It has been challenged, and it responded. The Canes came out the opening game with no serious injuries. Winger Martin Gelinas did take a slap shot in the back of his right leg Friday, but Gelinas was able to shake it off. I don't think Marty was very happy about it, though. That's no coincidence, Maurice said.
Expansion teams come into our league and pay phenomenal attention to detail.
They know it's their only chance to win. That's their edge. Josef Vasicek became the franchise's first rookie to score in his first playoff game since Todd Krygier in 1990 against the Boston Bruins. Ron Francis assisted on Krygier's goal. The Canes chose to return to Raleigh for two days rather than stay and practice in New Jersey.