With Brent Burns and Martin Necas both recording helpers, just like Aho's goal in the first, the power play began its night an inspiring 2/2.
However, the two-goal advantage was very short-lived.
Just 24 seconds after Noesen's first tally in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2018, Ryan Pulock was able to answer for the visitors. After initially fanning on most of the shot attempt, New York's defender still got enough of the puck to go toward Raanta, and the change in tempo misled a poke check from Raanta. The puck continued into the net, making it a 2-1 contest.
Carolina's special teams were tasked with one more challenge before the game could get to the third period, killing off a Brady Skjei penalty to reach the end of 40 minutes.
And as it turned out, the two second-period tallies would be the final ones of the contest.
In typical playoff fashion, the game tightened up in the final 20 minutes and the two teams each registered single-digit shots the rest of the way. The tensest moments of the frame came when Burns took a penalty inside the final five minutes, forcing Carolina's impenetrable penalty kill to work one last time.
Tim Gleason's unit was able to round out their perfect 4/4 night and after fending off one final push from New York with the extra attacker on, the final horn sounded, giving Game One to the Metropolitan Division Champions.
