Newark, N.J. — The New Jersey Devils secured a vital 3-2 win against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night, thanks to Simon Nemec`s game-winning goal scored just 2:36 into the second overtime period.
New Jersey`s goals in regulation came from Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom made 25 saves throughout the game. This victory cuts the Hurricanes` series lead to 2-1, providing the Devils with a crucial lifeline after dropping the first two games on the road.
For Carolina, Seth Jarvis and Sebastian Aho were the goal scorers. Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen stopped 34 shots.
Adding to the highlight reel, New Jersey Devils rookie defenseman Simon Nemec demonstrated impressive skill, maneuvering past Carolina defenders before beating Frederik Andersen with a shot under his arm to register his first career playoff goal and secure the double-overtime win.
Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday, returning to Prudential Center in Newark. Game 5 will take place on Tuesday night in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The first overtime period saw scoring chances for both sides, with goaltenders making significant saves and defenders blocking shots. New Jersey held an 8-2 advantage in shots during this frame and had two power play opportunities.
Dawson Mercer extended the Devils` lead to 2-0 early in the third period (1:17). Following a pad save by Andersen on Jesper Bratt`s driving attempt, Mercer retrieved the puck from behind the net. His initial attempt to tuck it in from the left side missed, but Andersen, diving to recover, inadvertently knocked the puck across the goal line with his stick.
Seth Jarvis put the Hurricanes on the scoreboard with a power-play goal from the right circle at 6:11 of the third period.
Sebastian Aho tied the game, also on the power play, with 7:40 remaining in the third. Jacob Markstrom came out to stop a shot from Andrei Svechnikov. Svechnikov recovered the rebound and passed to Aho in the right circle, who fired the puck past Devils defenders Jonas Siegenthaler and Nico Hischier in front of the net.
Markstrom made a key glove save on Jesperi Kotkaniemi`s shot in the final 25 seconds of regulation, ensuring the tie and forcing overtime.
The Devils welcomed back defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler, who played for the first time since February 4th. However, they continued to be without Luke Hughes and Brenden Dillon for the second consecutive game. The team faced another challenge on the blue line when defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic did not return after the first intermission.
New Jersey started strongly, registering the game`s first five shots. Carolina`s first shot didn`t come until 9:06 elapsed in the first period when Markstrom turned away Logan Stankoven during a power play that was nearing its end.
Timo Meier set up Nico Hischier, who was driving towards the net. Hischier appeared to lose control as he attempted to move the puck to his forehand, but it fortunately slid across the goal line on the left side, giving the Devils a 1-0 lead with 3:49 remaining in the first period. This marked New Jersey`s third goal of the series and Hischier`s second.
The Devils nearly increased their lead late in the second period during a chaotic moment in front of Andersen, but the Carolina goaltender, down on his stomach, managed to glove Meier`s attempt from the left side with 6:04 left in the period.
Tristan Blackwood