The game got off to a frenetic start, with both teams trading chances in the first period. The Devils struck first, with Travis Zajac beating Hurricanes goalie Petr Mrazek with a wrist shot from the slot just over six minutes into the game. But the Hurricanes responded quickly, with Jordan Staal scoring on a rebound less than two minutes later to tie the game.
Hurricanes taking the lead on a power-play goal
The second period saw more back-and-forth action, with the Hurricanes taking the lead on a power-play goal by Sebastian Aho midway through the period. But the Devils fought back, with Jesper Bratt scoring just over two minutes later to tie the game again.
The third period was tense, with both teams playing conservatively and trying to avoid making mistakes. But with just over six minutes left in the period, Hurricanes forward Nino Niederreiter scored on a beautiful wrist shot to give his team the lead once again.
The Devils didn’t go down without a fight, however. With just over two minutes left in the game, Nico Hischier scored on a deflection to tie the game and send it to overtime.
In the extra period, it was the Hurricanes who came out on top. Just over five minutes into the period, Dougie Hamilton fired a slap shot from the point that beat Devils goalie Mackenzie Blackwood to give the Hurricanes the win and send them to the conference finals for the first time since 2009.
It was a thrilling game that showcased the best of playoff hockey. Both teams played hard and left everything on the ice, and it was the Hurricanes who ultimately came out on top. The team’s depth and resilience were on full display, as they got contributions from throughout their lineup and never gave up despite facing a tough opponent in the Devils.
One of the key factors in the Hurricanes’ win was their power play. They scored two goals with the man advantage, including Aho’s go-ahead goal in the second period. Their power play has been a strength all postseason, and it will be crucial for them as they move on to face the winner of the other conference semifinal series between the Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Another key factor was the play of Mrazek, who made several key saves throughout the game and finished with 31 saves on 34 shots. He has been solid in net for the Hurricanes all postseason, and his play will be crucial if they hope to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Hurricanes’ success this postseason is a testament to their team’s depth and resilience. They have gotten contributions from throughout their lineup and have never given up, even when facing adversity. Their road to the conference finals has been a tough one, but they have risen to the challenge at every turn.
As they move on to the next round, the Hurricanes will face a tough opponent in either the Bruins or the Lightning. But if they continue to play the way they have been playing, they will be a tough team to beat. With their depth, resilience, and strong play in all areas of the ice, the Hurricanes have proven that they are a team to be reckoned with this postseason.
