Both teams seemed like they had gained advantages in the series and both lost them. First it was Boston, who dominated the Canes in game 1 , looked like they would cruise through this series just like they cruised through the regular season. However, Cam Ward and the Canes shutout the Bruins in Game 2 and won both games in Raleigh and seemed like they would roll in to Boston and take the series. Game 5 saw the Bruins do what they did all year long and they dominated the Hurricanes. Also, Game 5 brought Scott Walker's sucker punch to Aaron Ward , providing hatred of Walker in all of of Boston. The series turned in Boston's favor with a spectacular Game 6 by Tim Thomas on Carolina's home ice. The Bruins were now in the driver's seat as the series headed back to Beantown for Game 7. Unlike the Washington-Pittsburgh series the Bruins- Hurricanes game was a thriller; and guess who came up with the game winner in overtime- none other than the hated Scott Walker. Man, if I was him I'd skip celebrating and get the heck out of there. He was already hated enough before he eliminated the best Bruins team in a long time. Cam Ward improved to 4-0 in playoff game 7's and 6-0 in playoff series. Hopefully the Canes will continue their spectacular hockey against Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Carolina Hurricanes have a knack for making a good a hockey game. In these playoffs they've played to seven games series, both games won on the road. Against the Devils they scored twice in the final one and a half minutes of regulation to shock Marty Brodeur and Co. In that same series, perhaps the most spectacular ending I've ever seen took place as Jussi Jokinen scored with 0.2 seconds left. That just doesn't happen in hockey, especially not against a living legend like Brodeur. Then there's game 7 up in Boston and of coarse it goes into overtime. How funny it was that Scott Walker landed the final blow to the Bruins (by the way, Aaron Ward is the man he was on the Cup winning Canes team and showed the same kind of toughness he did in this series).
It brings back memories for any Hurricanes fan. How could we forget the Eric Staal's goal with three seconds left against that same legendary goaltender in 2006 when Jussi Jokinen lit the lamp as time expired? (Maybe Brodeur's legacy shoud be questioned a bit, the Canes in two playoff series scored goals with 0.2 and 3 seconds left and 2 goals in the final 1 and a half minutes. A great goaltender doesn't allow those things to happen.) How could we forget Eric Staal and Cory Stillman's overtime heroics when Scottie Walker scored in OT? The Canes are at it again, playing the most exciting hockey in the playoffs. There is no doubt they will show some of their magic against the Pens too.
As for my prediction, I think this series will be very entertaining. Eric Staal will face is little brother Jordan, Cam Ward faces another young goalie in Fluery, and maybe Scott Walker can do something to make the Penguins hate him (How 'bout punching Crosby?). In the end, I think the Canes will end up victorious. In seven games yet again. The Hurricanes have proved playing in hostile environments has not been a problem so far so I don't think they will have a problem in the Igloo either. Staal starts to play like a star again after not playing as well at the end of the Boston series. Hopefully Crosby and Malkin will put up some spectacular goals as well.
Nothing is more exciting than playoff hockey. Both of these teams are very exciting and have dynamite scorers. Will the underdog take down yet another giant or will Sid the Kid be triumphant and take his quest for the Cup one step further? Either way, this series should get some major attention.
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