ESPN News Services
Apr 30, 2025, 12:02 AM ET
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Sebastian Aho hammered a one-timer past Jacob Markstrom at 4:17 of the second overtime to help the Carolina Hurricanes defeat the New Jersey Devils 5-4 on Tuesday night to clinch their first-round playoff series and become the first team to advance into Round 2.
The score came with the Hurricanes on a four-minute power play on a double-minor high-sticking penalty by Dawson Mercer that sent Jesperi Kotkaniemi skating off to the tunnel with a towel to his face.
Aho provided the capper, the only lead the Hurricanes would have in a wild game that gave them a second series win over the Devils in the past three seasons.
The Hurricanes, who lost out on the Metropolitan Division title to the Washington Capitals, could have a chance to play them next round. Carolina will take on the winner of the series between the Capitals and the Montreal Canadiens, a series Washington leads, 3-1.
The series victory also means that Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour is the first coach in NHL history to win at least one postsesason series in each of his first seven seasons behind the bench.
Carolina won this game despite falling behind 3-0 in the first 10 minutes, but got back to its game in the second period, overpowering the short-handed Devils, who were without three regular defenseman, Luke Hughes, Brenden Dillon, and Johnathan Kovacevic.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
