NHL Scores: Hurricanes dominate Devils again to take 2-0 lead in Stanley Cup Playoffs series

The Carolina Hurricanes made light work of the New Jersey Devils for the second straight game, winning 6-1 at PNC Arena to take a 2-0 lead in their second round matchup. Stanley Cup Games series. This comes on the heels of Carolina’s 5-1 blowout win in Game 1.

After a scoreless first period, the Hurricanes made four of their six goals in an electric second period. Jesperi Kotkaniemi got the party started with a wrist shot goal just 1:35 into the second, and he fired another wrist shot past Devils goalie Akira Schmid less than three minutes later. It is Kotkaniemi’s second two-goal performance in a postseason game.

Jordan Staal and Martin Necas accounted for the Hurricanes’ remaining two goals in the second period, both coming within the final three minutes. Jordan Martinook and Stefan Noesen surprised the Hurricanes’ offense by scoring their fifth and sixth goals of the game just after the midway point of the third period.

Miles Wood scored New Jersey’s only goal of the game at 3:50 of the third period, a bright spot in an otherwise difficult game for the Devils.

With the Hurricanes leading the series 2-0, they will have a chance to wrap it up at the Temperance Center, where Games 3 and 4 will be held. Carolina has proven more capable on the road this postseason, going 2-1 including a series-clinching overtime win against the New York Islanders in Game 6 of the first round.

Carolina coach Rob Brind’Amour has watched his team fall in the second round each of the past two seasons, and if the first two games of this series are any indication, it’s clearly not he takes his foot off the gas this time.

For more on the Stanley Cup Playoffs, here’s a look at all the scores.