The Carolina Hurricanes are now just one victory away from advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Following their double-overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils in Game 3, the Hurricanes responded strongly in Game 4, securing a decisive 5-2 win. This victory puts Carolina in a commanding 3-1 series lead, pushing the Devils to the brink of elimination.
A key to the Hurricanes` Game 4 success was their emphasis on a quick start, a point highlighted by veteran forward Jordan Martinook after the team`s slow starts in the previous two games, where the Devils had scored first. Carolina delivered on this goal, opening the scoring less than a minute into the game when Andrei Svechnikov found the net from the right circle.
Svechnikov continued his strong performance, scoring again early in the second period by deflecting a Seth Jarvis shot. He sealed his second career playoff hat trick with an empty-net goal late in the third. These goals brought Svechnikov`s career playoff total to 19, tying him with head coach Rod Brind`Amour for second place on the Hurricanes` all-time playoff goals list. Jacob Slavin also contributed to the win, scoring his first goal of the playoffs in this game.
Andrei Svechnikov`s impressive three-goal performance was a highlight for the Carolina Hurricanes offense in their first-round series Game 4 win against the New Jersey Devils.
Tristan Blackwood