Logan Stankoven's third consecutive goal helped the Carolina Hurricanes defeat the Ottawa Senators 2-1 on Thursday, putting the Senators on the brink of elimination in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. With Carolina leading the best-of-seven series 3-0, Game 4 will take place on Saturday afternoon.

Historically, only four NHL teams have rallied from a 3-0 series deficit to win, with the most recent comeback coming from the Los Angeles Kings against the San Jose Sharks in 2014.

Jackson Blake also contributed to the victory for Carolina, scoring the game-winner, while Taylor Hall added two assists. In goal, Frederik Andersen made 21 saves to secure the win.

Blake spoke highly of Hall’s impact on the team, saying, "Yeah, he's one of the guys driving the bus right now. A huge piece for our group. For me and 'Stanks' to play with a guy like that who's been around for a while and has had so much success in this league, it's great to have him there."

Drake Batherson scored the only goal for Ottawa, marking his second of the series. Despite 25 saves from goaltender Linus Ullmark, the Senators were unable to take control, as they have yet to lead at any point in the first three games.

Both teams struggled on the power play, with Carolina going 0-for-4 and Ottawa failing to capitalize on all five of their opportunities. Senators captain Brady Tkachuk expressed frustration after the game, saying, "Power play cost us the game. ... It was pretty frustrating, but we've got to find a way. We've never quit all season. Just got to step up to the occasion."

Stankoven opened the scoring at 5:13 of the first period, receiving a pass from Hall after the latter’s rebound effort. Stankoven beat Ullmark with a wrist shot from the left circle.

Ottawa’s best chance to tie came early in the second period when Tkachuk broke free on a breakaway, but Andersen stopped his backhand attempt.

Midway through the second period, the Senators had a 5-on-3 power play for 1:28 but failed to convert. Ottawa defenseman Jake Sanderson was forced to leave the game at 10:07 after taking a shot off his left hand, having previously taken a hit to the head from Hall.

Senators coach Travis Green was outspoken about the lack of a penalty on the hit, commenting, "It's pretty obvious why he left the game. I just don't understand how there's not a five-minute major called on a hit to the head. It's a blatant hit to the head, the kind of hit you don't want to see. It's ridiculous there wasn't a review."

Batherson did manage to tie the game at 16:06, converting a pass from Nick Cousins in the slot for a backhand goal past Andersen. However, Blake quickly answered for Carolina, regaining the lead at 17:29. K'Andre Miller made a pass to Blake, who scored off a cross-ice feed, sneaking the puck past a diving Ullmark.

Blake reflected on the crucial goal, stating, "They scored one, the building erupted a little bit there and then just to get that one quick, answer right away, I think that was really big for us as a group. We had so many (penalty) kills tonight that were really big on the momentum side, and that goal was definitely one of them, too."

With the Hurricanes now just one win away from advancing, Game 4 is set to take place on Saturday, with Ottawa hoping to extend their playoff run.

-Field Level Media/Reuters