2023 Postseason: Round 2, Game 3- Hurricanes at New Jersey Devils (CAR leads 2-0)

The Canes' offense has exploded in the first two games of the series in Raleigh, combining to score 11 goals while allowing just two. Four goals in the second period helped to separate the Canes with Jesperi Kotkaniemi scoring twice early in the period before Jordan Staal and Martin Necas scored at the end of the period. Miles Wood scored New Jersey's only goal early in the third period but by then, the game was already out of hand. To make matters worse, Jordan Martinook and Stefan Noesen scored within a minute of each other to really make things look bad as the Canes cruised to a 6-1 win to take a 2-0 series lead. Akira Schmid was pulled for the second straight game while Frederik Andersen played another spectacular game, allowing just one goal for the third straight start. Now, the series heads to New Jersey for the next two. The Devils have to find some answers to explain why they're starting slowly offensively for the second series in a row. To start, Luke Hughes will be making his postseason debut today in the place of Ryan Graves, who was injured in the second game but seemed to play through it. The hope is that the change of scenery and the added youthful energy will help them turn this series around. For the Canes, the goal remains the same. They need to come out of this with at least a split to put New Jersey on the ropes. 

Canes Lineup

Stefan Noesen-Sebastian Aho-Seth Jarvis

Jordan Martinook-Jesperi Kotkaniemi-Jesper Fast

Jack Drury-Jordan Staal-Martin Necas

Paul Stastny-Derek Stepan-Jesse Puljujarvi

Jaccob Slavin-Brent Burns

Brady Skjei-Brett Pesce

Shayne Gostisbehere-Jalen Chatfield

Injuries/Scratches/Extras- Teuvo Teravainen (broken hand), Antti Raanta (illness), Mackenzie MacEachern (healthy), Calvin de Haan (healthy), Dylan Coghlan (healthy), Pyotr Kochetkov (healthy)

IR- Andrei Svechnikov (Torn ACL), Max Pacioretty (Achilles), Ondrej Kase (concussion)

The Hurricanes will keep the same lineup for today's game after two decisive wins at home. Antti Raanta won't dress again due to an illness, so Pyotr Kochetkov will serve as the backup for the second game in a row. 

Starting Goalies

NJ- Vitek Vanecek (0-2, 3 GA on 18 shots in 2 relief appearances in the 2nd round)

After relieving Schmid in the first two games, Vanecek will get the start for Game 3 in the hopes that he'll be able to turn this series around for New Jersey. He was originally the starter in the first round but allowed nine goals in two losses to the Rangers. 

CAR- Frederik Andersen (3-0, 28 saves on 29 shots in Game 2)

After another brilliant start in Game 2, Andersen will be in control of the net once again for the Canes. He's allowed just two goals so far in this series, stopping 45 of the 47 shots he's faced from the Devils. He'll aim to have another strong performance as the Canes strive to make it a 3-0 series. 

Scoring Summary

1st Period

(NJ) 5:58- Timo Meier (1) (assisted by Jack Hughes (3) & Dawson Mercer (2))

(NJ) 10:55- Jack Hughes (4) (assisted by Brendan Smith (1) & Dawson Mercer (3))

(NJ) 12:31- Michael McLeod (2) SH (assisted by Nico Hischier (6) & John Marino (3))

2nd Period

(NJ) 0:53- Nico Hischier (1) (assisted by Jesper Bratt (4) & Ondrej Palat (4))

(CAR) 2:00- Sebastian Aho (5) (assisted by Seth Jarvis (4) & Jaccob Slavin (3))

(NJ) 5:33- Damon Severson (1) (assisted by Luke Hughes (1) & Jack Hughes (4))

(CAR) 12:18- Jordan Martinook (2) SH PS (unassisted)

3rd Period

(NJ) 3:08- Miles Wood (2) (assisted by John Marino (4) & Vitek Vanecek (1))

(NJ) 5:17- Jack Hughes (5) (assisted by Dawson Mercer (4) & Jonas Siegenthaler (2))

(CAR) 7:21- Jordan Staal (2) SH (assisted by Jordan Martinook (4))

(CAR) 8:11- Seth Jarvis (4) SH (assisted by Jesper Fast (3))

(NJ) 10:47- Ondrej Palat (3) PP (assisted by Jesper Bratt (5) & Luke Hughes (2))

Let's Talk About the Game

I'm not sure if can get much uglier than that. This was a terrible effort from the Canes for almost the entire 60 minutes. There are likely to be theories about how Luke Hughes made the difference or how the goaltending change was the key to New Jersey getting back into the series. I'm here to tell you that it's all wrong. The reason New Jersey won this game, other than scoring more than the Canes, is because their stars finally decided to take part in the series. Jack Hughes had two goals and two assists. Dawson Mercer had three assists. Nico Hischier and Timo Meier each scored their first goals of the postseason. Jesper Bratt had two assists. It was a surgical start to the game as the Devils scored early and often in this game. They blitzed the Canes and Carolina didn't have an answer. I'm not going goal-by-goal for this one because that might take me all night to get through. Instead, I have some topics that need to be discussed. 

