Yongtalong: Recap: Fast Sends Canes To Eastern Conference Final

RALEIGH, NC. - Jesper Fast played hero in overtime once again for the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, this time netting the series-clinching goal in a 3-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils.

BOX SCORE | HIGHLIGHTS

The Story

With the series returning to Raleigh after the two sides split their pair of games in Newark, the Metropolitan Division Champions had their first opportunity to end the best-of-seven set, entering with a 3-1 lead.

Turning to Frederik Andersen between the pipes for a sixth consecutive affair, Lindy Ruff and the Devils staff went back to Akira Schmid after Vitek Vanecek was pulled in Game 4.

When the action began, Carolina was ready to go, creating chance after chance and knocking on the door on the game-opening tally. However, despite momentum trending all in the direction of the home club in the opening 10-15 minutes, it was New Jersey getting the first goal.

The lone marker of the opening stanza came through the Devils bread and butter, the transition game, with a streaking Dawson Mercer beating his man and tapping a feed home.

But when play resumed for the second period, the Canes got back to their attacking ways and found the equalizer via Jaccob Slavin.

Pucks on net! pic.twitter.com/dEP1sdL6YQ
- Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) May 12, 2023

Coming just 50 seconds into the frame, the tally energized Carolina, but New Jersey had a strong counterpunch to it.

The following 15 minutes were almost completely dominated by the visitors, this time taking their turn in generating offense and creating look after look. Timo Meier tapped home a power play goal just minutes later to give the Devils their lead back, and they continued pushing beyond that.

At one point it felt as if they could have had a lead of 4-1 or more, but thankfully, that reality never came to light. Thanks to a combination of missing the net, saves from Andersen, and shots not taken, their advantage remained just one.

Still trailing 2-1, it looked like Carolina was going to head to the third trailing once again and they were going to be forced to find some offense in the final 20 minutes.

Instead, Brent Burns found a timely goal for his group.

Video: NJD@CAR, Gm5: Burns fires a shot into net from deep

Creating a late-frame spark, the Canes then followed it up with another Grade-A chance that nearly sent them to the third ahead themselves.

Alas, the game moved forward at 2-2 and it remained as such after the final 20 minutes of regulation.

Forcing the first overtime of the series between the two sides, a delay of game penalty to New Jersey's Jonas Siegenthaler just 5:36 in sent Rod Brind'Amour's group to the man advantage, presenting a golden opportunity. And it turned out to be one they wouldn't make a mistake on.

After the first unit wasn't able to capitalize, the second unit hit the ice, and a Jesperi Kotkaniemi shot glanced off of Jesper Fast, sending PNC Arena into pure jubilation.

JESPER FAST SERIES WINNER IN OT 🚨 pic.twitter.com/pdi3Mkx1tq
- Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) May 12, 2023

They Said It

Jesper Fast describing being on the power play, after he had just been put back onto the unit ahead of Tuesday's Game 4, and his summary of the game-winner...

"I'm not used to being there, but I'm happy they put me there. I just had to take advantage of the opportunity. I wasn't doing too much of the work, I was just being there in front of the net. I was just trying to screen the goalie and I got lucky, it went in."

Brent Burns offering his emotions on the team and them being rewarded with a chance to play in the Eastern Conference Final, despite all the injuries and the adversity we've faced this season...

"We're always in the moment. We play a simple game. We work hard. We're five men together and we just keep rolling. We've seen it all year. It's next man up. We always say the same thing, but it's been pretty special seeing guys come in at different times and compete. They fit in great. Good things happen and we keep going. It's been that thus far and it's going to have to continue."

Rod Brind'Amour speaking on how the team continues to have player after player step up, filling big moments...

"I don't think you can understate it. I don't know how many teams could have a whole top line out and be able to trudge along like we are. It says a lot about the guys that are now getting some credit. If you don't have them, you have no chance. I'm just really proud of the group. I'm just an old guy sitting behind the bench watching this and enjoying watching how hard everybody is working together. It's a great group."

"I knew it hit me. I haven't seen where yet, but I felt it, looked back, and it was in the net. Just a lot of happy emotions."

Jesper Fast when asked about the sequence of events on tonight's game-winning goal. 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/HVtzUXk2eX
- Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) May 12, 2023

Bonus Notes

Fast became the fourth player in franchise history with multiple overtime tallies in a single postseason joining Jordan Staal (2 in 2021), Niclas Wallin (2 in 2002) & Cory Stillman (2 in 2006).
Fast is just the fifth player to score multiple overtime goals in their career with the franchise. The others: Jordan Staal (3), Niclas Wallin (3), Cory Stillman (2) and Kevin Dineen (3).
Since the franchise relocated to Raleigh, only TBL (8) and PIT (6) have made more trips to the Conference Final.
Andersen finished the night 27/29 in net, advancing his record to 5-0 this postseason.