Both the regulation goals came in the 1st period as New Jersey lost game 2 at home to the Carolina Hurricanes in overtime. The Canes' Tim Gleason scored his first goal in 70 games as Carolina took the game to the Devils in the extra stanza. The Devils who had been solid for most of the game, seemed to sag in OT, allowing Carolina to outshoot them 5-0 in the overtime period.
In the four playoff series the teams have played this was the fifth game that went to overtime and Carolina has now won all 5 of those games. Maybe the Hurricanes should just try to stay even with the Devils until overtime when they seem to command the Devils. In all 5 of those Carolina victories, Martin Brodeur was in net for the Devils, who has a record of 11-20 in overtime contests, perhaps the only weak link in the allstar goalie's game.
The New Jersey team lost their captain Jamie Langenbrunner possibly out for Game 3 when he took a slap shot off his ankle blocking a shot midway through the 2nd period and Langanbrunner didn't return.
Carolina almost won the game about a minute before Gleason scored on a similar play. Canes defenseman Joni Pitkanen fired a shot from the left circle that appeared to bounce off a New Jersey defenseman and Carolina's captain Rod Brind'Amour before hitting the post behind Brodeur.
The Devils looked like they might put together a repeat of the series opener that they dominated. Zach Parise had a goal called back because of a high stick, but moments later he deflected a shot for a power play goal ten minutes into the 1st period. Carolina's Eric Staal tied it with seconds remaining in the first when Ray Whitney's shot off the endboards and Staal pounced on the puck and fired it into the net past Brodeur.
Now, with the series tied 1-1, it's off to Carolina where the Hurricanes have been almost unbeatable for the last 10-15 games.
GAME 3: @Carolina, Sun. Apr. 19, 7:30 pm
GAME 4: @Carolina, Tue. Apr. 21, 7:30 pm
GAME 5: @New Jersey, Thu. Apr. 23, 7:30 pm
*GAME 6: @Carolina, Sun. Apr. 26, TBD
*GAME 7: @New Jersey, Tue. Apr. 28, 7:30 pm
* if necessary; all times Eastern
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