Joe Corvo News

If it seems like this Eastern Conference finals series is taking forever, well, that's because it is.

They are perfectly placed on an elevated patch of grass along the route players take through the parking lot to RBC Center.

If there was ever a time when the Carolina Hurricanes needed Eric Staal to come through in the clutch, it would be Tuesday night in Game 4 at RBC Center .

Carolina winger Erik Cole, injured late in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final on a hit by Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke, participated in the Hurricanes' morning skate Thursday, but injured teammate Tuomo Ruutu did not.

While much attention has been on Cam Ward during Carolina's march through the opening two rounds of the playoffs, Ward would be the first to admit that his defense has afforded him ample opportunity to succeed in the clutch.

The success of Pittsburgh centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in the Eastern Conference finals has made Hurricanes center Eric Staal hungry to match it.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will try to grab a 2-0 series lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals tonight, when they host the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 at Mellon Arena.

Nothing much has changed in the way Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Joni Pitkanen goes about his business while logging 26-plus minutes each game.

That's all the time it took for the visiting Carolina Hurricanes to watch their aspirations of stealing the opener of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference final disintegrate last night at the Mellon Arena.

His frenzied style sometimes gets criticized by goaltending aficionados, but when you get right down to it is the Bruins ' biggest calming influence.

In the end, there was only silence. A series played in buildings overflowing with noise, and plenty for the crowds to yell about, finished in a deafening roar of nothing.

Cam Ward's second playoff shutout in four games and a rare misplay by Zdeno Chara gave the Carolina Hurricanes a split of their first two games against the Boston Bruins on Sunday night.

He made a name for himself during the 2004-05 season, when the NHL was enduring a lockout.

Here's the online home of News & Observer sports columnist Luke DeCock. Check in for Luke's thoughts on the Carolina Hurricanes, the ACC, pro sports and whatever else catches his eye.

Among the franchise records Ron Francis set in his two stints with the Hartford Whalers and Carolina Hurricanes are many that may never be broken.

The Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes will both be shooting for a series edge tonight in Raleigh, as the 'Canes host Game 3 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals at RBC Center.

"As the overhead camera view is enhanced, both the red line and the white ice become more blurred and the net meshing becomes more of an obstruction," said Murphy.

Cam Ward's second playoff shutout in four games and a rare misplay by Zdeno Chara gave the Carolina Hurricanes a split of their first two games against the Boston Bruins on Sunday night.

These two teams in the Eastern Conference faced off on four separate occasions this season.

Sometimes, it's easy to forget Eric Staal is 24 years old and Cam Ward just 25. It's just that the two are such a big part of the Carolina Hurricanes, each an emerging star in the NHL, each a presence in their locker room and team fixtures.