Staff photo by Chris Seward
BOSTON — The last time the Hurricanes and Bruins were matched up in a playoff series, Sergei Samsonov was doing all he could to beat the Canes.
That was 1999, when Samsonov was in his second year with the Bruins. Boston won that series in six games, including a 4-3 win in Game 5 in Greenboro decided on Anson Carter's goal in the second overtime.
"It's been a while ago now, but I do remember a little bit about that series," Samsonov said today. "I do remember the team wasn't in Raleigh then and we played in Greensboro, and that Anson Carter scored that big goal.
"I had a goal in that series, I remember. But other than that, it's hard to recall too much. This team has changed so much and Boston's team has changed so much."
One thing that has not changed is the passion and devotion of Bruins fans. For Samsonov, who played eight seasons in Boston, that's a memory that does stick with him.
"It's huge," he said. "Even when we were going through hard times in Boston, the fans were there, the fan base was always there. It was always jacked up about the team.
"That's been carrying over for years. Now they have one of the best teams in the league and we can see the excitement in the town about this series."
To beat the Bruins, Samsonov said the Canes need to "keep doing what we've been doing."
"I think we've become a better team by being more patient with the puck and being comfortable with close games. I think that's what separates us now from early in the season, where we almost needed a three-goal lead to close the deal.
"Now, we have a lot of confidence going into the third period if we're down by a goal we can come back and win games."
Samsonov sat out a game in the New Jersey series with a lower-body injury. While he said he feels better, he said he's "not quite there, but good enough."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Slammin Sammy Samsonov
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 10:13 — JumptheSharkSamsonov was well respected in Boston until the very end, and his trade was somewhat of a surprise. But, in hindsight, he couldn't get it done. He's been a castoff in the years since, never really reclaiming his identity as as a PP sniper. He had back problems in Boston, and this was well known. So don't claim to know how the fans in Boston treated him. We were as shocked as anyone when he and Jumb Joe were sent packing. In hindsight, those trades opened up space for Chara, Savard and Ryder. Boston was a hockey town 40 years before N.C. ever saw their first Nascar race. Go back to that sport and accept your fate this series. Staal was whining on the bench. He knows what's up.
Line chages
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 15:59 — HockeydogI think Maurice will try and spread the scoring around more with some new lines tonight. Players who the team looks to to contribute on the score sheet at some point yet haven't are
Brind'Amour
Cole
Samsonov
Sammy would love to
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 15:16 — hockeyhickstick it to his old team. He was so beloved at the start of his Boston career and then shunned and hated at the end. he will certainly get some boos from the TD BankNorth crowd. He played some spirited hockey the last few games. But I aggree with Buff, Samsonov and Cole HAVE to get it going. We will need contributions from all players to win this series. I'll stick with my "Canes in 7" prediction, but it will take a total team effort.
I guess you were wrong. Again. Like all of your posts. Pretender
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 15:22 — JumptheSharkSammy was never booed last night. Why? Because we Bs fans loved him. When everything else was going wrong, Sammy was legging it out, scoring goals. But the team was horrific. Management made the wholesale change. Sammy fought through a dibilitating, nearly crippling back ailment that final year. We all knew what he was going through. He was never booed while he was there. So get your facts straight, or go back to nascar. Unfortunately for Sammy, he got a raw deal in Montreal (big surprise there. They also ran Ryder out of town), and never really found a good fit. He seems to be improving with the Canes, and I wish him nothing but future success. He's a good guy and he has great wheels. He just needs to start finding the twine again.
Add Cole to that list
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 13:52 — NCBuff_Caniacfor the Canes to advance both Cole and Samsonov will have to be much bigger than they were against the Devils and the guys who produced in that series will need to keep it up. The Canes need to steal one in Beantown like they did at the Rock, but not give it back here in Raleigh. I think we can do it, but everyone will need to step up to the plate.
GO CANES!!!
Samsonov if one of the keys to the Boston series
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 13:09 — abramsdougSamsonov is one of the keys to the Boston series in my view. He has skated well and defended well. If he can lift his play to the next level offensively, it be a tremendous help to the Hurricanes.