The play is Hurricanes at home vs. the Flyers.
The two teams played a tight one in Philly last week that came down to the final minutes. But tonight the game is in Carolina, and the 'Canes have a lot going in their favor.
It's their first home game in two weeks after a tough stretch on the road. Which means they'd regularly be amped up. But it's also a Friday night game (they never play on Fridays at home) so the fans will be more excited than usual. And to top that off, they are retiring Rod Brind'amour's jersey before the game. They crowd is going to be absolutely JACKED. And this team feeds off it's fans like no team I've ever seen. It's the only explanation for the crazy run to the Conference Finals two years ago.
Current Flyers coach Laviolette was the 'Canes coach in '06 when they won the Cup. Add to that Brind'amour playing the first half of his career in Philly and the intensity on the Canes bench is going to be through the roof.
Meanwhile Philly will be playing their third straight road game, and third in four nights. They won both, but didn't look great, eeking out a shoot-out win over TB, and almost blowing a 3 goal lead in the third period before barely holding off Florida. Even if they had the gas in the tank for this game, they won't be able to match Carolina's spirit. Ride the 'Canes.