In Raleigh, another tight game was featured between the Hurricanes and Nashville Predators.
Sebastian Aho staked the Canes to a 1-0 lead in the first period.
“It was definitely a grind game, a lot of penalties, a lot of 4-on-4s, power plays,” Aho said. “Not all guys can get in a rhythm, but great job from our guys to still be ready when their turn was going on the ice. Just a solid team effort.”
Rookie Canes goalie Alex Nedeljkovic made that goal stand up until the final minute of the third period; he 32 saves for the shutout win.
“It’s just another game,” Nedeljkovic said. “I can’t answer it any other way. You try to play as loose as you can and at the same time under control and have the right frame of mind. Hopefully good things happen.”
Aho collected his second goal of the night into an empty cage.
“It starts with the hot goalie,” Aho said. “You’ve got the confidence to put the pressure on their players. We know if they make a play, ‘Ned’ will bail us out. It’s huge when you have a hot goalie. It’s just fun to watch him play right now.”
Warren Foegele scored off a deflection in front of the net for the 3-0 final.
“Obviously I think everyone needs to be better,” Nashville’s Roman Josi said. “I’m on the power play, so I have to do a better job. Every guy has to look in the mirror and be better. It’s such a huge part of the game, especially in the playoffs.”
The series switches to Nashville for Game 3, Friday night.
“They force you to be able to make plays under pressure and quick ones,” Nashville head coach John Hynes said. “We have to do a better job getting into the zone and we have to do a better job of making that next play to stop the pressure. If you do that, then you’re going to be a little bit more successful.”
Juuse Saros made 28 Saves in the loss.
“‘Juice’ will be Juice,” Nashville’s fRyan Johansen said of Saros. “He’s a stud, he’s one of the hardest-working kids in the business. We count on him to keep doing his thing, and he was great tonight.”
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