The Canes have two players who have game-winning goals in a Game 7 of the playoffs, both coming in the 2006 run to the Stanley Cup.

Team captain Rod Brind'Amour had the winner against the Buffalo Sabres in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals, and defenseman Frantisek Kaberle scored the biggest goal in franchise history: the winner in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals against the Edmonton Oilers.

"It's exciting to be in this position again," Kaberle said today before the team flight to New Jersey.

The Canes were a buoyant group today as they boarded their charter flight at RDU, and why not?

They're making the trip they hoped to be making -- to Newark, for Game 7 of their playoff series against the Devils. They're coming off a 4-0 win Sunday in Game 6 at the RBC Center, their most complete victory of the series.

"Obviously it's exciting," forward Tuomo Ruutu said. "It was a big game for us yesterday.

"It's almost like it's a six-period thing and we're in the middle of the game and it's 0-0. Hopefully we can finish it off. But both teams are going to come hard and it will be who wants it more."

Eric Staal will center a line tonight with Ray Whitney and Chad LaRose, a change Canes coach Paul Maurice made during Game 5 against the Devils.

Or will he? Maybe Staal will be back with Tuomo Ruutu and Erik Cole. Maurice knows but he's not saying.

Talk to Staal and he says he doesn't know and that it would not change the Canes' offensive strategy.

"I'm not sure what 'Mo' has planned," he said after the morning skate. "I think as a team and everybody individually, we're just going to play hard no matter who you're out there with, and who's where and what's what."

For the Hurricanes, tonight's elimination game — their season in the balance — against the Devils may be both nerve-wracking and fun, if that's possible.

"I kind of like this situation," forward Tuomo Ruutu said. "You can put everything on the line and you really don't have to worry about the next game, because if you don't play well enough there's not going to be a next game. You play this game like it's your last game almost."

Center Eric Staal used the "backs-against-the-wall" line, like most of his teammates, but said he was more excited than nervous.

Canes forward Sergei Samsonov, who missed Game 5 with a lower-body injury, was not on the ice for today's morning skate but could play tonight Canes coach Paul Maurice said.

"We're hopeful he can play tonight," Maurice said. "He skated (individually) early this morning and felt pretty good."

It's easy to make a one-line summation of Game 5:

Martin Brodeur had 44 saves, Cam Ward had 41, David Clarkson scored the only goal and New Jersey took a 1-0 victory.

While much of the postgame attention was on Brodeur and his 23rd career playoff shutout, Devils coach Brent Sutter said today, "Let's give Cam Ward some credit. He's an outstanding goaltender.

"The goaltenders are standing tall. Both teams are getting it this series."

Staff photo by Chris Seward

NEWARK, N.J. — It wasn't for lack of shots. The Canes fired shot after shot at Martin Brodeur in the third period but couldn't get past the Devils' goaltender.

The 1-0 loss sends the series back to Raleigh with the Devils holding a 3-2 lead.