What a game!

The Carolina Hurricanes last-second win over the New Jersey Devils Tuesday night at the RBC Center in Raleigh tops just about anything I have ever seen in my short span as a hockey fan. An instant classic, one for the ages.

I couldn't believe my eyes -- Dennis Seidenberg fired a shot that was deflected by Jussi Jokinen and crossed the goal line with 0.2 seconds left, giving the Cardiac Canes a 4-3 win over the Devils. The best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarterfinal series is now tied at 2-2, as the series shifts to New Jersey Thursday night for game five.

The momentum is now clearly in the Canes favor. That was a heartbreaking loss for the Devils, which wiped out a 3-0 deficit to tie the game mid-way through the third.

The Hurricanes came out on fire, pretty much dominating the Devils through nearly two periods. New Jersey didn't find the back of the net until nearly the end of the second period. The Canes probably let off the gas -- or maybe they were a bit out of gas -- in the third and made a couple of mental mistakes that allowed the Devils to the light the lamp two more times. The Devils did not quit.

But the Canes hung in there, and just when it looked like the game was headed into overtime for the second straight game -- Boom! We score. Game over. I thought the roof was going to blow off the RBC Center. We had to wait a few minutes for the goal to be reviewed before the celebration hit full force.

I was relieved that it did not go to an extra period. Not after what happened Sunday night in game three when the Devils broke our hearts in overtime. The RBC Center was rocking for the first playoff game in Raleigh since the Canes won the Stanley Cup in a classic game seven against Edmonton Oilers. But when the game went to overtime, that didn't seem such a bad thing.

The Canes were 5-0 against the Devils in overtime games in the playoffs going into game two Friday night in Jersey, which also went to an extra frame. Tim Gleason scored his first playoff goal ever to give the Canes a 2-1 victory. But at some point, most streaks must come to an end. The Devils won game three, 2-1, and snatched back home ice advantage. It was no fun walking out of the RBC Center shell-shocked.

That loss made it imperative for the Canes to win game four Tuesday night to even up the series. A loss would have put the Canes in a 3-1 hole that few teams overcome. It was as loud in the RBC Center as I have ever heard, hearkening back to that magical Stanley Cup run in 2006. My ears were aching when I left the place.

And yes, right before my eyes, I got to see the great Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur have his meltdown. He felt that Jokinen had interfered with him right before Seidenberg fired that last shot. But Brodeur, the all-time winningest goaltender in NHL history, was outside the crease and the referees apparently told him that they felt he had time to reset himself after coming into contact with Jokinen before that last shot was fired. So no penalty was called. He smashed his stick into the sideboards several times as he left the ice. It was a pathetic display of sportsmanship.

So we are back on even terms. This is now a best of three, with two games in New Jersey. Even though the momentum may have shifted back to the Canes, game five -- just like this series -- will be a battle.

While I won't say it is a must-win, it would be nice to steal that one and give yourself a chance to win the series at home in game six. I really don't want to see it go back to New Jersey for game seven. But it every well could. These are two evenly matched teams.

Regardless of what happens Thursday night in New Jersey, I cannot wait for game six Sunday in Raleigh. The RBC Center again will be electric. And if it works out that the Canes have a chance to win the series that night, watch out. I might need some ear plugs.

Go Canes!

David Sinclair is the managing editor of The Pilot, and a diehard Carolina Hurricane fan. He can be reached at dsinclair@thepilot.com.