FINALS HISTORY
Oilers: Edmonton reached the Stanley Cup Finals six times in eight seasons during a dynastic run. They lost to the New York Islanders in the 1983 Finals, then defeated the Isles the next year to end New York’s run at four straight titles. From there, the Oilers defeated the Flyers in 1985 and 1987 and then Boston in 1988 and 1990. The last was especially significant because it came after Wayne Gretzky was traded to Los Angeles.
Hurricanes: Previously the Hartford Whalers, the relocated Hurricanes made the Cup Finals in 2002, losing to the Red Wings in five games.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Hurricanes C Rod Brind’Amour
The veteran captain is in his 17th season, and – like plus-35 teammates Bret Hedican and Glen Wesley – has yet to hoist the Stanley Cup. He had a strong season for the ‘Canes, getting 31 goals, and he has been terrific in the playoffs at both ends of the ice.
THE STORY LINE
The Oilers will have been off for more than a week by the time the puck drops tonight, and while the impact can be debated, the Western Conference playoffs featured teams – Colorado and Anaheim – that seemed to flatten after long layoffs. Maybe that won’t be an issue, or the ‘Canes’ bruising seven-game series against Buffalo will be draining. Major issues here could be how the games are called. If the Oilers again end up in the box more and the Hurricanes’ power play remains formidable, that could be decisive. The Oilers’ balance in the postseason has been impressive, and Michael Peca – Edmonton’s answer to Rod Brind’Amour, albeit with less scoring – is far more valuable at this point than in the regular season, and Chris Pronger has been an anchor.
THE MARKETS
Raleigh: The state capital named for Sir Walter Raleigh, the city is the anchor of a “Triangle” that also includes Durham and Chapel Hill and several other Wake County municipalities. The area has a population of about 1.2 million. With North Carolina State in Raleigh and North Carolina, Duke, Wake Forest among the universities in the area, the Triangle is a major higher-education, research and technology hot spot.
Edmonton: The Alberta capital (much to the chagrin of some Calgary residents), Edmonton’s metro population is about 1 million.
THE UNKNOWNS
Whether Cam Ward, the Hurricanes’ rookie goalie, will hold up as the stakes heighten, and whether the Oilers’ Dwayne Roloson’s strong play for most of the playoffs will continue. As tempting as it is to want to be aboard the Oilers’ bandwagon – it’s a gritty bunch that’s easy to root for – the feeling is that the ride ends here.
PREDICTION
Hurricanes in seven.
THE SCHEDULE | All games at 6 p.m.
Today | at Carolina, OLN
Wednesday | at Carolina, OLN Saturday | at Edmonton, KUSA-9
June 12 | at Edmonton, KUSA-9
June 14* | at Carolina, KUSA-9
June 17* | at Edmonton, KUSA-9
June 19* | at Carolina, KUSA-9
*-If necessary
LEADING PLAYOFF SCORERS
OILERS
Pos. Player G A Pts
C Shawn Horcoff 5 12 17
D Chris Pronger 4 13 17
LW Ryan Smyth 5 9 14
LW Sergei Samsonov 3 11 14
RW Fernando Pisani 9 3 12
HURRICANES
Pos. Player G A Pts
C Eric Staal 7 13 20
LW Cory Stillman 7 12 19
C Rod Brind’Amour 9 6 15
RW Justin Williams 5 9 14
C Matt Cullen 4 9 13
C Doug Weight 2 11 13
PLAYOFF GOALTENDERS
Oilers W-L GAA Save pct.
Dwayne Roloson 12-5 2.22 .931
Hurricanes W-L GAA Save pct.
Cam Ward 11-5 2.07 .919
Martin Gerber 1-1 3.53 .856
PLAYOFF POWER PLAY
Adv. PPG Pct. Rank*
Oilers 96 19 19.8 5
Hurricanes 85 22 25.9 1
PLAYOFF PENALTY KILLING
Tot. SH PPGA Pct. Rank
Oilers 114 13 88.6 1
Hurricanes 92 15 83.7 6
* – of 16 playoff teams
