Jordan Staal won a Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 2009, which must seem like a lifetime ago at this juncture of his career.

And at age 37, the Carolina Hurricanes’ captain probably realizes he won’t get many more opportunities to win a championship.

“It’s always exciting, no matter what age you’re at,” Staal said Monday after the Hurricanes’ morning skate at the Bell Centre as he prepared for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final later that night against the Canadiens.

“Obviously at the tail end of your career, you probably appreciate it a little bit more,” added the 6-foot-4, 220-pound native of Thunder Bay, Ont. “I don’t think there’s anyone in this room that’s as excited as I am.

“I want to win. There’s no question. And it’s not easy to do. I know that. It’s an opportunity that you don’t want to waste. I know that, too. All of that’s in the back of your mind. It’s the journey. It’s being able to grind with these guys. Have fun with it and enjoy the atmosphere of playoff hockey. And all those things you appreciate. You give everything you have to try to win it all. Put it all together. It’s not easy, but we’re doing all we can.”

This marks Carolina’s third trip to the NHL semifinals in four seasons, yet the Hurricanes have been unable to advance to the Cup final. Carolina and the Canadiens were tied 1-1 in the best-of-seven series after the opening two games in Raleigh, Montreal having taken away home-ice advantage.

While Games 3 and 4 are at the Bell Centre, Montreal has struggled on home ice during the playoffs, losing four of six games. But Staal said that’s of no significance in Carolina’s dressing room.

“That can flip at any moment,” he said. “We’ve talked about how great they are at home. It doesn’t really matter. It’s such a hyper-focus shift, game, moment, faceoff. That’s how you have to approach these things. It’s not like I’m starting the first draw (thinking) they’re not very good at home. That’s not how it works.

“The confidence in our game helps. It’s better being 1-1 than down two. We knew (Saturday) was a big game. I thought we had a great effort. It was just enough. It’s going to be all of that and more as we go forward. It’s an exciting time for this series.”

Although Staal scored 20 goals this season for the first time since 2015-16, while adding 16 assists in 75 games, he’s not relied upon to produce offence on a team that’s well balanced.

Instead, he’s regarded as a premier penalty killer and skilled two-way forward. Staal has one goal and four points through 10 playoff games, and while he didn’t produce a point in Carolina’s 3-2 overtime victory Saturday night, his contribution couldn’t be overlooked.

The veteran centre, along with linemates Nikolaj Ehlers and Jordan Martinook, held the Canadiens’ top line of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky without a point and only four shots. Ehlers paced Carolina with two goals, including the overtime winner.

Staal was selected second overall by Pittsburgh — behind St. Louis defenceman Erik Johnson — in 2006. He was traded to Carolina in 2012 for two players and a first-round draft choice. Staal signed a 10-year, $US60-million extension that July, yet displayed no signs of slowing down before signing a four-year, US$11.6-million contract with Carolina in 2023, eschewing becoming a potential unrestricted free agent. He’s the longest-tenured Hurricane and has been the team’s captain since 2019.

When Staal signed his latest — and probably last — deal, Don Waddell, Carolina’s general manager at the time, said he “embodies what it means to be a Hurricane.”

Head coach Rod Brind’Amour, a former Carolina captain who spent 20 seasons in the NHL, hasn’t been surprised by anything Staal has accomplished, even this late in his career.

“When you know him … he takes it so serious and takes care of himself,” Brind’Amour said. “All the stuff that goes into it. He’s as good as any athlete I’ve been around. I’m surprised that at this stage of his career he can still (play) the way he’s doing it. But once you get to know him, it shouldn’t be.”

With one season remaining until he’s eligible to become an unrestricted free agent again, Staal doesn’t look too far into the future, especially amid a playoff run.

“As a player, everyone here doesn’t look at that broader picture,” he said. “It’s day-to-day … how you feel … and things can change. There’s so much more out of your control on how your career ends. The fact that I’m here, I’m grateful for it. I’m happy to be here and so excited to be part of this group. I’m just going day-by-day.”

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com