Irbe, historically, has played his best against the best teams. That's what the Canes are counting on. No team will get out of the first round without good goaltending. Maurice also is confident that his team has a speed advantage it can parlay into attacking opportunities. With forwards like Sami Kapanen, Martin Gelinas, Jeff O'Neill and Shane Willis on the wings and veterans like Ron Francis and Rod Brind'Amour down the middle, the Canes think their top two lines can compete with the Devils' best at both ends of the ice.
Speed is an advantage and a liability on defense.
And New Jersey excels at that. I don't expect either team to run away with any games. They're a very capable team, and they've been battling for three weeks. They've had that intensity in their games, and it's going to be up to us to get that same intensity. Perhaps Carolina's biggest advantage is that nobody believes they can do it but themselves.