NHL: Canes overcome Andersen’s injury in net, pull away from Devils late for 3-1 series lead

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Even with a 2-1 series lead heading into Sunday’s Game 4 of their first round, Stanley Cup Playoffs series against the New Jersey Devils, the Carolina Hurricanes lost a bunch of momentum after Friday’s overtime loss.

On Sunday, Carolina jumped out to a 2-goal lead early in the first period. The Canes tallied a third in the second period, but New Jersey responded with two quick tallies,

Despite the second-period momentum swing, Carolina left Newark with a 5-2 victory and one game away from advancing to the second round.

The Canes won Sunday’s game despite a second-period injury to starting goaltender Frederik Andersen, who fell on his back after a collision with Devils winger Timo Meier.

Carolina then put backup goalie Pyotr Kochetkov in net who, despite struggling in recent appearances, only allowed one goal Sunday. Kochetkov saved 14 of the 15 shots he faced, recording a .933 save percentage.

Brent Burns gave the Canes a little breathing room late in the third period, scoring his first postseason goal and extending his team’s advantage to 4-2. Andrei Svechnikov completed the hat trick with an empty-netter, quickly emptying the Prudential Center seats and sending Carolina’s bench into a loud cheer.

Svech scored his first two goals in helping the Canes build a 3-0 advantage. Carolina defenseman Jaccob Slavin scored his first postseason goal in the first period, while Meier and captain Nico Hischier scored for New Jersey.

When do the Canes play next?

Carolina looks to close its first round series out on Tuesday, April 29 with a 7:30 p.m. faceoff. Do the Devils re-gain momentum and force a Game 6, or can the Canes finish the job?