Just because they're down, don't count the Hurricanes out.
Since moving to Raleigh, the franchise has thrived when falling behind 2-1 in the postseason, losing only one out of four series. Here's a closer look:
2002 Conference Semifinals vs. Montreal
The Hurricanes won Game 1, 2-0, before dropping the second and third games to the Canadiens (the third in overtime). But Game 4 turned out to be one for the ages, as Carolina stormed back from a 3-0 third-period deficit to win 4-3 in overtime on a Niclas Wallin goal. Surely you all remember the The Molson Miracle.
The Canes went on to blow the Habs out of the water in Game 5 (5-1) and Game 6 (8-2) to take the series.
2002 Stanley Cup Finals vs. Detroit
This is the one blemish on the Canes' record. After winning Game 1 in dramatic fashion on a Ron Francis overtime goal, Carolina lost Game 2 at Joe Louis Arena and suffered a crushing triple-overtime defeat on home ice in Game 3, courtesy Igor Larionov. The Hurricanes never recovered, getting shut out in Game 4, 3-0, and dropping the series clincher 3-1 in Detroit.
2006 Conference Semifinals vs. Montreal
Again, the Canadiens were the victim, but the turning point was in Game 3, not Game 4. The Habs took the series' first two games against the favored Hurricanes, returning to Montreal for Game 3. With Cam Ward in net, Carolina bounced back from their double-overtime loss from the previous game to win in the first extra session, 2-1, on an Eric Staal goal. Just like in 2002, the Canes never looked back, taking the next three — all one-goal games — to win the series. Much like this current series against New Jersey, the Canadiens lost their captain, Saku Koivu, on an accidental high stick by Justin Williams in Game 3. His injury kept him out of the remainder of the series. Devils captain Jamie Langenbrunner missed Game 3 and is out for Game 4 — and possibly more — with a lower body injury.
2006 Conference Finals vs. Buffalo
The series against the Sabres was back and forth, with Buffalo taking Game 1 at the RBC Center and Carolina earning the split with a 4-3 win in Game 2. The Sabres took advantage of the home ice they earned in Raleigh, winning Game 3, 4-3. For the fourth game, coach Peter Laviolette started Martin Gerber, who had relieved Ward in Game 3, and it paid off. The Swiss netminder pitched a 4-0 shutout to knot up the series at two games apiece. The Hurricanes and Sabres won Games 5 and 6, respectively, in overtime. Ward returned between the pipes in the middle of Game 5 at the RBC Center, which was won on a Cory Stillman OT goal, while Daniel Briere won Game 6 in Buffalo 4:22 into the extra session. But it would be Carolina advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals via a 4-2 win in Game 7.