RALEIGH, N.C. — Carolina is a dead team walking right now. 

Down 3-0 in the second-round playoff series against the Rangers after Thursday night’s 3-2 overtime loss on their home ice, the Hurricanes face elimination Saturday in Game 4 at PNC Arena. 

And on Friday, there were signs of resignation in the voice of Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour — although he attempted to put on a brace face. 

“We’re in a tough spot, we know that,’’ Brind’Amour said after his team’s off-day practice. “It’s the same old story, and it’s boring, but you’ve just got to worry about the one game and see where it goes. We certainly don’t want to feel sorry for ourselves. It’s a new day, and we’ve got a new challenge tomorrow. We’ll put our best foot forward.’’ 

After losses in Games 1 and 2, Brind’Amour sounded borderline defiant about how his team was playing — praising it for being at least on a level with the Rangers at even strength but dominated on special teams. 

It’s fair to wonder now, though, whether the Rangers penalty kill has broken the spirit of the Hurricanes and crushed the Carolina confidence. 

Brind’Amour, in the immediate aftermath of Thursday’s loss, said his players “are as down as they’re ever going to be,’’ adding, “You’ve got to feel that. That’s the ‘keep it real’ part of it. But you’ve got to pick yourself up and come back tomorrow.” 

The Hurricanes entered this series as one of the most proficient teams in the NHL on power play production, and they’re 0-for-15 with a man advantage in this series. 

“We’re focusing on how bad we’re playing, but we’re really playing pretty damn good. I look at that,’’ Brind’Amour insisted after the game Thursday, noting that the Canes have outscored the Rangers 7-6 at even strength in the series. 

“There’s two games going on here,’’ Brind’Amour said, referring to even strength and power play. “We’re losing one badly, but we’re doing pretty damn good on the other one.” 

During Friday’s practice, Brind’Amour tried some different line combinations on his power play in an effort to find a right mix. 

“We’ve got good players,’’ Brind’Amour said. “Scrambling players around, I don’t know how much that’s going to change. We’ve got to get more dialed in on the execution part of it. We were good all year. In the Islanders series (when Carolina was 5-for-15 on the power play) I thought it was OK, but we’ve hit a three-game snag here at the wrong time to hit it. 

“That’s definitely a concern. That’s why we’re in this hole. You’ve got to give [the Rangers penalty kill] credit. They’re doing their system real well, knowing when to pressure and when not, and we’re just not handling it the way we normally do.’’ 

The Carolina players sound perplexed at their predicament. 

“It’s tough,” Hurricanes star Sebastian Aho said. “Our backs are against the wall. Yeah, it’s tough. The good thing is we’re still alive. You just have to find a way to win.” 

Asked where his players were mentally at Friday’s practice, Brind’Amour said, “We’re good. We all are grown men and we understand the situation, but we also have to approach it the right way. It’s a great opportunity. We’re still playing. The focus is to try to get that much better.’’