EDMONTON, Alberta — Only 21 and wrapping up his second NHL season, Eric Staal is two wins away from a Stanley Cup championship. He could easily take it all for granted. He couldn't be blamed for brushing off that once-in-a-lifetime talk.

Then he looks at five of his 30-something teammates.

Glen Wesley, Rod Brind'Amour, Bret Hedican, Doug Weight and Ray Whitney have been around for a total of 78 NHL seasons.

Their combined Stanley Cup titles? Zero.

No wonder they spoke up after the Hurricanes lost to Buffalo in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.

"They've all been around a long time and never won the Stanley Cup," Staal remembered. "They wanted the younger guys to realize that it's not going to happen every year. You've got to take advantage when you get the chance."

Carolina rallied to win Game 7 against the Sabres, then jumped ahead of the Edmonton Oilers with two straight wins in the Stanley Cup finals. The Hurricanes arrived in chilly, rainy Alberta Thursday. Game 3 is Saturday night.

"It doesn't matter whether you're 21 or 31," said Brind'Amour, Carolina's 35-year-old captain. "You may never get another chance."