Carolina Grabs 3-2 Lead and Puts the Cup on a Short Leash

Carolina has taken a 3-2 series lead, and that puts the pressure squarely where it belongs - on the team trying to avoid the season's edge. At this stage, every coach starts tightening the bench, every shift feels heavier, and every faceoff turns into a small referendum on nerve. The Hurricanes have put themselves on the cusp, which is exactly where contenders want to be and where everybody else starts checking the calendar.