As the Canes took the ice today at the RBC Center for the morning skate, one had to wonder: was it the last skate of the season? Time will tell.
Scott Walker, Tuomo Ruutu and Erik Cole, who all missed the team practice Monday, all on the ice. All are expected to play tonight in Game 4 against the Penguins.
Walker had his head rammed into the boards in Game 3 by the Pens' Sergei Gonchar and did not return to the game. But he said today that he felt fine and was ready for Game 4.
"Yesterday was a little maintenance day," Walker said. "A little therapy but nothing that's going to keep me out at this time of the year, that's for sure. It was a tough shot, but that's playoff hockey I guess."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at