The Carolina Hurricanes continued their domination of the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference semifinals on Friday, skating away with Game 2 by a 6-1 final score.
Carolina used a four-goal second period to cruise to the victory. With the win, the team took a 2-0 advantage in the best-of-seven series.
Following a scoreless first period, the Hurricanes’ offensive exploded in the second, powered by a pair of goals from Jesperi Kotkaniemi and individual tallies from Martin Necas and veteran Jordan Staal.
Carolina finished one score shy of the franchise record for goals (5) in a playoff period, held by the 1988 Whalers and 2002 Hurricanes, per ESPN Stats and Info.
In the third period, it was more of the same. Miles Wood did get the Devils on the board early in the final stanza, but subsequent goals from Jordan Martinook and Stefan Noesen put hopes of a dramatic comeback to bed.
While the Canes’ offense stood out, the continued strong play of goaltender Frederick Andersen deserves a spotlight. Factoring in Friday’s victory, Andersen has allowed only a goal a game in each of his last three starts. In Game 2, Andersen turned away 28-of-29 New Jersey shots.
The Hurricanes have made it look easy two games into what many believed would be a tight, back-and-forth series. However, as they did after Game 1’s 5-1 romping, Carolina cautioned that the Devils are a capable team they must continue to take seriously.
“We’ve played some really good hockey, we can’t complain there,” Staal said via Bally Sports. “But, still just two games, and we got a lot of work left ahead of us. Very good team, and going back in their building in a tough environment is going to be a challenge.”
The series now shifts to New Jersey for Games 3 and 4. The Devils will host the Hurricanes for Game 3 on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET, looking to avoid falling into a nearly-impossible-to-escape 3-0 hole.
