RALEIGH, N.C., April 24 (UPI) -- Josef Vasicek scored his first playoff goal 8:16 into overtime after Kevin Weekes made a spectacular save Wednesday night as the Carolina Hurricanes rallied for a 3-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils and a three games to two lead in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.
A member of Carolina's checking unit, Vasicek sent the Raleigh Entertainment and Sports Arena into bedlam and gave the Hurricanes their second overtime win of the best-of-seven series.
Martin Gelinas carried behind the net and threw a pass in front. Rookie Jaroslav Svoboda could not get his stick on the puck, but Vasicek did, whipping a shot over goaltender Martin Brodeur.
Four minutes earlier, John Madden appeared poised to give the Devils their third straight win. But a sprawled Weekes stuck up his glove and snared the shot to prolong overtime.
After coming off the bench to replace an ineffective Arturs Irbe in each of the previous two games, Weekes made his first career playoff start and stopped 40 shots. He will likely be back in the net for Game 6 on Saturday in New Jersey, where Carolina can win its first playoff series in 16 years.
The Hurricanes forced overtime on Jeff O'Neill's power-play goal with 89 seconds to go in the third period.
Bobby Holik and Patrik Elias scored for the Devils, who have recorded a pair of comfortable home wins in the series but have lost three one-goal decisions on the road.
