2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs Blog - Conference Quarter-finals

Carolina Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice was asked what he would do to motivate his players after losing Game 1 of their playoff series to the New Jersey Devils.

"We just absolutely abuse them in the room and call them names," Maurice Friday morning said with a straight face. "That always works."

The Hurricanes had a relaxed morning skate with everyone on the ice, including captain Rod Brind'Amour.

Although there will likely be no personnel changes, Maurice said he would shift some players in Game 2 Friday night.

"I'll move some guys around a little bit," he said. "We probably didn't have anybody individually stand out any worse than anyone else (in Game 1). We'll move guys around and make sure we have some balance on the bottom two lines."

Maurice looked back at losing Game 1.

"I don't think we look at Game 1 as being the essence of our whole season," he said. "I don't think after playing 83 games the term is panic and you change a lot of things."

What changes will he make?

"Come to the warmup," he said with a smile. "I can't give you everything."

Tim Conboy and Dwight Helminen remained on the ice after everyone. Conboy, who played Game 1, looks like a scratch.

ERIC STAAL AND HURRICANES EXPECT A LONG SERIES

There was no look of concern on Eric Staal's face. The Carolina Hurricanes, he promised, will bounce back against the Devils in Game 2.

"You've got to remember, it's only 1-0," Staal said after the morning skate in Newark, N.J. "We're expecting this to be a long series. It wasn't our best game, the first one, but we need to forget about it and show a better game. We need to get on the attack and make it tough on Brodeur."

There is, Staal said, no panic.

"I think we have a good enough leadership group in this room that knows how to respond and how to play," he said. "We played some big games down the stretch and there was a lot of pressure on us, and we played well. That's when we're at our best, when we're pushed and have to respond.

"0Hopefully we can bring that tonight."

The Devils, particularly Jay Pandolfo and John Madden, did a good job shutting Staal down in Game 1.

"That's their game. They've played that way forever," Staal said. "It's just a matter of staying confident in your game, not getting frustrated and going after them. They can be scored on."

Coach Paul Maurice said of Staal: "He's the alpha male offensively."

DEVILS COACH BRENT SUTTER KEEPING A DISTANCE FROM SON BRANDON

When Brent Sutter coached against his son, Brandon, in a regular season game earlier this season, he was nervous and said he didn't enjoy it at all.

Now that the Devils and Hurricanes are battling in the playoffs, father and son have had little contact. Brandon is among Carolina's extra minor league call-ups.

"Very minimal," Brent said of their contact so far. "It's a situation where I don't want to put him in an awkward situation and he probably doesn't want to do the same with me. During the winter I don't ask about his team because it's none of my business.

"He's still my son, but we know the stakes here. He's a Carolina Hurricane and I'm coach of the New Jersey Devils."

Does it help that Brandon isn't playing?

"Does I t help at all? I guess as a dad I wish he was playing," Brent said. "This is pro sports and decisions are made. Is it easy for me to have him not playing? No, I wish he was playing. As coach of the opposing team, that's a pretty good player not playing. We're OK with that, too."

JOHNNY ODUYA WILL PLAY FOR DEVILS

Defenceman Johnny Oduya was among those players who took part in the Devils' optional morning skate at the Prudential Center Friday and he will be in the lineup for Game 2.

It was never a question.

"No. Not in my mind," Oduya said. "I feel good."

Brent Sutter confirmed that Oduya will play.

What do the Devils have to do in Game 2?

"I think it's important for us to be disciplined early in the game so we don't give them any life," goalie Martin Brodeur said.

Brodeur was among seven players who went to the movies Thursday night. The others were Mike Mottau, Rod Pelley, Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond, Jay Leach, Paul Martin and Andy Greene.

Mottau picked up the tab. Brodeur and Leach saw Observe and Report. The others saw I Love You Man.