3 Takeaways From Hurricanes’ 4-3 Overtime Win Over Golden Knights

After losing Game 1, 5-4, on Tuesday night (June 2), the Carolina Hurricanes went into overtime again in Game 2, like the previous three rounds. This time, however, it was not a 3-2 win; it was a 4-3 win to even the Stanley Cup Final at one game apiece.

Takeaway #1: Seth Jarvis Game-Winner to Secure First Win Since 2006

If there was someone who needed redemption after missing a crucial goal in Game 1, it was Seth Jarvis. Before the Vegas Golden Knights scored their fifth goal, Jarvis had a wide-open net with Carter Hart out of position. But a bouncing puck gave him some trouble, and he sailed it high. That was one he wanted back.

Thankfully, in Game 2, the moment came back to him once again, and this time, he did not miss his opportunity. He secured the win with his fourth goal of the playoffs and his first-ever Stanley Cup Final goal. Furthermore, his game-winning goal gave the Hurricanes their first win in the Cup Final since 2006.

When asked about giving the Hurricanes their first Stanley Cup Final win in 20 years, Jarvis stated, “Yeah, it’s big. You never want to lose two at home. To get that one is really big for the group. As you said, it carries us into Vegas and keeps it going.”

If there was a time for Jarvis to score a goal to silence the critics, this was the time to do so. Now the series heads to Las Vegas tied 1-1, with a chance to take one on the road to make up for Game 1.

Takeaway #2: No Quit in These Hurricanes

For the first time in 82 years, the Hurricanes were able to win a Stanley Cup Final game, down by multiple goals, with less than 10 minutes left in a game. The last time it was done was by the 1944 Montreal Canadiens. Furthermore, the Hurricanes erased a two-goal deficit and took the lead with three unanswered goals in 5:05.

It was Logan Stankoven‘s 10th of the playoffs that got the Hurricanes going. It was the “junkyard dog” mentality that his line has brought all season, especially in the playoffs. It was a goal that was desperately needed for the Hurricanes, who trailed for most of the game. It then sparked a sequence of events that saw Mark Jankowski score his first of the playoffs to tie the game. Following those two goals, it was Jordan Staal scoring his second goal in two games to take the lead.

Staal became the second-oldest player in NHL history to score in the first two Stanley Cup Final games. His 37 years and 267 days follow Larry Robinson, who was 37 years and 349 days in 1989. Those three goals really carried the Hurricanes, even after the Golden Knights tied it to force overtime. In the end, the Hurricanes won in overtime to go 6-0 in the playoffs in bonus time hockey.

Rod Brind’Amour, during the team’s off-day media availability, stated, “I think we’re confident because we know we can be better. If we had played our best game and had that outcome, I think there would be a different feel. It was kind of similar to the last series, where there were a lot of areas we didn’t like in our game, and you’re just not going to win when you don’t play to your abilities. You have to give the other team a lot of credit. They’re making you not play that way. It’s not just happening — we’re trying. But we do have to be sharper in a lot of areas. I think that’s the positive, we definitely have room to get better.”

When it came down to it, his team did play better in Game 2, even if they had to push through some stifling Golden Knights defense. They stuck to their system, not wavering from it, and found a way to get the win.

Takeaway #3: Series Tied as it Heads to the Desert

Now that the Hurricanes took Game 2, it’s a wash as they head to Las Vegas with a 1-1 series and a chance to take a lead. They dropped Game 1 and will be seeking to take a road win of their own. It’ll come down to making more adjustments and sticking to their style against the Golden Knights.

The Golden Knights will be looking to push back and secure home ice. Regarding Vegas, they don’t want the Hurricanes to win Game 3 on Saturday and carry the momentum into Game 4. Losing one game is one thing, but losing two in a row, especially at home, could breathe life into the Hurricanes. For the Hurricanes, it’s keeping the foot on the gas, taking what they did in Game 2 and replicating it in Game 3.

The series shifts to Las Vegas, where anything can happen. We know for sure the series will return to Raleigh for Game 5 on June 11. Who knows what the series will look like by then. Either way, we got a series, and it’s going to be a thrilling one if Games 1 and 2 showcased what we could be in store for as we continue in the Stanley Cup Final.