Logan Stankoven scored twice in the second period of his playoff debut as the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-1 on Sunday to open their first-round series.
Jalen Chatfield opened the scoring early in the first, and Andrei Svechnikov sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the final minutes. The Hurricanes outshot New Jersey 45-24 and led 3-0 before the Devils could respond, applying steady pressure and controlling play for most of the afternoon.
Frederik Andersen stopped 23 shots for Carolina and came up big midway through the third with a key save on Timo Meier. The Hurricanes also killed off a crucial Devils power play with about eight minutes remaining.
Nico Hischier netted New Jersey’s lone goal during a 4-on-4 situation in the second period, burying a cross-ice feed from Jesper Bratt.
Despite entering the playoffs having lost seven of their final eight regular-season games — many without key contributors — the Hurricanes looked energized and sharp on home ice. Coach Rod Brind’Amour’s gamble to rest players down the stretch paid off.
“There’s always that worry you’ll come out flat,” Brind’Amour said. “But clearly, we were ready. It was the right decision.”
Carolina’s second-period surge was led by Stankoven, who capitalized on a turnover forced by Jordan Martinook and then scored again on the power play with a blistering shot off the post.
“They play simple, hard hockey,” Hischier said of the Hurricanes. “We’ve got to match that.”
Jacob Markstrom finished with 41 saves for the Devils, who had a rough afternoon physically. Brenden Dillon left in the second period after colliding with Carolina’s William Carrier and did not return. Later, Luke Hughes was shaken up but returned, while Cody Glass left the ice after taking a stick to the head from Markstrom during a net-front scrum. Coach Sheldon Keefe said there was no update on Glass postgame.
“Second period, we were overwhelmed,” Keefe said. “That was not good enough. The third was better, but the damage was already done.”
Key Stats
- Carolina held a 45-24 advantage in shots.
- Stankoven recorded two goals in his playoff debut.
- Andersen made 23 saves for Carolina; Markstrom stopped 41 shots for New Jersey.
Looking Ahead
Game 2: The series continues Tuesday night in Raleigh as the Devils look to bounce back and even things up.
