After missing an early open-net opportunity, Jesper Fast redeemed himself in the best way possible, sending the Carolina Hurricanes to the Eastern Conference final and eliminating the New Jersey Devils.
Fast deflected Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s shot on a power play 7:09 into overtime, securing the Hurricanes’ 3-2 victory in Game 5 and a 4-1 series win.
Fast’s deflection in front of Devils goalie Akira Schmid marked Carolina’s first lead of the game and capped a comeback from two one-goal deficits in the first tight contest of the second-round series.
The game-winning play came after New Jersey’s Jonas Siegenthaler was penalized for delay of game, and Fastback on the power play for just his second game—capitalized to send the home crowd into a frenzy.
“I know he was frustrated earlier,” Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin said, “but to come through like that in the end was huge for him.”
Slavin and Brent Burns also scored for Carolina, while Frederik Andersen made 27 saves.
This victory sends the Hurricanes to their first Eastern Conference final since 2019, during coach Rod Brind’Amour’s first season. Despite multiple injuries to key forwards, Carolina has powered through two playoff rounds and now awaits the winner of the Florida-Toronto series, with the Panthers leading 3-1.
“We’re building memories here, and these guys are giving them to me,” Brind’Amour said, referencing his time as captain during Carolina’s 2006 Stanley Cup win.
Dawson Mercer and Timo Meier scored for New Jersey, and Schmid made 36 saves. After getting dominated in the series’ first two games, the Devils showed resilience but ultimately fell short.
The first four games had been blowouts, each decided by at least four goals. This one was much closer and filled with drama.
New Jersey’s playoff journey this year marked a return to contention. After finishing one point behind the Hurricanes in the Metropolitan Division, the Devils defeated the New York Rangers in seven games for their first playoff series win since 2012.
“We gave everything we had,” said Devils coach Lindy Ruff. “We had our chances, but they just capitalized.”
Key Missed Opportunities
Both teams had missed chances that loomed large as the game pushed into overtime.
Seth Jarvis hit the post early for the Hurricanes, and Paul Stastny set up Fast in front of the net, only for Fast to shoot over the wide-open goal.
“You’ve got to have a short memory,” Fast said of his missed opportunity. “It was tough, but I had to focus on the next shift.”
Meier missed a critical chance in the second period on the Devils’ side, sending the puck through the crease with the net wide open after a flurry of passes near the Hurricanes’ goal.
“When Timo missed that empty net, I thought it might come back to haunt us,” Ruff said.
Injuries Impact Devils
Ruff revealed that Devils star Jack Hughes was battling an upper-body injury and wasn’t expected to play. Hughes managed just 14:16 of ice time and registered one shot.
“I’m going to give him a lot of credit,” Ruff said. “I didn’t think he was going to make it tonight.”
Game Notes
- Michael McLeod made a key defensive play late in the third, preventing Fast from scoring into an empty net after Schmid lost the puck behind the net.
- Carolina outshot New Jersey 39-29.
- The Devils went 1-for-24 on the power play this season against the Hurricanes before Meier’s goal.
- Jordan Martinook, who went scoreless in the first round, tallied 10 points in this series, assisting on Slavin’s second-period goal.
- Buffalo Bills running back Nyheim Hines sounded the pregame siren to fire up the home crowd.
Carolina now looks ahead to the Eastern Conference final as they continue their quest for another Stanley Cup.
