Jesper Fast deflected a shot from Jesperi Kotkaniemi at 7:09 of overtime to give the Carolina Hurricanes a 3-2 series-ending victory over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night.
Fast’s deflection while guarding Akira Schmid sparked a celebration for the Hurricanes, who never led until the final play and twice trailed by one goal before winning the best-of-seven series 4-1 to reach the NBA finals. Eastern Conference.
In the first tight game of the second round matchup, Fast made amends when he lobbed a puck over goal in front of an open net in the first period.
Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns also scored for Carolina, and Frederik Andersen made 27 saves.
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Jesperi Kotkaniemi #82 scores a goal with Carolina Hurricanes’ Jaccob Slavin #74 assisting against the New Jersey Devils during the second period of Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on 11 May 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Jaylynn Nash/Getty Images)
Dawson Mercer and Timo Meier scored for New Jersey. Schmid stopped 36 shots.
This marks Carolina’s first trip to the Eastern Conference final since 2019. The Hurricanes will face the winner of the Florida-Toronto series, with the Panthers leading that final 3-1.
The first four games of the series were filled with mixed results, each decided by at least four goals and an early chased starting goalie. Carolina won the first two home games by an 11-2 margin, then bounced back from a Game 3 loss by opening things up in the second period for a 6-1 road win Tuesday in Game 4.
The Hurricanes had been in this position in Round 1, with a chance to shut out the New York Islanders at home in Game 5. They lost that one and instead had to clinch the series with an overtime road win. in Game 6.
This time, they needed a dramatic ending to avoid a repeat.
The Devils’ departure comes in a season in which a young group reached the postseason earlier than expected.
New Jersey finished one point behind the Hurricanes in the Metropolitan Division for the league’s third-best point total (112) and the franchise’s first playoff appearance in five years, then topped rival New York Rangers in seven games. despite falling behind 0-2. for their first playoff series win since 2012.
The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate after a 3-2 overtime victory against the New Jersey Devils in game five of the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 11, 2023 in Raleigh, Carolina from North. (Cato Cataldo/NHLI via Getty Images)
OILERS NURSE DARNELL SUSPENDED FOR GAME 5 AFTER INSTIGING THE FIGHT
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
Both teams missed apparent easy plays that loomed large as the game progressed into overtime.
The Hurricanes’ early chances included a Seth Jarvis deflection that hit the right post at approximately 6 minutes. Paul Stastny then found Fast at the top of the box, only to see Fast lift the puck over the exposed net on a play that left him. him shaking his head in exasperation once back on the bench.
The Devils’ frustrating moment came in a wild second-quarter sequence.
Meier stole possession behind the Carolina net and began a happy pass sequence in which the puck went from Michael McLeod to Phil Hughes just outside the box, and then to Meier on the opposite side for a serving opportunity, only for see Meier send the disc. harmlessly through and out of the fold.
The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate after a goal during the second period against the New Jersey Devils in game five of the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs at PNC Arena on May 11, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)
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REMARKABLE
McLeod put in some great defensive play with about six and a half minutes to go in the third, dipping his stick in to thwart Fast’s empty goal attempt after Schmid lost the puck behind the net. … Carolina finished with a 39-29 shooting advantage. … The Devils were 1-for-24 on the power play this season against the Hurricanes before Meier’s goal in the second period. … Carolina’s Jordan Martinook assisted Slavin’s second-period goal, pushing him to 10 points in the series after a scoreless first round. … Former North Carolina State running back and current Buffalo Bills running back Nyheim Hines sounded the storm warning siren before the game for the hurricanes to take the ice.