The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-1 Sunday in Game 1 of their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series.
Logan Stankoven scored twice in the second period in his playoff debut with Carolina. Jalen Chatfield opened the scoring in the first period, helping the Hurricanes build a 3-0 lead.
Frederik Andersen stopped 23 shots for the Hurricanes.
Carolina dominated possession throughout the game, outshooting New Jersey 45-24.
“We wanted to come out strong and set the tone early,” said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour. “I thought our guys did a good job sticking to our game plan.”
Chatfield put Carolina ahead just 2:24 into the game with a shot from the point that beat Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom.
Stankoven, acquired at the trade deadline, extended the lead to 2-0 at 6:37 of the second period. Jordan Martinook forced Devils captain Nico Hischier into a turnover along the boards before feeding Stankoven for the goal.
The 21-year-old rookie struck again on the power play later in the period, blasting a shot off the inside of the left post to make it 3-0.
Hischier got New Jersey on the board during 4-on-4 play, converting Jesper Bratt’s cross-ice pass with a one-timer past Andersen.
Andrei Svechnikov sealed the win with an empty-net goal late in the third period.
The Hurricanes’ penalty kill came up big midway through the final frame, shutting down a Devils power play with about eight minutes remaining.
Markstrom finished with 41 saves in a losing effort for New Jersey.
The Devils suffered multiple injuries during the game. Defenseman Brenden Dillon left in the second period, while defenseman Luke Hughes and forward Cody Glass both exited after a collision in the third.
Carolina had struggled down the stretch, losing seven of eight games after clinching a playoff spot on April 3.
Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday in Raleigh.
