Game 2 on Tuesday night (April 22) was a big one for the Carolina Hurricanes as they were looking to go up 2-0 on the New Jersey Devils. It seemed that the Devils had the momentum for the first seven minutes of the game. Jesper Bratt scored under four minutes into the game, and the first period ended with the visitors up 1-0. However, once the second period started, it was all Hurricanes as they came back to win the contest 3-1 and have put all of the pressure on the Devils as the series heads to New Jersey. That being said, what stood out in the team’s victory?
Takeaway #1: Jordan Martinook’s Takeover
If you’re the Devils, you have to hate playing against Jordan Martinook. Tuesday night saw him put two more points against them to make his lore against them even more remarkable. He has managed to put at least a point up in seven-consecutive playoff games, spanning back to Round 2 in 2023. Martinook has four goals and 13 points over that stretch against them, which is something that people are shocked to read. He “continues to beat the Devil,” as play-by-play announcer Mike Maniscalco put it after Martinook’s game-winning shorthanded goal to give the Hurricanes a 2-1 lead.
Related: Hurricanes Defeat Devils 3-1 to Take 2-0 Series Lead
Martinook had five shots on goal over 14:38 of ice time in Game 2. Furthermore, he had one registered block, but it felt like he had way more when it came to his defensive prowess and willingness to sell out. When asked about Martinook’s play on and off the scoresheet for Carolina, head coach Rod Brind’Amour stated postgame, “I can’t think of enough good things to say about that game in particular, which might have been his most impactful game as a Hurricane. He’s had a bunch, especially in big moments. Obviously the goal was huge, but if you watched, there were tons of blocked shots, the play even at the end of the game. A special play there to get the empty-netter. He was all over this game for us.”
The alternate captain continues to show why he is well-loved by Hurricanes fans and why he will be in Raleigh until 2027 after signing his three-year deal this past offseason. While he is known for his defensive style of play as a winger, he can score when it’s needed the most. His two-way game, backchecking, and physicality gives him the chance to take the tough assignments of stopping the other team’s best players. That is why he and captain Jordan Staal have been working so well together over the last couple of seasons. Their shutdown style of play makes it hard to play against them. When his hard work is paid off in games like this, it just means more.
Takeaway #2: Frederik Andersen Shuts the Door, Again
Just like in Game 1, Frederik Andersen was a brick wall in the Hurricanes’ crease. He only allowed one goal while making 25 of 26 saves to preserve the win, his second of the series. It was the first time since the 2024 plaayoffs that Andersen started in consecutive games. After Bratt’s goal in the first period, he was dialled in, making 10-bell saves over and over again for the rest of the night. In Game 1, The Great Dane, as he is called, saved 23 of 24 shots to tally a .958 save percentage (SV%) and a 1.00 goals against average (GAA) and is carrying a 1.00 GAA and a .960 SV% in the series so far. If there is someone who has stood tall for the Hurricanes all series, it’s been Andersen.
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It will be interesting to see where the Hurricanes go for Game 3 on Friday, in New Jersey. While they don’t want to overuse Andersen after swapping starts since returning from injury on Jan. 20 against the Chicago Blackhawks, do they want to take the hotter goalie out of the net? The decision will come down to how Brind’Amour and goalie coach Paul Schonfelder feel about using Andersen for a third-consecutive game. What does help is that the Hurricanes are off Wednesday and Thursday, with a practice Thursday before they head out to Newark Thursday afternoon.
Either way, Andersen has been solid and no matter who they name as Game 3 starter, the Dane has been a constant, calming presence in goal to help secure the 2-0 series lead. If he keeps this up for the rest of Round 1 and however long this playoff run goes, he could he have a case for the Conn Smythe.
Takeaway #3: Special Teams Prevail, Again
While the Hurricanes did not score a power-play goal like Game 1, Game 2 saw the penalty kill unit go three for three on the night. What was more impressive is that Martinook’s shorthanded goal was the massive boost the team needed. The goal was the game-winning marker, and it gave the term “power kill” more meaning. The Hurricanes’ penalty kill was first in the NHL, and it once again showed why it’s been the best over the last two seasons. Seth Jarvis alone had five shorthanded goals in the regular season, and the shorthanded personnel is now making its presence felt in the playoffs. It seems like the penalty kill is stronger and more effective than the power play, which has to put a smile on assistant coach Tim Gleason’s face as he runs the Hurricanes’ penalty-kill units.
They are now five-for-five on the penalty kill and have a shorthanded goal to their ledger. If there is something that can help propel the Hurricanes forward for a deep playoff run, it’s their penalty kill with their ability to shut down the other teams’ power plays. Two things that any team needs to be successful in the playoffs is the ability to win is on the road and to have a strong power play. If the Hurricanes can have both, they will be able to win more series as the playoffs continue.
Onto Game 3
Now the focus turns to Game 3 on Friday, which will determine if the series goes to 3-0 or 2-1. Expect it to be a hostile crowd on the road, but don’t underestimate the Hurricanes as they are digging deep to win games and are in full control after two wins in Raleigh.
