NEWARK, N.J. — Eric Staal, still in his skates, stood head and shoulders above a crowd of media types this morning.
The Canes are hoping their star center stands tall, again, in Game 7.
Staal was at his best in Game 6, scoring twice and assisting on the first goal of the game as the Canes beat the Devils 4-0. He was the most dominant player on the ice and blended well with the newlook line with Ray Whitney and Chad LaRose.
Asked why the line was so good, Staal smiled, saying, "I think it's their quickness, for one. They can really get on the forecheck and they can really change sides. Movement with the puck. In those one-on-one battles, when they get in there they're quick with their sticks.
"We were on the puck. We were skating and skating as a team. That was the difference and we have to bring that again tonight."
Staal said the Canes will go into tonight's deciding game a confident group.
"Because I think we've played well," he said. "It's been a tight series, no question, but I think we're hitting our stride. I think we're playing better right now, the last game, and obviously the game we lost 1-0 we thought we played pretty good.
"But you can talk all you want. We've got to do something tonight."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Well Eric
Tue, 04/28/2009 - 22:06 — esteban1949did pull another "rabbit" out of the hat...and between Him,Jokenin,Ruutu..and # 30 Cam Ward...those 4 are the stars of the game for me anyway...
Go canes !!
Canes in a tight one..
Tue, 04/28/2009 - 18:23 — gmwannabeeI see a 2-1 win for us...just a hunch. I also wanted to say that I remember posting here when Maurice was rehired. I posted because of all the negative comments. My thoughts then were...stop whining and lets give him a chance to get us to the playoffs. I will say this about Maurice..he has given confidence to guys like Babchuk, Larose and even Seidenberg for that matter. Look where we are tonight. It used to be you had to win the southeast to even make the playoffs.
Great job Maurice and staff no matter what happens tonight.
Finally Staal speaks like
Tue, 04/28/2009 - 17:53 — aideanFinally Staal speaks like the young leader he is...take control Staal
Agreed
Tue, 04/28/2009 - 14:12 — GoShelfJust go out and play like they can, leave it all out on the table. They do that we come out on top.
I like Staal's last quote
Tue, 04/28/2009 - 12:32 — mokimanoI like Staal's last quote the best, that pretty much say's it all on tonight...no truer words have been spoken, talk is talk, walk the walk...Go Canes!