MONTREAL – Fifteen years ago, Eric Staal then a 21-year-old coming off a 100-point sophomore season, and the Carolina Hurricanes were up 2-0 on the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup final and cruising toward the franchise’s first championship since its World Hockey Association days.
The Hurricanes led 3-1 after Game 4, but the Oilers stormed back to win the next two games and forced a decisive Game 7, which Carolina won 3-1, Staal assisting on the insurance empty net goal late in the third.
Staal, now a fourth-liner with the surprising Montreal Canadiens, finds himself in the opposite situation in 2021, his team down two games to none to the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning, facing a must-win situation in Friday’s Game 3.
“I think for one, the series is still a long way from being over. Clearly I remember being that, being on the other side. Obviously you feel good with a 2-0 lead, but it’s a race to four wins. For us obviously Game 3 is a massive game and everybody knows that. We know that. We feel if we come with the same type of game and attitude we brought (Wednesday) night, we’ll be able to be on the right side of it and get some bounces and looks. We’ve got to get to four, so we’ll start with the next one,” Staal said, meeting with media via Zoom on Canada Day.
“Back in ’06 it got all the way to Game 7 and anybody knows anything can happen in Game 7.”
Staal, the most tenured Hab in his 17th National Hockey League season, and veterans Corey Perry, a Cup winner in 2007 with Anaheim, and Shea Weber have been steadying forces for the Canadiens in 2021.
It’s a role Staal, acquired mid-season from the woeful Buffalo Sabres, has played before and one he’s willing to continue with when called upon.
“I think there’s always moments in the playoffs where you as a group need to lean on some experience and lean on guys that have been around a while and been through certain situations. So no question it’s important. But it’s also important for each of us individually to prepare the right way to have the same mindset to come out with a win in Game 3,” Staal said.
“So really our focus is going back home in front of our fans back in Montreal and coming out with the W and trying to shift the momentum back to our side and go from there.”
The Thunder Bay native, playing on his fifth NHL team, said it’s a little disappointing the Quebec government is only allowing 3,500 fans inside the Bell Centre on Friday night, citing the atmosphere and energy of the building when it’s full.
They’ll make the best of it, he said.
“Unfortunately I think there will be a lot more people outside the building than inside, which will be a little bit different. But we know that they’re there. We know the support’s there and we know everybody is as excited as we are to be in this position in the final. The focus in the moment of Game 3 is huge and we’ll use that all that we can to have the energy to get the W.”
The puck drops at 8 p.m.
