2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs Blog - Conference Finals

Carolina forward Ryan Bayda was fined $2,500 US but was not suspended for cross-checking Pittsburgh defenceman Kris Letang in the mouth with 79 seconds left in the Penguins’ 7-4 victory in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final Thursday.

Bayda had received a match penalty for intent to injure, which carries an automatic suspension, but that was waived following a review by league officials Friday, so he is eligible to dress for Game 3 Saturday evening at the RBC Center.

Before word of Bayda’s fine began to circulate, Letang declined to say if he believed the cross-check was suspension-worthy.

“I’m not the guy who gives suspensions,” Letang said. “There are people who are hired for that.”

Bayda’s cross-check was part of a skirmish that included fights featuring Letang and Pittsburgh right-winger Miroslav Satan — the latter dropping the gloves for just the second time in his career but acquitting himself surprisingly well against Hurricanes winger Patrick Eaves.

“Miroslav did something uncharacteristic,” Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma said. “I know that he certainly gained a bit of respect from our locker room from the way he handled himself.”

That might be understating it.

“I think it sends a big message that we're all going to do whatever it takes,” Pittsburgh defenceman Hal Gill said. “Not that we want Miro to fight, but you're seeing things you don't see in the regular season.”

Ruutu questionable

Neither team held a full practice Friday. The Hurricanes opted for a team meeting, while Pittsburgh had an optional workout before flying to Raleigh in the afternoon.

Sixteen players, including all five members of the Penguins’ playoff taxi squad, went on the ice, but that total included only a handful of regulars. Among them were wingers Tyler Kennedy and Craig Adams and defencemen Philippe Boucher and Gill.

Hurricanes forward Tuomo Ruutu, who sat out Game 2 because of what reportedly is an ankle injury, has not been ruled out of Game 3. The morning skate could offer some insight on his chances of playing.

“(Saturday) morning, we'll put him on the ice and see how he feels,” Carolina coach Paul Maurice said.

Odds don't favour Carolina

The Hurricanes, trailing 2-0 in the series, are counting on victories at the RBC Center in Games 3 and 4 to get them back on even footing with Pittsburgh.

“It’s our opportunity now,” Carolina defenceman Tim Gleason said. “We have home ice, and we have to win those games.”

If the Hurricanes can do that, it will go a long way toward countering some daunting odds they face in the hours leading up to Game 3. Of the 229 teams that have faced a 2-0 deficit in Stanley Cup history, only 22 have rallied to win the series.

That total includes Pittsburgh’s second-round victory against the Capitals, so the Penguins have first-hand knowledge that a 2-0 advantage is not insurmountable.

What’s more, they have seen enough of the Hurricanes to know that tenacity is one of their most striking qualities, that Carolina will compete fiercely as long as the series is on.

“They’re a great team,” Pittsburgh forward Max Talbot said. “They battle hard and always keep coming. I’m sure they’re going to get a second wind.”

Hurricanes captain Rod Brind’Amour seems to be anticipating that.

“We're getting pretty close (to having their backs against the wall) here,” he said. “We're going to have to fight back. We'll have to put up our best effort, and leave it out there. It’s definitely not a feeling of, ‘We're out of it,’or anything like that.

“We fought back all year. Whenever we've had to come up with the big game we have and, obviously, this is that time again.”

Sparkplug Crosby nears record

Pittsburgh centre Sidney Crosby is on the cusp of setting an NHL playoff record. He has scored the first goal in six of the Penguins’ first 15 games, tying the mark set by Bobby Hull in 1962 and matched by Edmonton’s Fernando Pisani three years ago.

“I had no idea it was really kept track of,” Crosby said. “But everyone's got crazy stats now. So I'll take it, for sure.”

Hurricanes need more from Ward

The Penguins have put nine pucks past Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward during the first two games, which has led to some criticism of Ward. And while Maurice believes that the rest of his club will have to upgrade its defensive work, he isn’t shy about saying that he expects Ward to elevate his performance.

“I think the world of Cam,” the coach said. “I think this guy's extra-special. So I never really had a problem putting pressure on him to be that (great), or worried about taking the pressure off him (by) saying, ‘Hey, we've just got to do better.’

“Granted, we do, but we also have very high expectations. He's just fantastic.”

Fleury turns funnyman

Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has made some memorable saves in recent weeks — there was a toe save on Philadelphia’s Jeff Carter that made the Penguins’ overtime victory in Game 2 of the opening round possible, and his well-publicized denial of Alex Ovechkin on a breakaway three minutes into Game 7 in Round 2 — but his most enduring contribution to these playoffs might have been a quote.

When asked what he would do to try to neutralize Pittsburgh center Evgeni Malkin if they were on opposing teams, Fleury responded: “I’d throw my stick like a tomahawk. Injure him really good.”

Fleury, it should be noted, was laughing as it said that. Opponents actually charged with trying to limit the damage Malkin does don’t do that much.

Staal vs. Staal

Centre Eric Staal, Carolina’s most dynamic offensive player, has been limited to just one assist during the first two games, and recognizes the link between his productivity and the Hurricanes’ prospects for success.

“You want to be counted on offensively,” he said. “You know, that's where I'm at with this team. Obviously, it hasn't happened for me in the first two games. It's been close a few times. Just got to stay with it, stay battling.”

And do much of that battling against his younger brother, Jordan, who declined a chance to duck their all-in-the-family confrontation.

“I asked Jordan before this series if he wanted to play against his brother, and he was all up for it,” Bylsma said. “He knew his responsibility in the first two series was usually the other team's top line, and he wanted that again in this series.”