The Carolina Hurricanes are not messing around. They smell blood in the water and they want their first Stanley Cup Championship right now. For game two, the Oilers decided to pass up Ty Covington and use Jussi Markkanen. It was a surprise to most as Covington was expected to get the nod. Many feel he is the better goalie out of the two. Markkanen wasted no time letting the puck cross the line.

Markkanen allowed five pucks to sail past and the Oilers had no chance. The main story at most media outlets will probably be that Markkanen was the wrong choice and his 5 allowed goals cost the Oilers, but the fact is, the Oilers did not score one single goal. They could have had the best goalie of all-time in net and if that goalie gives up a lone goal, they lose anyway.

The shutout props up Cam Ward as a great goalie, but the real story is the defense for the Hurricanes. They stopped some 24 shots on the way to the goal. That’s 24 shots Cam Ward did not have to defend against—you know some would have gotten through. The Hurricanes showed why they are going to by this year’s Stanley Cup Champions—outstanding defense and the ability to score.

Game 3 is at Edmonton on Saturday at 8:00 pm EST. Carolina is showing as a slight favorite at -105 at some books so they can be had at a great price. There are some online sports books still offering a series price as well. If you are not afraid to lay the cash, Carolina can be had for -400, which is not bad since you get a 2 game jump and you know how good they have been. If last night is an indicator, this series could be a sweep. We will have to wait and see how Edmonton does on their home ice.