After toppling the Habs, time for the Leafs to weather the storm ahead

TORONTO - Maple Leafs GM Ron Dubin was in a celebratory mood on Monday night as his team beat the rival Montreal Canadiens 4-1 in game 7 of a hard fought series.  Dubin joined the players in the locker room, challenging them to arm wrestling matches, sharing a couple brews and making quite the speech before heading on his way.  Outside the locker room, he met with reporters, answering questions about the series with Montreal, and the upcoming one with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Q: The Canadiens took you guys to seven games, did you ever think that you were out of it?

RD: I know I say 'Don't ever count yourself out', but the Habs iced a great team this year.  They had us worried at times, but I had a gut feeling that we'd pull through.  We have a great team here, and we've been here before, last year.  

Q: Speaking of last year, do you think that your guys will have enough gas to make another run?

RD: I have no doubts that our team has the cajones and the endurance to take it all home.  Last year, we finished one game away.  One goal away from winning the Cup, and this year, everyones hungry.  The majority of our guys were there last year, and the few guys we added in know what it takes to win.  So to answer your question, yes, I know they have enough to go all the way here.

Q: Do you have a status update on Travis Hamonic?

RD: Aside from having a voodoo doll curse on him this year?  No.  Its an arm injury.  He'll be back this round.

Q: What are your thoughts on your next opponent, Carolina?

RD: Carolina...we beat em once, we'll beat them again.  They're an aging team with a good goalie on a lucky streak.  Are they good? Yeah, they're good, but they aren't the Maple Leafs.  We won the conference this year, we went to the finals last year.  We know what we are doing, and we will make sure that the only championship that the Hurricanes see is the one on TV that we hoist in June.

And with that, GM Dubin walked off.  Has this been the first shot fired in what could be a heated series?  What will the Hurricanes respond with, words, or actions?  Stay tuned.