(Sports Network) - With their home crowd behind them again, the Edmonton Oilers try to knot things at two games apiece tonight when they host the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals at Rexall Place.

Edmonton was in desperation mode entering Game 3 on Saturday, as Carolina won both tilts down in Raleigh -- including a 5-0 blowout in the second game. However, it was the Oilers taking a 2-1 decision to get themselves back into the series. Ryan Smyth's quirky goal with 2:15 left in the third period held up as the difference, while Jussi Markkanen finished with 24 saves in his second consecutive start.

The winning tally had some question surrounding it, as the puck deflected off goaltender Cam Ward then off Smyth's body and in. The play was reviewed, but the goal stood. The Hurricanes camp believed that Smyth interfered with Ward in scoring the goal, but their complaints were futile.

Shawn Horcoff also scored for the Oilers, while Hemsky assisted on both goals.

The big story, though, was Markkanen, who made his first appearance since early March with a start in Game 2. Regular netminder Dwayne Roloson, of course, is doubtful to return to this series after suffering a knee injury late in the opener.

Markkanen, who was often let down by his teammates in his first start, had plenty of help in front of him on Saturday. The team looked more and more like the defensive machine that shut down Detroit and San Jose earlier in the playoffs.

The Oilers blocked 13 shots on Saturday, after managing only seven in Game 2. Captain Jason Smith led the way with four.

Markkanen's lone blemish was a Rod Brind'Amour tally midway through the third period.

At the other end, Ward made 28 saves for the Hurricanes and continued to play brilliantly to make a case for the Conn Smythe Trophy. Brind'Amour's goal was his 12th of the postseason, while Cory Stillman pitched in with an assist to extend his scoring streak to 11 games.

Ward has allowed two goals or less in 11 of his 17 starts in these playoffs.

Brind'Amour seemed to have a bullseye on his chest instead of a hurricane, as the Oilers put a body on him every chance they could. The line of Michael Peca, Raffi Torres and Fernando Pisani spent many of their shifts head-to-head with the Hurricanes' captain, who logged 24:10 of ice time in the match.

Brind'Amour, normally one of the top faceoff artists in the league, struggled in Game 3 -- winning only 10 of his 27 attempts. As a club, the Oilers managed to win 28 of the 48 draws in the game.

Carolina was 0-for-5 on the power play, while Edmonton was 0-for-7.

Edmonton is trying to come back and win a series it trailed 0-2 for the second time in this postseason. The Oilers already did the deed against San Jose in the second round.

Game 5 will be played Wednesday at RBC Center in Raleigh.