It was only a 85-second sequence in a 60-minute game, but in a way it encapsulated the Canes' season.

With 1:35 left in the second period Wednesday in Anaheim, the Canes led the Ducks 1-0 as Jussi Jokinen controlled the puck near the offensive blue line and passed to an open Matt Cullen in the slot. The referee ruled offside. Jokinen was visibly angry when the whistle blew, believing the play was onside.

"The games are so tight and calls like that can be the difference in the game," Jokinen said today.

What followed was a faceoff, then another, then a Canes penalty, then a Ducks power-play goal, followed by a missed point-blank shot by the Canes's Eric Staal. All after the Jokinen call.

Canes players, coaches, and staff pose with their dads and family members
on the ice at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday morning. CHIP ALEXANDER - chip.alexander@newsobserver.com

MONTREAL -- The Hurricanes don't have Eric Staal, Cam Ward, Scott Walker and Joni Pitkanen with them for tonight's game against the Canadiens.

But a lot of the players brought their fathers along. It's the team's annual "Fathers Trip," which means rooming together, putting up with each other's snoring and having a lot of laughs.

"It's like old times. It was like pee-wee hockey days all over again," Canes forward Matt Cullen said. "A lot of fun."

Canes winger Sergei Samsonov has been a part of more than a few opening nights in the NHL, but says it never gets old.

"It's always special," he said today in the Carolina locker room. "You're looking forward to the season and there's a little bit of nervousness, but if you're not nervous you're not excited enough.

"I think we've got a real good feeling in this locker room. It's about time the real games start."

The Hurricanes have signed forward Jussi Jokinen to a two-year contract.

Jokinen, a restricted free agent, will receive $1.5 million next season and $1.9 million in the 2010-11 season.

"Jussi was a good addition to our team last season, and he really stepped into his role in the playoffs," general manager Jim Rutherford said. “His ability to contribute on the power play and penalty kill, and his versatility at different forward positions makes him a valuable player.”

Jokinen came to the Canes from the Tampa Bay Lightning in an early February deal. He was one of Carolina's biggest stars of the postseason with seven goals and four assists, scoring three game-winners.

Jokinen scored one of the most memorable playoff goals in franchise and NHL history — the game-winner against the New Jersey Devils with two-tenths of a seconds remaining.

Staff video by Chris Seward

BOSTON — The Canes' Scott Walker and Jussi Jokinen aren't expecting a warm reception tonight at TD Banknorth Garden by Bruins fans.

Not a problem, they say.

"I don't know," Walker said today, smiling. "Really, the game is played between the glass and the boards. I'm not worried about that. It's Game 7."

Canes forward Jussi Jokinen says he has no doubt as to how the Bruins, trailing 2-1 in the series, will play tonight.

"Obviously it's a huge game for both teams," he said today after the morning skate. "They have lost two in a row, and when's the last time they lost two in a row?

"I'm sure they're angry. They're going to be ready. It's going to be a war."

But Canes coach Paul Maurice isn't so sure of how Game 4 will begin or unfold.

What a year it has been for Jussi Jokinen, who now has two game-winning goals in the playoffs after his overtime winner Wednesday night in Game 3 against the Bruins.

For Jokinen, the season began with the Tampa Bay Lightning, under a new coach, Barry Melrose. But Melrose was fired and Jokinen fell out of favor with interim coach Rick Tocchet.

"I was waived twice and no one was willing to pick me up," he said.

Jussi Jokinen scored one goal in 25 games with the Canes during the regular season. His one-timer with 1:20 left to tie Game 7 against New Jersey on Tuesday was his third of the playoffs.

Canes coach Paul Maurice understands Jokinen's value to the team and said the late-season pickup is not a flash in the pan.

"This guy came in and was huge part of us getting to the playoffs," Maurice said.