Feb 12, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward (30) makes a save on New Jersey Devils right wing Stephen Gionta (11) during the third period at the Prudential Center. The Hurricanes defeated the Devils 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
The Carolina Hurricanes traveled to Newark, New Jersey to take on the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night. Despite coming back from down 4-1, the Carolina Hurricanes fell to the New Jersey Devils 5-4 in regulation.
Scoring Summary
The New Jersey Devils started the scoring at 4:25 of the first period. After winning a board battle with Jaromir Jagr, Tuomo Ruutu set up Travis Zajac with a beautiful pass. Zajac then finished out front of Anton Khudobin. Tuomo Ruutu and Jaromir Jagr got the assists.
Jeff Skinner got the Carolina Hurricanes on the board at 6:21 of period two. Andrej Sekera took a slap shot that went wide of the net, and Jeff Skinner was able to chip it in off Martin Broduer after it bounced off the end wall. Andrej Sekera and Eric Staal got the assists.
1:13 later, the Devils struck again. Damien Brunner scored a power play goal for the New Jersey Devils as they reclaimed a one goal lead. Marek Zidlicky and Travis Zajac got the assists.
The New Jersey Devils took a two goal lead 23 seconds later following a Mike Komisarek turnover. Ryan Clowe pick pocketed Mike Komisarek, and he sprung Adam Henrique for a breakaway goal. Ryan Clowe got the assist on the goal that made it 4-1. Cam Ward replaced Anton Khudobin after the goal.
The Carolina Hurricanes scored their first power play goal since the Olympic break at 13:24 of the second period. Jay Harrison, yes Jay Harrison, ripped home a rebound in the slot to get the Canes back in the game. Jordan Staal and Alexander Semin got the assists.
Nathan Gerbe scored on a shorthanded breakaway to make it 4-3 at 4:41 of period three. Jordan Staal intercepted a pass in the Canes zone, and he sprung Gerbe for a breakaway goal. Jordan Staal got the assist.
Alex Semin tied the game at four with a beauty. Semin was in the slot, and he spun around and got it bottom right corner on Martin Brodeur. Manny Malhotra got the assist.
Tuomo Ruutu’s first goal as a Devil would end up being the game winner. Ruutu sniped a loose puck in the slot top-glove side on Cam Ward. Marek Zidlicky and Travis Zajac got the assists.
Game Analysis
The Carolina Hurricanes played well against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night, but they made a few big mistakes in route to their 5-4 loss in Newark.
Anton Khudobin started the game and played well, but the Carolina Hurricanes made crucial defensive errors which led to four goals in two periods. Cam Ward came in relief and played very well. The third period was one of Cam’s best periods in a very long time. If Cam Ward can build off this game, it will help the Carolina Hurricanes immensely. I expect him to start for the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night against the New York Rangers.
In the third period, Kirk Muller did some interesting line juggling that put Jordan Staal with Eric Staal and Alexander Semin on the first line and Andrei Loktionov with Jeff Skinner and Elias Lindholm on the second line.
These line changes worked for the first line. They really played well, and they almost tied the game at five late in period three. The third line was fine, but I think the Carolina Hurricanes need to put a big center/winger with Jeff Skinner and Elias Lindholm in order for that line to work. At 5’10”, Andrei Loktionov doesn’t fit in that category.
Speaking of Andrei Loktionov, he played well against his old team. As the game progressed, he started to play better offensively and on the power play.
The Carolina Hurricanes get a couple days off before they take on the New York Rangers on Tuesday night on home ice. The Canes lost to the Rangers 4-2 on Friday night.