In Newark, the New Jersey Devils were exposed n Game 4 on Tuesday night. 
The Carolina Hurricanes scored five times in the middle frame, then clamped down on the defense in the third period, limiting New Jersey to five shots in a 6-1 win.
Carolina leads the second round series, 3-1 headed to Raleigh on Thursday night.
Martin Necas hit for a double for the Canes, who trailed 1-0 in the first period on a goal fro Jack Hughes.
“Early on, they got some momentum, and obviously they got a goal, and they were kind of buzzing for the first 5-10 minutes,” Necas said. “Freddy made some nice saves there and then we got one, and then I feel like [in] the second period, we were playing our game and it was out of our end quick and in their end and that’s how we succeed.”
Necas’ pair came in the first and early second period for a 3-1 lead.
It was really all the offense the Hurricanes needed.
“It’s unacceptable,” New Jersey captain Nico Hischier said. “We had a game going on there, we got scored on and the bench got quiet and they made us pay really fast. Got to learn from that and can’t let that happen again.
“Now we got to play our best game of the year. We got to stick together and no time to feel sorry for ourselves and no mistakes allowed.”
Frederik Andersen made 21 saves in the win.
“We thought we rebounded after that third game,” Andersen said. “We got to wipe the slate clean and come again in a couple days and kind of (have) the same recipe.”
After Necas scored in the second period for the 2-1 lead, Carolina added four more strikes in the frame.
Brett Pesce scored midway through the second period for a 3-1 advantage.
At that point it was an easy win as the Hurricanes seemingly put shots on goal with New Jersey defense preoccupied with something else to do.
Jesper Fast pushed the lead to 4-1 just 70 seconds later with another easy goal.
“I mean, tonight was probably as disappointed of a game, a crucial game. … [the Hurricanes] kind of flipped it (from Game 3),” New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff said. “They competed harder on pucks, they won more battles than we did.
“Playoffs are hard. We didn’t make it to a high enough level to win a hockey game tonight.”
The rout was on when Brent Burns scored his first of the post season at 12:46 for a 5-1 lead.
“The game was won in a five-minute span, right? That’s hockey,” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “Sometimes you don’t need all those goals but that’s what happens. You just can’t take a breather and for us, we were able to capitalize right there.”
Jordan Martinook scored on a wrist shot from the right circle that muffed for the 6-1 final, the goal came with 24 seconds left in the second period.
“Obviously, it’s good to contribute,” Martinook said. “But just being up 3-1, going home, that’s the main thing. After Sunday (8-4 loss in Game 3), we weren’t happy, wanted to come out and obviously play our style. … Once we settled in, we got to our game.”
Martinook had three points in the win.
“I don’t think I’ve changed anything in this series,” Martinook said. “It’s just they’re going in. … I feel like the way our team plays, it just suits my style and I’ve been chipping in offensively which is, if I can keep doing that, then hopefully we keep winning.”
Carolina spent the third period protecting the lead, and holding New Jersey to five shots on goal.
“We didn’t come here to win one game,” Brind’Amour said. “We came here to win them both. We didn’t. … It’s always about how you can respond, and I think we did a great job of that tonight.”
Use CodePHN15
Vitek Vanecek got the start for New Jersey and made 12 saves, yielding five goals.He got the hook after the Burns goal in the second period.
Akira Schmid made 10 saves in a mop up role.
You must be logged in to post a comment.