The Hurricanes were having a dreadful time on their power play for most of these playoffs — and all of this series — leading up to the third period of Game 2. They were 7-for-60 in the postseason and 0-for-4 with just one shot in the Final so far.
Somehow, it all finally came together when the Canes needed it most. First came the all-important third-period equalizer from captain Jordan Staal on a power-play opportunity that came as a result of a failed coach’s challenge from Vegas.
“We made a few adjustments. [The Golden Knights] don’t give you much; they keep you to the outside,” Staal said postgame. “When you’re struggling (on the power play), you want it so bad, but for the most part it’s always the next one. You never know when the power play is going to come up big for you, and it’s going to have to continue to do that.”
Then came the overtime dagger from Seth Jarvis, who had gone cold on the scoresheet and had been visibly frustrated throughout the first two games of the Final.
“It was huge to be able to contribute to the win,” Jarvis said postgame, “even more so to get the power play going and follow Jordo [Staal]’s lead.”
Jarvis’ game-winner was the first game-winner in a Stanley Cup Final for the Hurricanes since 2006.
“You never want to lose two at home,” he said. “To get that one is really good for the group headed into Vegas.”
