Andrei Svechnikov comes to life
When the series shifted to Newark for Games 3 and 4, I pointed to Andrei Svechnikov as someone who needed to start finding the scoresheet. What did he do in the final three games? He helped tie the game on the power play in Game 3, scored a hat trick in Game 4, and added another goal in Game 5. I'd say he more than contributed.
Svechnikov finished the series by leading all players with five goals. He was the only Hurricane who came out of the gates firing on Tuesday, outshooting his teammates in the first period. Svechnikov set a new career-high with nine shots in the series-clinching game, with his goal early in the second period capping the three-goal explosion to start the frame.
For the Canes to maintain their success, this needs to become the blueprint for Svechnikov. Even if he isn't scoring goals, finding ways to get on the scoresheet positively will make life a lot easier for the guys around him. Svechnikov was a persistent pest and thorn in Jacob Markstrom's side. The Devils' goalie was excellent, but he didn't have an answer for this Russian sniper.