hope, you personally leave the ice in a body bag. What you did to Aaron Ward is the most chicken chit thing I have ever seen in 20 plus years of watching this sport. Oh and your wife's cancer? No doubt where that came from you Maggot. Call your loss Karma. Call payback a bitch. I personally will see to it you get what you deserve.
No class
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 22:12 — CaniacGuyYou just had to show that you have no class whatsoever, didn't you. I'm not even going to try to refute the crap that spills out of regarding Scott Walker, Aaron Ward, what was or wasn't a good or bad or dirty or anything else punch, sucker punch, or whatever else you think it was.
What's LOW CLASS / NO CLASS is bringing Mr. Walker's wife's situation into it.
You are simply put, a dip*hit.
Is that all you got
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 22:19 — canessuckathockeyIs that all you got Inbred?
Which is it?
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 22:39 — CaniacGuyEvery time you put your fingers to your keyboard (assuming you're not using voice input) you only further cement the low view that others have of you.
Is it that you truly cannot see how poorly you making yourself look, or is that you truly have so little self respect that you do not care?
I feel sorry for you in the former, and even more sorry for you in the latter.
The last refuge
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 22:30 — CaniacGuyThe last refuge of those without any other option or ability is to resort to name calling. Proving yet again, my earlier stated opinion is ... spot on.
GAME 4 HURRICANES 0 penguins 0
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 18:35 — mwenglert919Well Well-sometimes you just have to taste your own blood to remember who you are and what you play for.
PLAY LIKE YOUR HAIR IS ON FIRE AND BE WORTHY OF THE OPPORTUNITY THAT YOU AS A TEAM HAVE EARNED-PLAY FOR THE TEAM-THE ONES YOU LOVE AND THE CANIACS WHO HAVE SUPPORTED YOU THROUGH THICK AND THIN.
BUT-MOST IMPORTANTLY PLAY FOR YOURSELVES AS THIS IS "YOUR TIME"AND YOU HAVE EARNED EVERY BIT OF IT !
PLAY EACH SHIFT HARD AND SMART-FINISH YOUR CHECKS FROM THE TIME THE CUTE LITTLE GIRL SINGS UNTIL THE FINAL HORN.
BODIES ON BODIES-WIN THE BATTLES-EAT LIGHTNING AND CRAP THUNDER AND LET`S GO CANES !-ROCKY "THE ITALIAN STALLION" BALBOA
GAME 4 HURRICANES 0 penguins 0
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 18:33 — mwenglert919Well Well-sometimes you just have to taste your own blood to remember who you are and what you play for.
PLAY LIKE YOUR HAIR IS ON FIRE AND BE WORTHY OF THE OPPORTUNITY THAT YOU AS A TEAM HAVE EARNED-PLAY FOR THE TEAM-THE ONES YOU LOVE AND THE CANIACS WHO HAVE SUPPORTED YOU THROUGH THICK AND THIN.
BUT-MOST IMPORTANTLY PLAY FOR YOURSELVES AS THIS IS "YOUR TIME"AND YOU HAVE EARNED EVERY BIT OF IT !
PLAY EACH SHIFT HARD AND SMART-FINISH YOUR CHECKS FROM THE TIME THE CUTE LITTLE GIRL SINGS UNTIL THE FINAL HORN.
BODIES ON BODIES-WIN THE BATTLES-EAT LIGHTNING AND CRAP THUNDER AND LET`S GO CANES !-ROCKY "THE ITALIAN STALLION" BALBOA
"The Canes' Scott Walker
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 16:52 — Monkeyboy5000"The Canes' Scott Walker said he and his teammates did more than take the last two days to rest and recoup and get ready to play the Penguins in Game 4. "
I hope so. I hope they put something on Cam Ward's bottom to stop the stinging from the spanking the Pens have been laying on him.
It will be a very exciting
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 16:51 — gocanes2It will be a very exciting game tonight, especially if Carolina gets out of their "funk" and plays their best hockey. billturner, you are so right.....it has been a GREAT, successful season! Let's go HURRICANES!!
Love it
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 14:40 — LetsGoPens71Love your attitude and support Canes fans, especially about busting out the black jerseys. Let's get it on! Let's Go Pens!
When the game is over
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 13:45 — RPadiWhen the game is over tonight the Canes are going to get an standing ovation from me regardless of what the score is!!!
GO CANES!!!
GO CANES!
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 12:35 — canes26GO CANES!
black jerseys
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 12:25 — mumsyb13Can't wear the black. They would have to commit for each series upfront to wear the 3rd jersey at home.
History is not on the Canes
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 11:45 — billturnerHistory is not on the Canes side, but win or lose to finish in the top 4 out of 30 teams is a successful season.
Go Canes!
Amen GoCanesGo
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 11:36 — esteban1949Amen...but i don't care if they wear paper doilies...I'd like to see the Canes put their best efforts out there tonight, regardless of the outcome. Why ? Because i know they Can !!
Go Canes !!
Time for the Black Jerseys
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 11:02 — GoCanesGoLet's bust out the black jerseys tonight. The comeback starts with just one win.