Hurricanes defeat Devils in Game 2, extend lead in Eastern 1st Round

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Frederik Andersen made 25 saves, and the Carolina Hurricanes extended their lead in the Eastern Conference First Round with a 3-1 win against the New Jersey Devils in Game 2 at Lenovo Center on Tuesday.

“You get ‘Freddie’ slamming the door back there. He came up with so many big saves tonight,” Carolina defenseman Jaccob Slavin said. “That’s the reason we won the game right there.”

Game 3 of the best-of-7 series will be at New Jersey on Friday (8 p.m. ET; TBS, MAX, FDSNSO, MSGSN, SN360, TVAS2).

Jordan Martinook had a short-handed goal and an assist for the Hurricanes, who are the No. 2 seed from the Metropolitan Division.

“It might have been his most impactful game as a Hurricane,” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “He’s had a bunch, especially in big moments. Obviously, the goal was huge, but he was all over this game for us.”

Jesper Bratt scored for the Devils, who are the No. 3 seed from the Metropolitan. Jacob Markstrom made 25 saves.

“The challenge remains the same. We need more volume of scoring chances, 5-on-5,” New Jersey coach Sheldon Keefe said. “There's not a lot there for us. We've done a good job. I mean, we've only given up three 5-on-5 goals in the series in two games but only scored one. So, losing that battle, losing the special teams battle, it's what got you in the hole.”

The Devils took a 1-0 lead at 3:51 of the first period. Andersen stopped Erik Haula's shot in close, but Bratt scored on the rebound at the top of the crease.

“From Game 1 to today, there's obviously a big step in our game,” Bratt said. “But I feel like we kind of found a recipe that we need to play and we need to stay at to be successful. And if we're continuing doing this night in and night out, it's going to go our way.”

The Hurricanes tied it 1-1 at 2:57 of the second period. Markstrom made a sprawling save on Shayne Gostisbehere from the right circle off a pass from Jackson Blake, but the defenseman followed his shot and roofed the rebound.

“I don’t really get too many shifts with that first line,” Gostisbehere said. “Obviously, they’re highly skilled. ‘Blaker’ made a great play and the puck squirted back out to me, and I luckily finished it.”

Carolina scored short-handed to take a 2-1 lead at 5:54. Martinook received a pass from Dmitry Orlov at the red line and skated to the left circle before scoring with a snap shot over Markstrom’s glove.

“There’s times that you can see the play developing, and the one tonight especially,” Martinook said. “It’s a scrum off the draw, and [the Devils] kind of get on the wrong side of it. ‘Orlie’ comes out and I can see that we’re on the good side of it. I know I can take off.”

Jarvis scored an empty-net goal with 37 seconds left for the 3-1 final.

Andersen was particularly strong in the third period. He made a left-pad save on Timo Meier’s one-timer before stopping Nathan Bastian’s shot from the slot at 13:52.

Andersen's appearances in Games 1 and 2 are his first consecutive starts this season.

“I try not to think too much about it,” Andersen said. “I just try to enjoy the moment, be ready when called upon. Just happy to play again and get to have another fun experience out there.”

NOTES: Teams that take a 2-0 lead in a best-of-7 series are 353-56 (.863) all-time, including 266-34 (.887) when starting at home. … New Jersey defensemen Luke Hughes and Brenden Dillon each missed the game after leaving Game 1 with an undisclosed injury. … Johnathan Kovacevic had seven hits for the Devils. Haula and Dawson Mercer each had six. … Andersen is 13-7 in the playoffs with Carolina, one win behind Arturs Irbe for the second-most in Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers history. … Martinook has 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in seven career playoff games against the Devils.