
The Carolina Hurricanes are backed into a corner, staring down the barrel of a 3-0 deficit in yet another Eastern Conference Final.
Tonight in Game 4 against the Florida Panthers, it's do or die.
Here's what head coach Rod Brind'Amour and a few players have to say about the mindset, approach and preparation for Game 4.
On sticking with the game plan: You understand why it's happening. We have a plan, they have their plan and it's just that they're executing it better and they're sticking with it. For some reason, we're in a 1-1 game going into the third, probably not the time to try a drop pass in the neutral zone. It's not there. And I get it because we have high-end guys, but it's just not there. I don't think they're making that. I guarantee they wouldn't. Because it's probably not beneficial. That's where. We're down three and we're trying to score three goals in one shift. It's not gonna happen. We have to understand that they're not giving us much, so if we're in a 1-1 game, that's a win. We'll get a chance here or there, maybe you'll get a power play you can capitalize on, but when you try to open it up and do too much, you're probably not gonna have success.
On guys being on different pages: We're trying to do different things at times. It's okay if you're not getting anything. You have to wait for your opportunities and not lose patience with our game. I think that's been part of what's happening. There's more to it, but that's part of it.
On the difficulty of winning a Cup: Every step along the way gets a little harder and that's why this trophy is so hard to win and so special. You know how tough it is to get to. We understand that and it's something we've talked about all playoffs.
On the importance of getting out to a lead: Getting behind has just been a killer for us because it feeds right into what they do very, very well.
On the game: We have to be ready for whatever. Even if we're down, we can't change our mindset.
On what it takes to win: I think the biggest thing is just to believe in ourselves. You can get into situations and kind of get down or really just mail it in, but I think with this group, there's none of that happening. I think we're all excited for the challenge and the opportunity to maybe do something not many teams have done before and comeback, but it all starts with one and creating a little bit of momentum.
On preparing for the game: We just have to rely on each other and believe in yourself too. I know for a fact that everyone in there is going to give 110% effort tonight and into the next games as well. We know that if we can get a win tonight and create some confidence, it's going to be huge for us. We're all excited for tonight.
On the pressure on himself to score: Of course you put pressure, on yourself, but you also have to try and stay positive. I know it hasn't gone our way, but I'm trying to work out there. You make mistakes, but it's not that I'm not trying to do the right things and try to get shots and all that stuff. I know I'm trying, it just hasn't happened.
On his mindset heading into Game 4: I hate this time right now, but today's a new day. Only good vibes right now and trying to think positively. Just try to go out there and have the best game you can.
We know it's our last step. We're standing in a corner right now and we just have to get out from there and that's what we're going to try to do.
We're just going to go out there and not even think about being down 3-0. Just try to stay positive and try to play our game. The first two periods, we were so close and then the third period was just a hard period for us, but for two periods we were close. Just have to go day by day and see what will happen.
On learning what it takes to win: To be honest, we've been losing for seven years. It's kind of frustrating, but to win it takes everything. It's going to be so hard. It's always going to be hard. We know it and we've been here for seven years. It doesn't get easier. Every year I actually feel like it gets harder and harder.
You want it to be hard otherwise it's not the Stanley Cup.
'You Want It To Be Hard': Andrei Svechnikov Remaining Positive Despite Pressure Of Moment
It's no secret that this has been a tough series for Andrei Svechnikov.
On what it will take for everyone to get on the same page: You have to be comfortable just being in tight games. You're trying to push to win the game and maybe you make a play you're trying to score on instead of just putting it in and go wearing them down. Guys maybe take a chance here or there and it ends up in your net. You have to just be comfortable playing that 1-1 or 0-0 game. Just trust the process.
On Game 4: We're going to give our best. Whenever we've been up in a series on a team and have a chance to eliminate them, it's always the hardest game. So that's what we're going to put forward. I think that we have a lot of belief in our room, honestly."
On what they can build off of: What happened in the third period just snowballed, but for a good portion of the game there, we were playing how we wanted to and we had guys in our lineup, young guys that were really contributing and playing well.
We have to be better, have to find ways to just to play better, to create, to get into their zone and play things the right way. There's no point in feeling sorry for yourself. You just have to man up and play better. That's it.
Every shift is going to be for our season.
On taking things one game at a time: That's how you do it either way. It doesn't matter if you're on one side or the other, you try to look at it one game at a time.
On building momentum: You've seen it in the past, you just have to get the next game. Obviously it hasn't been good enough. We're playing against a really good team who doesn't beat themselves, but there are a lot of times we're doing what we need to do, we just need to do it for longer and believe in that.
For us, it's about building that momentum within our game. Getting pucks out and forechecking as a unit. When we're forechecking as a five-man unit, that's what makes us successful as a team.
On the team's efforts so far: It's not been good enough. At the end of the day, you don't get these chances very often to be within the last four teams. We just have to win the next one.
On the mindset heading into Game 4: I think as a team, you just have to let things go. At the end of the day, we know we're a good team. We're one of four right now. We know it hasn't been good enough for us, obviously. But if you have that mindset, then the countdown is on. I think you can't have it. Hockey is a game of reactions, a game of feelings. Yes there's all the other things like the gameplan and everything, but you also have to be feeling good. You have to get rid of the nerves, get rid of all the tightness in you. We have to have our best game. Just come out, play our game. We know we can be tough to handle if we're all playing together.
On what it will take to avoid the sweep: Not lose a fourth.
Be sure to check out the Carolina Hurricanes 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Hub for all postseason stories!
Stay updated with the most interesting Carolina Hurricanes stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.