#13: May 28: 2006- Cory Stillman Stuns the Sabres
If I had to put my vote toward which Carolina Hurricanes series I think is their best of all time, the 2006 Eastern Conference Final against Buffalo would be my choice. The Hurricanes and Sabres were similar in many ways. The series had been tight through four games, except for a 4-0 victory by the Canes in Game 4. They had alternated wins in the series, with Buffalo winning Games 1 and 3, while Carolina won Games 2 and 4. The Canes needed to buck the trend in Game 5. Early in the second period, it wasn’t looking promising as the Sabres held a 3-1 lead. Mark Recchi and Rod Brind’Amour drew the Hurricanes even in the second period, and after a scoreless third, the two teams would battle in overtime for the first time. In overtime, Cory Stillman picked up a rebound and beat Ryan Miller on the power play to give the Canes a 3-2 series lead. This goal would prove extremely important in the grand scheme of things.
#12: April 21, 2009- The Juice Barely Beats the Clock
This goal will go down as a very divisive one depending on which fanbase you ask. If you’re a Hurricanes fan, this is an epic buzzer-beater from Jussi Jokinen. If you’re a Devils fan, Martin Brodeur was interfered with, and the goal shouldn’t have counted. I’m 100% biased toward the Carolina Hurricanes, but this goal is good. The “controversy” undermines that the Canes led 3-0 and coughed up the lead, needing a miracle goal at the horn to win the game and avoid going down 3-1 in the series. The lasting image of Brodeur throwing his stick after they reviewed it will stay with me. I get where he’s coming from, but he is way outside his crease and initiates contact with Jokinen before the puck hits his skate and goes into the net. Without this goal, who knows what could’ve happened? With New Jersey’s momentum at that time, it’s possible they score in overtime and, assuming the result of Game 5 holds, win the series in five games, ending Carolina’s season before we get great moments like the Scott Walker goal.