Pittsburgh at Carolina

The Hurricanes played two exhausting seven-game series to get to the Conference Finals, survived, and moved on to face the Penguins. They seem to have hit the wall physically and emotionally, and facing a 3-0 series deficit could really just have done them in. They have been doubled-up by the Penguins on the scoreboard 16-8 in the series, and allowing 5.3 goals per game - hardly what you would consider playoff-caliber hockey. It is unusual to have a team in the Conference Finals that has a losing playoff record, but the Hurricanes enter here at 8-9. The Penguins have the offense in high-gear, and even though it is the playoffs where hard checking, and defense usually has their way, it hasn't stopped the Penguins from scoring three goals or more for nine-straight games. That includes 35 in their last seven, or netting the puck five times per game. The Penguins are 18-5 in their last 23 as a playoff favorite, while the Hurricanes stand just 6-18 in their last 24 as a dog of +110 to +150. The Penguins have broken the Hurricanes’ spirit, and this series ends tonight. The Penguins get the call.