CBC-Sports

Hurricanes don’t expect letdown

May 9, 2009 06:39 PM | Posted by   CBC Sports Staff  

With his team needing only one win in the next three games, Carolina Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice was asked about a possible dip in play Monday night on road ice.

"I certainly wouldn't expect it," said Maurice. "I certainly didn't see it in their eyes or in their concentration. I would suggest that the percentages of a 3-1 [series] are usually [with] the higher seeded team. That may have something to do with the numbers. Maybe those teams realize or feel they can turn it on or off. We can't. We're in a little different boat than other teams."

Strongman Staal atop franchise

By scoring two goals in Game 4, Eric Staal passed Hall of Famer and current assistant coach Ron Francis to become the organization's all-time leading scorer. Staal now has 40 points (18 goals, 22 assists) in 36 games, averaging better than a point per outing (1.11 ppg). Staal also passed Rod Brind'Amour and Kevin Dineen to become the franchise's top playoff goal scorer.

"He's growing as he becomes a physically more powerful player," said Maurice. "I do think the changes in the rules of the game have helped a player like him. Everybody said it would benefit the small guy. But it really benefits the big man, because you can't really stop a big guy sometimes."

Scary possibility: the 24-year-old Staal becomes even better.

"The big question is how good is he going to be when he hits his prime, because he's still growing," Maurice said. "He's been impressive to watch."

Comeback attempt

Just over a year ago, the Bruins trailed the Canadiens in the first round, 3-1. They claimed a 5-1 win at the Bell Centre in Game 5, and scored a 5-4 victory at home to make it to a seventh game. The Bruins lost the deciding match, 5-0.

In 2003-04, the Bruins held a 3-1 first-round lead on the Canadiens, who were then coached by current Boston boss Claude Julien. Montreal recorded a 5-1 road win in Game 5, beat the Bruins by a 5-2 margin at the Bell Centre in Game 6, and advanced to the second round by registering a 2-0 victory in Game 7 in Boston.

"We're going home," said Marc Savard. "We've got to be ready to a man here. We've got to see who's got character here. It's going to be a challenge. But we've got to want to make a trip back [to Raleigh, N.C.]. We all know that."

Practice makes perfect?

While the Hurricanes stayed off the ice Saturday, the Bruins skated at their practice facility. Andrew Ference (lower-body injury) and Mark Recchi (undisclosed) were the only Bruins not to skate. Recchi was banged up at an undetermined point of Friday night’s 4-1 loss.

Recchi is questionable for Game 5 at TD Banknorth Garden, while Ference is doubtful. If Recchi is unable to play, Shawn Thornton, a healthy scratch in Game 4, would be back in the lineup.

Shane Hnidy, who made his series debut in Game 4, would be back in uniform Monday if Ference is unavailable. Ryan Bayda, who missed Game 4 because he was sick, is considered day-to-day.

Tim Conboy skated in Bayda's spot on the fourth line alongside Brind'Amour and Patrick Eaves on Friday.

No local TV for either team

Versus will carry Game 5, meaning NESN (Bruins) and FSCarolinas (Hurricanes) will not have the broadcasts at the Garden Monday. Carolina play-by-play announcer John Forslund and Boston analyst Andy Brickley will be the Versus broadcast team for Game 5.

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