Jordan Martinook had a goal and two assists and the Carolina Hurricanes scored five times in the second period to beat the New Jersey Devils 6-1 in Newark on Tuesday night for a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal.
The Hurricanes have outscored New Jersey 17-3 in their three wins. The five goals in the second period were the most the Devils have given up in a period this season.
The Canes, who edged the Devils for the Metropolitan Division title, can wrap up the best-of-seven series Thursday night in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Despite being down 2-1, New Jersey seemed to have the momentum coming into Game 4. It posted a one-sided 8-4 win on Sunday and had things going their way after Hughes’ early tip for his sixth goal of the postseason.
Things changed late in the opening period when Martinook set up Necas with a deft flip pass for shot in close that beat Vitek Vanecek.
Everything went the Hurricanes way in the second period. They got a couple of friendly bounces off Devils’ sticks, and then poured it on as a time out by New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff and later a goaltender change to first-round hero Akira Schmid didn’t change the luck.
Marty’s hand-eye coordination on 💯 tonight <a href=”https://t.co/3hMdak6Sfa”>pic.twitter.com/3hMdak6Sfa</a>
—@Canes
Martinook, who didn’t score a point in the six-game first-round win over the Islanders, was at the centre of things in the big second period, which featured the first four goals in a 5:20 span.
Necas put Carolina ahead at 7:26 when Devils defenceman Jonas Siegenthaler deflected a cross-ice pass by Pesce and it went to the Carolina forward alone in front.
Martinook, who has nine points in this series, had a hand in the final two goals. He had the secondary assist on Burns’ first of the postseason at 12:46.
Vanecek allowed five goals on 17 shots.
Hughes got the Devils on the board at 1:55, tipping Timo Meier’s shot between Andersen’s pads for his sixth goal. Necas tied at 17:40 in close.