EDMONTON -- Carolina coach Peter Laviolette appeared to be whistling past the graveyard with Sunday's spirited defense of superstar-in-waiting Eric Staal.

That is until Staal had a dominant game Monday night in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, assisting on both goals in a 2-1 victory that gave Carolina a commanding three-games-to-one edge in the best-of-seven series. Carolina can claim the Stanley Cup Wednesday night in Game 5 at Raleigh's RBC Center. Perhaps then, Laviolette can explore a second career as a fortune teller after nailing Staal's renaissance right on the head.

Staal, 21, entered the Stanley Cup Final as the top scorer in the playoffs, averaging better than a point per game after putting up a phenomenal 100-point regular season. But, it appeared he had hit the wall in the Final, managing just two assists in the first three contests. He was also on a five-game run without a goal, dating back to Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Schedule / Links:   Gm. 1: CAR 5, EDM 4 | Photos Gm. 2: CAR 5, EDM 0 | Photos Gm. 3: EDM 2, CAR 1 | Photos Gm. 4: CAR 2, EDM 1 | Photos Gm. 5: June 14, 8:00 p.m. ET at Carolina (NBC, CBC, RDS) *Gm. 6: June 17, 8:00 p.m. ET at Edmonton (NBC, CBC, RDS) *Gm. 7: June 19, 8:00 p.m. ET at Carolina (NBC, CBC, RDS)   *if necessary 'Canes take 3-1 lead Oilers still confident Jordan stole the show Complete Playoffs coverage Hurricanes official site Oilers official site Hurricanes team stats Oilers team stats Buy your 'Canes merchandise Buy your Oilers merchandise

Such ineffectiveness gave rise to suggestions that the young Staal could not handle either the pressure of hockey's center stage or the workload as No. 1 center as the Hurricanes breezed past the 100-game mark in search of their first Stanley Cup.

In the face of such scrutiny, the Hurricanes closed ranks and defended their giant center during the off-day between Games 3 and 4. Laviolette was the star witness for the defense.

"I think that, you know, he has had his chances and will continue to get his chances," Laviolette said Sunday. "I think he's one of the top players in the League. I think he's been one of the top players in the playoffs. I have a tremendous amount of confidence and faith in him that, you know, if we need to win a game he can be a guy that gets it done for us.

"He's been that guy all year and I guess it's just a lot of belief on my part, in his skills and his ability and his work ethic, his character. So, I mean, a lot of times when you talk about offensive guys automatically it translates into whether or not he's putting the puck in the net. He could be playing great defense, he could be playing hard, then if the puck is not going in for him, it will, it is just a matter of time for him."

Talk about a sense of foreshadowing. Staal's time came in a big way Monday night before a hostile, sell-out crowd at the rocking Rexall Place. But Laviolette also helped his own cause by thoroughly reshuffling his lines throughout Game 4 to get away from matchup difficulties from the Oilers that had plagued Staal throughout the first three games. That meant Staal and Cory Stillman often played on the same line, reprising their regular-season role as effective linemates. The only thing missing from that pairing was winger Erik Cole, who was the third piece of that line during the regular season. Cole has missed the whole playoffs with a serious neck injury.

"I think there's a little bit of chemistry with Cory and Erik," Laviolette said. "But, it's tough to break up your top line, as well. I think Rod (Brind'Amour) and (Jason Williams) were clicking pretty good with Cory, too. So, what we tried to do was really mix the lines up completely and try to avoid matchups."

Staal announced his intention to be a difference-maker midway through Monday's first period. Edmonton had taken the all-important 1-0 lead at the 8:40 mark of the period when Sergei Samsonov scored a pretty re- direction goal. But, the Oilers took an ill-advised tripping penalty on the ensuing faceoff, meaning Staal hopped over the boards to take his customary spot on the point of Carolina's man-advantage unit.

Twelve seconds later, he was the proud owner of the secondary assist on the tying goal. His pass from the blue line to Frantisek Kaberle, stationed along the mid-board, set in motion a beautiful play that saw Kaberle skim a pass through the slot and the attendant jumble of legs and sticks to find the blade of Stillman's stick in the opposite circle. Stillman, extending his point streak to 12-straight games, rifled a shot through Edmonton goalie Jussi Markkanen, who's post-to-post move was a tick too slow.

At 15:56 of the second period, Staal was the fulcrum of Carolina's go-ahead goal. Stillman forced a turnover deep in the Edmonton zone by getting the shaft of his stick on a clearing attempt by defenseman Chris Pronger. Staal, situated between the circles, used his impressive height to glove down the fluttering puck and get it to his stick. In a nearly fluid motion, he feathered a sweet backhand pass to Mark Recchi, stationed just off the post to Markkanen's right. Recchi wristed a shot inside the near post that proved impossible to stop.

With brother Jordan and father Henry in attendance, Eric, right, rose to the occasion.

"I felt I was getting involved," Staal said of his Game 4 performance. "I wanted to get dirty, get in the physical battle. It was intense out there. It was a battle, but I felt good getting in the mix."

Just like that, Staal was no longer a non-factor and Carolina had its first lead during these two games in Edmonton.

"You know, when he's skating and playing physical like he was tonight, he's tough," said teammate Kevyn Adams. "The play he made on the Recchi goal shows he has the whole package. I mean, everybody knows that by now. "

Monday, they were reminded of it by Staal's first-period showcase of all his skills, something teammate Rod Brind'Amour believed to be in the works even before Staal took the ice for Game 4.

"I think yesterday I got asked that question and I said, 'You know what, watch and see what happens,'" the Carolina captain said. "He's one of the best players in the League for a reason. It's not just because he has talents, it's because he is consistent, night in and night out. I thought he has been playing great hockey.

"Tonight, he made two great plays, that's the difference in the hockey game."

From there Carolina relied on the brilliance of goalie Cam Ward, a suffocating presence in the defensive zone and a flawless penalty kill to slowly drain the life out of the Oilers.

But, as brilliant as Ward was -- adding another entry to his already impressive ledger as a Conn Smythe candidate -- Monday was just as much about the sudden resurgence of Staal.

"He made some nice plays tonight," the coach said. I thought he had an excellent game and, you know, it was nice to see him do that. I just think that the biggest thing for him is to continue to play with confidence because he's a great player.

"People start talking about a slump and I just don't see it."

At least not in the crystal ball that Laviolette obviously consulted before Game 4.