The officiating for this game was terrible and it very quickly got out of hand. I'll reiterate that it isn't the reason that the Canes lost. Still, there were some terrible no-calls and then the ones they did call were suspect. Sebastian Aho caught a stick up high early that was let go. Hischier got away with a slash on Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Almost immediately after that, there was another missed high stick. A clear slash that knocked Brett Pesce's stick out of his hands led to a goal shortly after. Stefan Noesen getting an additional two minutes for roughing before his fight with Erik Haula is laughable since Haula got away with interference right before that on Seth Jarvis. The interference call on Jaccob Slavin to extend New Jersey's 5-on-3 was hilariously bad. That play happens so many times during a game and the fact that both guys were near the puck makes it worse. The officials allowed this game to get this bad and there's nothing we can do about it now. 

The defense and the goaltending from both Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov were unacceptable. I can give Kochetkov a little bit of a pass since he was coming off of the bench cold but I expected much more from Andersen. Even if you argue that the defense around them was terrible in this game, which it was, there were still too many soft goals. Michael McLeod's short-handed goal was soft. Hughes' second goal of the game was soft. Meier's goal is one that you'd like to have back. Damon Severson made the defense look foolish with his spin move. It was an especially bad game for Pesce and Brady Skjei. Both finished the game at -4, as did Kotkaniemi. Eight goals in any circumstance is bad but it's a little worse when it happens in the playoffs. 

It wasn't all bad for the case, though it certainly felt that way. The penalty kill continued to be the best part of the Canes' game. While they did allow a late goal with the game already out of reach, it was a great night to be on the kill. The Canes scored three goals while short-handed, tying an NHL record for the most in a game. Jordan Martinook was a part of two of the three goals and he made two great plays. He was awarded a penalty shot after picking off a pass from the younger Hughes brother and being thwarted on his breakaway attempt. You can argue that it was a soft call on Dougie Hamilton that led to the chance being awarded and I probably wouldn't fight you on it. Still, Martinook made a beautiful forehand-backhand move to get Vanecek off balance and he buried it. He also made a beautiful saucer pass to Jordan Staal to set up a goal for the captain. Seth Jarvis added to the fun on the same power play as the Staal goal by finishing his second breakaway in as many games. It's not a sound strategy to rely on your kill to provide the offense but it certainly doesn't hurt. 

When it's all said and done, the Canes lost this game and there's no disputing that. They certainly didn't get the bounces with Martin Necas hitting a crossbar early in the first, another post in the second, and Jack Drury ringing the iron in the second also. They clearly poked the bear with their blowout wins at home because New Jersey came prepared for a fight. That just means the Canes need to respond in Game 4. Thus far, the script has been the exact same as it was against the Islanders. The Canes won Games 1 and 2 at home and then lost Game 3 by four goals, albeit in very different ways. They responded in Game 4 against the Islanders with a big win. I'm hoping we see that same team on Tuesday night because a 3-1 lead heading home gives me a lot more hope for the series moving forward. 

Canes' Three Stars of the Game

Third Star- Sebastian Aho (Goal)

As Carolina's superstar, he is often going to be targeted by the other team. Today, Aho didn't wait to stir the pot. He played the role of a nuisance early, drawing a penalty from Tomas Tatar for his swing to the back of the head. He also got into a wrestling match with Hughes at one point. Aho also provided some offense, scoring the Canes' first goal after the goalie change to extend his point streak to six games. 

Second Star- Jordan Martinook (Goal, Assist)

Martinook has arguably been the team's best forward through three games. He has three straight multi-point games with another two-point effort in this one. Both of his points game while short-handed too. His penalty shot was flawless and not the type of move I would've expected from him. His assist was a thing of beauty too. He also showed some good physicality, recording three hits. 

First Star- Seth Jarvis (Goal, Assist) 

I think Jarvis has quietly been putting together a strong postseason. He has points in all three games of this series, recording a multi-point game for the second time this postseason. He set up Aho's goal in the second period, then scored the team's third short-handed goal of the game on a breakaway while fighting some defenders. He also finished with three hits and two blocks. 

Around the League

Toronto/Florida (FLA 2-0)- After losing both games at home, the Maple Leafs are hoping that the luck of the road teams in this series continues in Game 3. Sam Lafferty got them on the board in the first period as Toronto leads 1-0 after the first period. 

Dallas/Seattle (Tied 1-1)- After evening the series in Game 2, the Stars will head to Seattle to begin the two-game stretch on the road. The Kraken need to find a way to quiet down Joe Pavelski, who has five goals in two games since returning from his injury. 

Vegas/Edmonton (Tied 1-1)- Edmonton's power play continues to be the story of the postseason as they struck a few more times in Game 2. Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid each scored twice as the Oilers dominated Vegas in their barn to even the series.