The Carolina Hurricanes seized control Wednesday of their Eastern Conference semifinals series with the Boston Bruins, taking Game 3 on a Jussi Jokinen — who else? — overtime winner. Now the Bruins face an uphill climb. Down 2-1 in the series and having to play another game at the RBC Center Friday before returning to Boston, the B's need to win Game 4 or face elimination.
The big story of Game 3, outside of Jokinen's heroics, is how Eric Staal is seemingly wearing down Norris Trophy candidate Zdeno Chara. After getting the better of the battle in Game 1, Chara looked tired and tentative for the second half of Wednesday's game, culminating in Sergei Samsonov making him look, well, foolish on what developed into the game-winning play.
Boston's efforts to bounce back in Game 4 will need to center on Chara improving his play not only defensively (he's now minus-3 in the series) but offensively, where he has been held pointless.
Canes Country: Jussi Strikes Again - Canes 3, Bruins 2 in OT
Stanley Cup Of Chowder: Bruins fall to Hurricanes in OT
News & Observer: Canes drop Bruins 3-2 in overtime • DeCock: Staal steps up again for Canes • Recchi, Jokinen have playoff reunion • Canes picked up winner in Jokinen
Boston Globe: Carolina blue • Storm warning is loud, clear • Samsonov assists on Jokinen's winner • Currently, Bruins' game is on the fritz • Hurricanes' Maurice has refused to fall into the same trap
Boston Herald: Bruins hit by storm front • Hunger lack eating at Bruins • Hurricanes dial up Erik Cole • Uneasy feeling sets in • Haunting presence is named Sergei Samsonov • Andrew Ference return in doubt for Game 4
Dallas Morning News: And the Conn Smythe Trophy goes ... (about ex-Star Jokinen)
CarolinaHurricanes.com: Jokinen plays the hero again
NHL.com: Jokinen's new line sparks 'Canes • Bruins-Hurricanes blog
The Hockey News: Need a hero? You must be Jokinen
TSN.ca: MacKenzie: Staal making a case for 2010 games
WRALSportsFan.com: Hurricanes stories, video and audio
850 The Buzz: Bob Ryan Unimpressed, RBC Center Is “Totally Overrated” • Jussi That? Canes Take 2-1 Series Lead
Puck Daddy: Wednesday's Three Stars • Redemption and domination: Pens, Canes take OT victories
USA Today: Jacques Demers: Playoffs too important for missed calls