Kotkaniemi scores twice as Hurricanes rout Devils for 2-0 series lead

Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored twice in roughly two-and-a-half minutes during Carolina's four-goal second period, Frederik Andersen stopped 28 shots and the Hurricanes beat the visiting New Jersey Devils 6-1 on Friday night for a 2-0 lead in their second-round playoff series.

Jordan Staal and Martin Necas also scored in that blow-it-open second, which turned a scoreless game between the top two regular-season teams still alive in the playoffs into a romping Hurricanes win with the backing of another rowdy home crowd.

Jordan Martinook and Stefan Noesen added clinching goals in the third period to cap another dominant night for Carolina.

Miles Wood scored for the Devils early in the third, but Andersen was strong in his third straight post-season start for Carolina going back to the Round 1 win against the New York Islanders.

The Devils return home to host Game 3 on Sunday, facing an 0-2 hole for the second straight best-of-seven series. They lost the first two games at home by 5-1 scores in the first round against the New York Rangers before rallying to advance with Monday's Game 7 clincher.

This time, they've been outscored 11-2 through two games.

2:23 later, Jesperi pots No. ✌️ on the evening. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StanleyCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StanleyCup</a><br><br>