Carolina hockey players won 6:1 over New Jersey thanks to Martin Nečas’ goal, and in the 2nd round of the NHL playoffs they lead 2:0 after home games. Vítek Vaněček caught the last third for the losers and collected two out of ten shots.
Carolina decided in the middle period, in which they broke the scoreless state with four goals. Jesperi Kotkaniemi led her to the win, who opened the scoring in the 22nd minute on the power play, and a moment later, after a jam in front of the New Jersey goal, he made his second attempt. Jordan Staal made it 3-0 with a backhand loop from the breakaway.
The fourth goal was scored first by Brady Skjei, but the referees called off his shot due to illegal blocking by the goalkeeper. .
Only the intervention of Nečas, who sent Jacob Slavin into the breakaway at the beginning of the goal action, was worth it. The home defender hit the post, but Shayne Gostisbehere got the rebounded puck and presented it to Nečas from the right side between the circles. The Czech forward missed at first, but on the second attempt he beat a disoriented Akira Schmid and scored his second goal in this year’s playoffs.
New Jersey put Vaněček in the goal from the last period, and Miles Wood gave the visitors hope with a shot from the circle in the 44th minute. But Carolina didn’t allow the opponent any more and, on the contrary, highlighted the win even more.
Vaneček was outwitted by Jordan Martinook from a solo attack, and Stefan Noesen finished off a two-on-one renumbering into the open goal. Visiting striker Ondřej Palát, just like in the last game, scored three negative points in +/- statistics.
The Devils started the series with two losses in the first round, in which they lost twice to the New York Rangers 1:5.
2. kolo play off NHL:
Eastern Conference – Game 2:
Carolina – New Jersey 6:1 (series status: 2:0)
