Bill Clement

Cam Ward just might have another date with destiny.

It was Ward, who as a rookie goalie in 2006, came out of nowhere to set several milestones on his way to leading the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup.

Ward was phenomenal. He became the first rookie goalie to win the Conn Smythe Trophy since Ron Hextall in 1987. He also was the first rookie goalie in 20 years to record a shutout in the Stanley Cup finals. And he tied the rookie record for wins in the playoffs (15), previously held by Patrick Roy and Hextall.

Now after upsets of the Devils and Bruins, the Hurricanes are taking on Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference finals. Ward and his teammates face a high-powered Penguins’ offense. But with Ward on his high horse, Pittsburgh’s big-time scorers could get bucked into the ice.

It was Ward who was feeling the heat three years ago.

Ward won 30 games in 2006-07, but the Hurricanes weren’t good enough to make the postseason. He lost a lot of weight in preparation for the 2007-08 season when he was supposed to be the new and improved Cam Ward, but despite his 37 wins, Carolina again wound up missing the playoffs.

But the Hurricanes falling short of the postseason those two years are tied to much more than Ward’s goaltending. That said, Ward contributed more to the problem than he did to the solution. Style wise he was inconsistent. There were stretches where he would allow one bad goal per game.

Tom Barrasso is someone probably no one would have ever pegged as a goalie coach because he had been away from the game for so many years. The former Penguins star also didn’t seem to have the personality to be able to coach. Let me put it this way: His Christmas card list was short, and he wasn’t on many other people’s list. But he’s in his second year as the goaltending coach for Carolina, and he’s been a perfect fit.

Carolina coach Paul Maurice told me that Barrasso is a real big part of what is going on with Ward. They’ve made a connection, and that’s what has to happen. It’s one-on-one coaching. The security blanket, the safety net, the sounding board, all those things are what Barrasso provides to Ward. Barrasso is more than a technique guru to Ward. He helps his goalie live in the moment, stay in the moment, play one shot at a time, never consider what the score is, basically live in a vacuum for two and a half hours, and not think about anything but the next shot.

Barrasso has come a long way since his days as a player. He is far more approachable, and his attitude is good according to the people in the Carolina organization. It seems he’s changed his approach to life, and that’s aided his coaching.

Ward has played at an unbelievably consistent level. In the second half of the season, Ward was the best goalie in the Eastern Conference. There’s no question that in the playoffs Ward has performed at the level he did as a rookie in 2006. He’s the reason Carolina is in the conference finals.

After losing Game 1 of the conference semifinals to the Bruins, Carolina won the next three games as Ward allowed a combined three goals in those three games. He was outstanding in the Game 7 overtime win on the road.

Ward’s remained very composed and very compact. He’s not leaky, there are no pucks flying underneath his arms and between his legs. Also, his confidence is apparent in his ability to read plays. He knows what the potential shooter’s options are if he doesn’t shoot. It’s difficult for a goalie to think clearly when he lacks confidence. Ward has no such issue.

Slideshow   Sid the Kid Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has gone from phenom to Stanley Cup champion. more photos

A key to Ward regaining his 2006 form is he had to bring his expectations back to ground zero. Expectations can be the most debilitating negative for an athlete to deal with. There was so much expected of Ward the year after he led the Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup as a rookie. No pressure could be greater.

But that pressure has passed. After what Ward showed us in 2006, it had to be figured there was a good chance he’d work the big stages in the playoffs again. Well, he is, and he’s gone home again in the sense he has all the clues, all the gifts, and all the determination to put his team on his back and go for it all. Nothing could be finer in Carolina than to have the Cam Ward of his rookie season figuring it all out.

Also on NBCSports.com Out of Bounds: Katrina survivor pens hit Saints song Rosenthal: Colts will be team to beat next season NBA: ProBasketballTalk is here! Check out new blog NCAA BK: Who's in, who's out? Updated bracket projections Twitter: Follow us @nbc_sports

MORE FROM NHL

NHL Section Front

Blackhawks edge Stars in shootout Blues blow lead, but top Red Wings in shootout Krejci lifts Bruins over Sabres in shootout Spezza sparks Sens with 10th goal in 10 games Thrashers send goalie Lehtonen to Stars 6 NHL teams to open 2010-11 season in Europe Capitals go for 15th straight win   Vote: Will Caps own NHL's longest-ever win streak?   Vote: Career-high goals for Ovechkin this season?   Video: Sid-Alex among greatest rivalries ever NHL Section Front   Add NHL headlines to your news reader: