In 17 career playoff games, Jack Drury had never found the back of the net.
Well, actually... there was that one time...
In Game 2 of last year's Eastern Conference Final, Drury snapped a shot past Sergei Bobrovsky to give Carolina a 2-0 lead, but it was ultimately overturned for offsides as MacKenzie MacEachern was deemed to have gloved the puck down just outside of the blueline.
The Canes would lose that game 2-1 in overtime and go on to lose the series in a four-game sweep.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIaD904u-ww[/embed]
If that goal had stood, who knows what might have happened.
So for the young center to not only net his first NHL playoff goal Tuesday night, but for it to also be the game and series winner, had to feel extra special.
But it wasn't still without a bit of trepidation.
"I looked over at their bench and I was like, 'Don't be reviewing this,'" Drury joked after the game.
On top of his disallowed playoff goal last year, Drury had also had three goals called back this regular season so it's understandable that the Harvard grad would have a bit of a hold-your-breath mentality.
But everything about the goal was clean and Drury finally had a playoff tally under his belt.
"It was a good faceoff breakout," Drury said. "Tony kind of called that play so I have to give him some credit and it was good to get that one in."
Overall, it's been a good postseason so far for the 2018 second-round pick.
In five games, Drury had three points, four hits, was a +5 and had won 63.2% of his faceoffs.
He's also controlled a 57.14 CF% and his strong two-way game saw him promoted back up to 2C centering Jordan Martinook and Martin Necas.
"I thought the difference tonight was Jack," said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour. "Jack Drury's line, and Jack in particular, was a real difference tonight."
But again, nothing can compare to getting that first goal and especially one in such a crucial moment.
"I can't say enough good things about that kid," said Stefan Noesen. "I almost wish he was my son at some points. In Chicago, he was so good down there and he was so crucial in us going on to win. It's great to see him filling out his role and he stepped up, won some big faceoffs and he's really honing in on that craft. It's great to see him doing great things and it's nice to see him score."
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