3 Takeaways From Hurricanes’ 3-2 Double Overtime Win Over Senators

Unlike Game 1, where the Carolina Hurricanes won 2-0 in a shutout victory, Game 2 was chaotic as it gets. Between a plethora of missed calls on both sides, an overturned overtime game-winning goal, which led to a penalty shot, this game had everything. In the end, the Hurricanes take a 2-0 series lead over the Ottawa Senators after winning 3-2 in double overtime. That said, what are the main takeaways from Game 2?

Takeaway #1: Jordan Martinook Wins The Marathon

After his penalty shot was saved in the first overtime, which came following an overturned Mark Jankowski goal for a supposed offside, Jordan Martinook played the overtime hero for the Hurricanes in double overtime. The Hurricanes were able to hem the Senators in their own zone as the second overtime was winding down, with some great puck possession. To set up the Martinook goal, Nikolaj Ehlers was able to hold onto the puck and force the Senators to pay attention to him, leaving Martinook in the slot wide open.

With a brilliant screen by Jordan Staal, Martinook was able to beat Linus Ullmark over his glove side shoulder and win the game for the Hurricanes. Ullmark had no way of seeing it, and after almost five periods, the Hurricanes take a 2-0 series lead back to Ottawa on Thursday night. The hero was Martinook when it mattered most in the playoffs.

Takeaway #2: The Second Line Does it Again

What else is there to say about the line of Logan Stankoven, Taylor Hall, and Jackson Blake? Just like in Game 1 on Saturday, the trio linked up again. This time, in the first period, to give the Hurricanes another 1-0 lead in back-to-back games. Unlike Game 1, the Stankoven goal, his second in four periods, came on the power play, giving the three players nine points combined in the series.

Blake now has three assists, Stankoven with two goals and an assist, and Hall with a goal and two assists. If there was a dominant line for both teams so far through two games, it’s the second line for the Hurricanes. To combine for nine goals through two games is unreal to begin a series. Furthermore, Stankoven is on a 10-game point streak, while scoring nine goals in his last 10 games.

Takeaway #3: Hurricanes Take 2-0 Series Lead to Ottawa

While it did take almost five periods to decide a winner, the Hurricanes were able to cash in on the goal to secure the Game 2 victory. They will be taking a 2-0 series lead back to Ottawa for Game 3 on Thursday, April 23. While Game 2 wasn’t the prettiest for the Hurricanes, especially in the second period, where they gave up two goals to the Senators, if they can tighten up the defense a bit in the middle frame, they have a shot to take a stranglehold on the series on Thursday night.

The Hurricanes will need to not play loose and turn the puck over. Unfortunately for them, the second period has been their Achilles heel this season, and Game 2 showed that. However, Game 1 did have a better second period. If they can manage that, there will be a ton of pressure on the Senators in Game 3 on Thursday.

The Hurricanes will have Tuesday and Wednesday off before taking on the Senators in Game 3. If they can manage to win that one on Thursday, they will have a stranglehold on the series. Will the Hurricanes go back to Frederik Andersen in the crease, or will they go to Brandon Bussi? It’ll be interesting to see what happens on Thursday after a chaotic Game 2 on Monday night.