For the first time, this summer, the Hurricanes have identified a first-line caliber winger to play with Eric Staal as their top priority.
One could argue a No. 1 defenseman is a more pressing need, but let's not quibble. It's taken them so long to acknowledge that Staal has been held back by sub-par linemates that one should never discount such progress.
As little success as the Hurricanes have had on the power play in the playoffs (1-for-10), the New Jersey Devils have been statistically worse (1-for-14).
“We’ve got to get our power play going,” said Devils’ forward Zach Parise. “There have been plenty of times in the last game where we had a chance to put them out of it, and we weren’t able to convert.”
The New Jersey Devils know what to expect tonight at the RBC Center. Noise, a lot of it. Excitement, a lot of it.
"You expect a great atmosphere," Devils forward Zach Parise said. "The last time they had a playoff game here they won the Cup."
The Hurricanes, who seemed unable to match the Devils’ intensity in Game 1, brought it to a crescendo in Game 2.
The Hurricanes’ spark showed in different ways, from the hit defenseman Tim Gleason put on Zach Parise to the words Ruutu and New Jersey center John Madden shared following an early penalty to Rod Brind’Amour.
