In Raleigh, it was evident the New Jersey Devils did no0t have what it took to erase a 3-1 series deficit to the Carolina Hurricanes.
On Thursday night, Jesper Fast scored off a power play at 7:09 of overtime for a 3-2 win for the Canes, and a 4-1 series win.
“I felt it and I looked back and it was in the net, so just a lot of happy emotions,” Fast said. “I had a weird feeling going into overtime. I missed two kind of good opportunities, so I [felt] like the next one would go in. Just happy I get a little touch on that one.”
Carolina awaits the winner of the Florida Panthers/Toronto Maple Leafs series.
“I’m just really proud of the group,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “I’m just an old guy sitting behind the bench, just watching this and enjoying how hard everyone is working and [playing] together. It’s a great group.”
Fast deflected a shot from point by Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
Through two periods, the Canes chased the game with New Jersey taking leads of 1-0 and 2-1 in regulation.
Frederik Andersen made 27 saves in the Carolina win.
“I’m just having fun playing, that’s the biggest takeaway for me,” Andersen said. “I’ve waited for a few years to get this opportunity, and I’m making the best of it and enjoying it.”
New Jersey took a 1-0 lead at 15:06 of the opening stanza on a strike by Dawson Mercer .
The Canes’ Jaccob Slavin scored with 50 seconds of fresh ice used in the middle frame for a 1-1 tie.
“There can be ebbs and flows within a game, but we stuck to our game the whole time, getting pucks in deep, working on getting pucks to the net,” Slavin said. “We just stayed on it, stayed on it, stayed on it and got the win in the end.”
Timo Meier‘s marker at 7:15 gave New Jersey a 2-1 advantage in the second.
“[We] got a real good taste of what playoff hockey is like, the ups and downs,” New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff said. “Losing the first couple games in both series hurt us. You know you’d like to take that as a lesson going forward.”
Caroline knotted the game, 2-2, with 38 seconds left in the middle frame on a strike by Brent Burns, his shot from the right point proved elusive for the New Jersey goalie.
“It’s been pretty special to see different guys come in at different times and just compete and fit in great,” Burns said. “Five [men] together and we just keep rolling. It’s been that so far, and it’s going to have to continue.”
Akira Schmid made 36 saves in the loss.
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