Hurricanes rebound from loss to dominate Devils, take commanding 3-1 series lead

Jordan Martinook had a goal and two assists and the Carolina Hurricanes scored five times in the second period to beat the New Jersey Devils 6-1 in Newark on Tuesday night for a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal.

The Hurricanes have outscored New Jersey 17-3 in their three wins. The five goals in the second period were the most the Devils have given up in a period this season.

The Canes, who edged the Devils for the Metropolitan Division title, can wrap up the best-of-seven series Thursday night in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Despite being down 2-1, New Jersey seemed to have the momentum coming into Game 4. It posted a one-sided 8-4 win on Sunday and had things going their way after Hughes' early tip for his sixth goal of the postseason.

Things changed late in the opening period when Martinook set up Necas with a deft flip pass for shot in close that beat Vitek Vanecek.

Everything went the Hurricanes way in the second period. They got a couple of friendly bounces off Devils' sticks, and then poured it on as a time out by New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff and later a goaltender change to first-round hero Akira Schmid didn't change the luck.

Marty's hand-eye coordination on