The goals were dense in the second periods of the NHL playoffs last night. Dallas scored four goals in the middle period in a 6–3 win over Seattle. Carolina was even sharper than that – the Hurricanes scored five goals in the second period in a 6-1 victory over New Jersey.
Dallas received good news even before the first down: Miro Heiskanen was back on the ice. The Finnish star defender had suspended the previous game after being hit in the face by a puck. Heiskanen had a serious bruise on his cheek and played the match with a full visor.
Heiskanen was his old self on the ice and scored 0+2 as Dallas tied the series against Seattle at 2-2 in games.
Miro Heiskanen protected his face with a full-covering visor.
Bild: Magazine photo
Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars
Heiskane’s teammate Roope Hintz continues to shine in the playoffs. He provided an elegant play for Jamie Benn’s equalizer to make it 1–1 and scored the 5–1 goal himself.
The 26-year-old Hintz has accounted for 6+9 during the spring’s ten playoff games and is in second place in the playoff scoring.
Final score
1. Leon Draisaitl EDM 13+4=17
2. Roope Hintz DAL 6+9=15
3. Connor McDavid EDM 5+10=15
4. Matthew Tkachuk FLA 5+10=15
5. Evan Bouchard EDM 3+11=14
Another big win for the Hurricanes
Carolina took a big step toward the conference finals by defeating New Jersey 6–1 on the road. The Hurricanes lead the series 3-1 in games and can secure an advancement on home ice Friday night Finnish time.
Carolina has clearly been better than the Devils in the series so far. The first game ended 5–1 and the second 6–1 in favor of the Hurricanes. Carolina has scored 21 goals in the series to just 11 goals for New Jersey.
– The match was decided within five minutes. Otherwise, we played far from perfect, says Carolina head coach Rod Brind’Amour.
Deglaciation in the middle period
Game four was decided in the second period. Carolina scored no fewer than five goals in the middle period. Jordan Martinook was the guests’ big match winner with 1+3.
– It feels good to deliver points, but the important thing is that we are now leading 3-1 in matches. In the last match, we left our goalkeeper wind to wave, but today we slowly but surely took over the game, says Martinook.
– We did what we were looking for. It was nice to see that everyone contributed to the victory and won duels, says Carolina team captain Jordan Staal, who played until two goals in the match.
The Hurricanes’ Finn kept a low profile in the scoring record. Jesperi Kotkaniemi played up to Brent Burns’ 5–1 goal, but Sebastian Aho left the pitch scoreless.
Jesse Puljujärvi was benched and followed the match from the stands. Puljujärvi started the playoffs as a bench wearer but got the chance when Carolina suffered injuries. Now he is at least temporarily out of the playing squad again.
Source: AP
Video images: Viaplay
NHL Playoffs:
New Jersey – Carolina 1-6
Erik Haula NJD 0+0, -1, 16.06
Jesperi Kotkaniemi CAR 0+1, +3, 13.50
Sebastian Aho CAR 0+0, +/- 0, 20.10
Carolina leads the series 3–1 in games.
Seattle – Dallas 3–6
Eeli Tolvanen SEA 0+0, +/- 0, 13.51
Miro Heiskanen DAL 0+2, -2, 31.02
Exa Lindell DAL 0+1, +1, 19.32
Roope Hintz DAL 1+1, +/- 0, 17.59
Joel Kiviranta DAL 0+1, +1, 12.32
The series is 2–2 in matches
