Round 3, Game 1- Carolina Hurricanes @ Penguins

The Hurricanes might not be able to boast the same offensive firepower that teams like the Washington Capitals or Philadelphia Flyers can, but they do offer a balanced attack in all three zones that has carried them to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Eric Staal is their biggets offensive gun. Ray Whitney had a fine season, and there's more talent like Erik Cole, Sergei Samsonov, Jussi Jokinen, Tuomo Ruutu, and Matt Cullen. The defense lacks a bonafide number one, but it's six men strong with no major weaknesses to speak of.

Cam Ward will be in goal against Marc-Andre Fleury. Ward is a great goalie all year, but he kicks it up a notch in the playoffs. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will need to be on their game if they want to beat Ward. Bill Guerin, Ruslan Fedotenko, Chris Kunitz, and Jordan Staal have to join in the scoring.

Sergei Gonchar practiced on Sunday and is expected to be in for Game 1.

Penguins-

Kunitz-Crosby-Guerin
Fedotenko-Malkin-Talbot
Cooke-J. Staal-Kennedy
Boucher-Adams-Satan

Orpik-Gonchar
Eaton-Letang
Gill-Scuderi

Fleury

Hurricanes-

Whitney-E. Staal-LaRose
Cole-Cullen-Ruutu
Samsonov-Jokinen-Eaves
Bayda-Brind'Amour-Walker

Pitkanen-Babchuk
Gleason-Corvo
Wallin-Seidenberg

Ward

GO PENS!