TORONTO, May 21 (UPI) -- Even with one good eye, Jeff O'Neill proved the Carolina Hurricanes are a dangerous team in overtime.
O'Neill scored 6:01 into overtime to lift the Hurricanes to a 2-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs and a two games to one lead in the Eastern Conference finals.
After being hit by a puck in the first period that caused swelling to nearly shut his right eye, O'Neill netted his fourth goal of the postseason and second of the series to give Carolina its second consecutive overtime victory and fifth overall in the playoffs.
Captain Ron Francis carried the puck over the blue line and into the left faceoff circle. While becoming entangled with defenseman Tomas Kaberle, Francis seemingly indirectly kicked the puck to O'Neill, who was streaking down the right side of the ice.
O'Neill lifted the puck over goaltender Curtis Joseph's left shoulder to end the contest and reclaim home-ice advantage for Carolina.
With three regulars still missing from their starting lineup, the Maple Leafs also played without Coach Pat Quinn behind the bench. Assistant Rick Ley coached the team.
After attending the team's morning skate Tuesday, Quinn was admitted to a hospital with a "chest condition" after complaining of pain near his heart. After undergoing tests, Quinn was reported to be in stable condition and was to remain overnight for observation.
The Maple Leafs also lost the services of sniper Alexander Mogilny. Leading the team with eight goals in the playoffs, Mogilny was injured on his first shift Tuesday and was taken to the locker room. He returned late in the first period and played in the second, but was seen in street clothes during the
third session with what was announced as an upper body injury.
The series resumes in Toronto on Thursday for Game Four.
