The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the New Jersey Devils in Game 2 on Friday, winning 6-1 to take a 2-0 series lead. Here’s what you need to know:
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How is Caroline doing?
Maybe it’s time to stop wondering how the Hurricanes are going to win games without three of their best offensive weapons, Andrei Svechnikov, Max Pacioretty and Teuvo Teravainen. With his doggedness and strict adherence to a system that both produces chances and frustrates opponents, he’s just the next man for Carolina.
Kotkaniemi, after going scoreless in the first round, now has three goals in two second-round games. And with Shayne Gostisbehere and Jack Drury each on the board with two assists on Friday, the healthy 19 Hurricanes have scored at least one point in eight playoff games. When the Hurricanes stick to their structure and play smart hockey, they simply smother their opponents and score enough goals to win. — Lazerus
What’s going on with the Carolina goalies?
It’s Andersen’s net to lose now. Andersen was likely the starter after a strong Game 1, but Antti Raanta was a late scratch with illness, and Andersen weathered an early storm – including a 5-on-3 Devils power play – before picking up a victory of 28 stops. Raanta got the first five games of the first-round series against the Islanders and played well, and could definitely return to net before Carolina’s run is over, but for now Andersen is the guy. — Lazerus
Is it time to panic in New Jersey?
Well, the Devils lost the first two games to Rangers in the first round by identical scores of 5-1 – and that was at home. So it would be foolish to write them off after two losses in Raleigh. But there is certainly cause for concern.
The Devils were beaten 8-1 at 5-5 in the first period, melted down late in the second period when Carolina scored three times (just two counted) and Akira Schmid – who got and earned much of the credit for the Devils’ first-round turnover – was drawn in favor of Vitek Vanecek for the second straight game and the third time in the last four games. And Vanecek was no better, allowing two goals 54 seconds apart late in the third.
Carolina has put pressure on New Jersey’s top players as Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Dougie Hamilton, Dawson Mercer and Timo Meier are yet to score in the series. The Devils turned it on and turned it against New York. Can they start again against a better opponent? — Lazerus
Climax of the game
Key stat
That’s the most goals for Carolina in a playoff game since Game 1 against the Devils in 2006.
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(Photo: James Guillory/USA Today)
