Tomas Hertl scored the 5-4 goal with 3:24 left in regulation, but coach John Tortorella praised three other players: William Karlsson, Brayden McNabb, and Shea Theodore.
"They're calm, they've won before, they've been in this situation. They're the foundation of our team, the courage of our team, and have been through this before. We're down 2-0 but there was no panic on the bench," Tortorella said after the game.
These guys lead the way by not panicking; they don't say much, they just play, and I think the others follow them. I think that's so important this time of year.
William Karlsson made it 3–2 just under five minutes into the second period.
The second game, in the best-of-seven series, is also a home game for Carolina.
