*Photo from the Associated Press*
After two double overtime losses on the road, the Carolina Hurricanes were the home team, and got some overtime luck this time. Martin Necas scored twice, Jordan Staal potted the game winner, and the Hurricanes topped the Nashville Predators with a 3-2 overtime win Tuesday night.
For Staal, who scored the game winner, emotions make their way into his game frequently, but he usually doesn't show it, and is simply focused on getting the job done and getting his team a win. After scoring the overtime winning goal, however, he couldn't help but scream and open his arms to get mobbed by his teammates.
Jaccob Slavin said of Staal that "You see the emotion he had in the end. He doesn't always show it, but that's the emotion he puts into every single thing he does. He's a great leader on and off the ice. He's a beast on the ice, and off the ice he's a great guy, great leader and great teammate who is willing to do whatever it takes."
The Hurricanes started their scoring in the first period, when Necas scored on the power play, tying the game 1-1. 12:55 into the 3rd period, Necas scored his second goal of the night, making it a 2-2 game, which ended up forcing overtime. Then, 2:03 into overtime, Staal got a rebound chance and converted, giving Carolina a 3-2 win.
Alex Nedeljkovic got the victory for the Hurricanes, snapping his two game skid. Nedeljkovic saved 23 out of 25 shots as the Hurricanes took a 3-2 series lead against the Predators. They can win game 6 and punch their ticket to the second round on Thursday night.
Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said of the win that "I think we got rewarded tonight. We finally got a bounce, something that went our way that we really haven't had this series. It's that kind of goal you have to have every night."
Juuse Saros started in net for the Predators, saving 34 of 37 shots in the defeat, still putting up a strong outing. With the loss, Nashville is now one loss away from their season ending, so they need a win by any means necessary.
Nashville got the scoring started 11:44 into the game, when Yakov Trenin scored his first goal of the playoffs, making it 1-0 Predators to start. Trenin then scored again just 53 seconds into the second period, giving Nashville a 2-1 lead, before Carolina came back and won.
Predators captain Roman Josi said "It's such a tight series. There's a lot of chances on both sides, and they just found a way to score in OT tonight. It's a tough loss for us, but we're still in the series and we have to go home and win one."
Game 6 is on Thursday, with Nedeljkovic and Saros starting.
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