Feb 20, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Clarkson (71) skates with the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes defensemen
Tim Gleason(6) during the 1st period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
#6. 2002 Eastern Conference Finals – Game 6
The Carolina Hurricanes entered game 6 of the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals with a 3-2 edge over the Toronto Maple Leafs, and they looked to finish things off in a hostile environment on the road.
Carolina had a late 1-0 lead thanks to a goal from Jeff O’Neill mid-way through period three, and it looked like things were about to be set for them coming out of the Eastern Conference. That was until Maple Leaf legend Mats Sundin put a rebound home with 21.8 seconds to go in regulation. The goal sent the two squads to overtime.
Just over 8 minutes into an exciting overtime, the Carolina Hurricanes got the puck deep into the Leafs’ zone. Toronto got back and attempted to clear it around the board. Canes forward Josef Vasicek intercepted the clearing attempt and threw it to the front of the net to the game’s hero, Martin Gelinas, who put the puck past Curtis Joseph and secured the team’s first trip to the Stanley Cup Finals.
This game was an exciting goaltending duel from start to finish. Both teams could have put up 3 or 4 goals, but both Curtis Joseph and Canes starter Arturs Irbe made miraculous stops and kept their opponents at bay.
The win sent Carolina to the finals where they’d go on to battle the Detroit Red Wings for the Stanley Cup.
Next: 2009 Eastern Conference Semifinals - Game 7