The Carolina Hurricanes players and front office continue their exit interviews today. The general vibe seems to be that the team would like the same group back next season, and the players who have the option to leave want to stay. 

Right now everyone is saying all the right things. But as they say, money talks. But players like Jussi Jokinen, who got his groove back in Raleigh playing with two fellow Finns, and Erik Cole, who returned to the team that drafted him after less than a season in Edmonton, would likely look beyond the dollar signs to stay with the Canes.

Also, Peter Laviolette is pursuing the Minnesota Wild's coaching vacancy, telling the Star-Tribune:

"It's a terrific, prime position for whoever gets the opportunity there, but nothing at this point officially has happened yet. I'm definitely interested in coaching again. Minnesota is one of the premier jobs out there, so if there was a possibility, it's certainly something I'd like to explore."

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The Carolina Hurricanes season didn't end the way the team or its fans wanted it to, but looking back everyone will remember the team's battle to return to the postseason, a miraculous Game 7 win at New Jersey, and Scott Walker's redeeming overtime winner in the series-deciding game in Beantown, not the disappointing finish to an otherwise surprising and inspiring season.

Best of luck to the Pittsburgh Penguins in their second consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Finals.

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The Carolina Hurricanes will look to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins and extend the Eastern Conference Finals series tonight at the RBC Center. The reasons for the Pens' 3-0 series lead are many, but the biggest hurdle will be regaining their confidence early in Game 4. 

Also, be sure to read the N&O's article on 10-year-old anthem singer Katherine Fritsch.

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Too much Geno + too much Sid = 3-0 hole.

That's where the Carolina Hurricanes sit right now, waiting for a chance at a shred of redemption in Tuesday's Game 4 at the RBC Center. Simply put, the Pittsburgh Penguins have dominated in every facet of the game this series. That doesn't mean the Canes haven't had their opportunities to seize control of each game, but they are yet to have a moment where one could sense a momentum shift.

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What's one way to silence Sidney Crosby? Let Evgeni Malkin dominate. And so it was in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. "Geno" accounted for four points, including a hat trick, en route to a 7-4 Penguins win and a 2-0 series lead.

The good news? This is how it's supposed to go down. If the Hurricanes had won Game 2, everyone would be talking about them seizing control of the series and taking home ice advantage. Instead, Pittsburgh held serve and now the teams head back to the RBC Center, where Carolina will have the final change and the home crowd behind them.

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Finally. It's nearly time for Game 2. The Hurricanes will look to bounce back and earn a split in their Eastern Conference Finals series with the Penguins. But they may have to do so without Erik Cole and Tuomo Ruutu.

The good news is Cole participated in the morning skate and could be available. Ruutu is looking less likely.

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Normally, it'd be game day, but the NHL's wonky postseason schedule has the Canes and Pens taking two days off before resuming the Eastern Conference Finals. With a sloppy Game 1 over, the talk has been about officiating and potential bias instead of matchups and momentum.

Surely all parties are hoping for a more consistent effort from the men in black and white Thursday, but for today the talk will still be about them, along with a couple of injuries.

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Losing Game 1 of a playoff series is nothing new to the Carolina Hurricanes. Losing their two power forwards is. The Canes found themselves down two wingers last night when both Tuomo Ruutu and Erik Cole were injured on leg-to-leg hits. Their status should be updated today. 

With two days off until Thursday's Game 2, Carolina can look back to last night's game and analyze their mistakes and successes and plan adjustments. The extra day off will give Ruutu, Cole and Pens d-man Sergei Gonchar a chance to rest up.

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