THE Carolina Hurricanes moved to within one win of a series sweep over the New York Islanders on Wednesday, surging to a 5-2 victory in game three of their Stanley Cup playoff duel.
Justin Williams scored a decisive goal in the third period to put Carolina 3-2 ahead before late efforts from Teuvo Teravainen and Sebastian Aho completed the scoring for the Canes.
The victory gives Carolina a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, leaving them with the opportunity to wrap up a clean sweep in game four before their home fans in Raleigh on Friday.
“We’re up 3-0. They say the last one’s the hardest, and it always is when the other team’s backs are against the wall,” Williams said.
“We certainly don’t want to go back [to New York], but if we have to we will. But we’re going to work our tails off to hopefully get it done in four.”
Islanders goalie Robin Lehner later rued a costly turnover in the third period which effectively set up Williams’ go-ahead goal.
“Coming into the third period at 2-2 I thought I was playing well,” Lehner said afterwards. “I had a bunch of saves. But it comes down to that play. It was a mistake. I own that one.”
Hurricanes goalie Curtis McElhinney meanwhile made 28 saves in a history-making appearance for the home side.
McElhinney, who replaced the injured Petr Mrazek, became the oldest goalie in NHL history to start his first Stanley Cup playoff game.
“I thought we did a great job,” McElhinney, 35, said. “I think it was even a little tighter than the last game we played. It was a great effort and a huge third period for us again.”
In Wednesday’s other game, the Dallas Stars levelled their series with the St Louis Blues at 2-2 after a 4-2 win at the American Airlines Center.