Canes Corner

<p>The Hurricanes beat the Mammoth in Utah, 4-1, as Freddie Andersen made 26 saves and Jordan Staal scored his 20th goal of the season.  Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho also scored, as Andre's career high 31st goal got Carolina on the board first on the power play.  Aho's deflection of a Shayne Gostisbehere point shot pushed Carolina's lead to 3-1 with less than 5:00 to play in regulation.  Sean Walker scored into an empty net, but it was one of his best -- and feistiest -- games with the Hurricanes.  Carolina is now just 1 point away from clinching home ice throughout the eastern conference playoffs. </p> <p>The Canes Corner podcast is sponsored by the Aluminum Company of North Carolina. aluminumcompany.com </p>

<p>The Canes rested 7 regulars and still battered the Blackhawks, 7-2, at United Center.  Logan Stankoven and Mark Jankowski scored two goals apiece, Will Carrier had 3 assists, and Frederik Andersen made 23 saves in the win which lowers the Carolina magic number to 3 over the Buffalo Sabres. Stankoven also had an assist on the Taylor Hall goal.  K'Andre Miller and Sean Walker also found the back of the net in the win.  Carolina up to 108 points with 3 games left to play.</p> <p>The Canes Corner Podcast is sponsored by the Aluminum Company of North Carolina.  aluminumcompany.com</p>

<p>The Canes beat the Bruins, 6-5, in overtime, wrapping up the Metropolitan Division title with 4 games left to play.  The Hurricanes have 106 points, a 4-point lead over Tampa Bay, Buffalo and Montreal in the race for the number one overall seed in the Eastern Conference with 4 games left to play.  It was anything but standard in the Canes' final regular season game at home.  Defensive breakdowns and some shaky goaltending allowed Boston to score 5 times -- three by former Hurricanes forward Morgan Geekie.  But, Boston had their own issues in goal as the Canes scored five times in less than 30 minutes on Jeremy Swayman and Boston pulled him in favor of Joonas Korpisalo who was great in relief.  That is until Jaccob Slavin's first goal of the season won the game for the Hurricanes in OT.  Andrei Svechnikov, K'Andre Miller, Logan Stankoven, Will Carrier and Taylor Hall also scored for Carolina in the win and Brandon Bussi won his 30th game of the season.  The Hurricanes have now won at least 50 games in 4 of the last 5 seasons and they are division champions for the 4th time in the last 6 years.</p> <p>The Canes Corner Podcast is sponsored by the Aluminum Company of North Carolina. aluminumcompany.com</p>

<p>The Hurricanes had a chance to wrap up the Metropolitan Division with just 1 point in the game at Ottawa.  Alas they lost 6-3.  They scored first through Logan Stankoven on the power play.  Andrei Svechnikov gave them momentum with a great individual effort goal at the end of the opening period in a 2-2 game.  But, that was it as puck management issues and mental mistakes cost them any chance at a win.  The only positive was Taylor Hall's 300th career goal.  </p> <p> </p> <p>The Canes Corner Podcast is sponsored by the Aluminum company of North Carolina. aluminumcompany.com</p>

<p>The Canes twice fought back from a goal down, but then hung on for a 4-3 win over the Islanders.  The win pushes Carolina to 104 points and gives them a magic number of 1 to wrap up the Metropolitan Division.  That can happen Sunday in Ottawa.  Seth Jarvis scored his first 5-on-5 goal in 24 days as he scored Carolina's first and last goals.  He also set up Sebastian Aho for a go-ahead shorthanded marker in the 2nd period.  That was the Hurricanes' 12th shorty of the season, which leads the NHL.  Jackson Blake's 22nd goal of the year tied the game for the second time.  Brandon Bussi made 13 saves for his 29th win of the year.  </p> <p> </p> <p>The Canes Corner Podcast is sponsored by the Aluminum Company of North Carolina @aluminumcompany</p>

<p>The Canes raced out to a 3-0 lead after the first period and cruised home to a 5-1 win over Columbus.  The win put the Hurricanes into the playoffs for the 8th consecutive season.  Logan Stankoven scored twice.  Alexander Nikishin registered his first NHL shorthanded goal.  And Andrei Svechnikov's 3rd period  goal extended Carolina's streak to 8 straight with at least one power play goal.  Carolina is 12 for their 25 with the man advantage during the run.  The penalty kill went 3 for 3 and has now erased 19 of the last 20 enemy power plays.  Frederik Andersen made 9 saves in the win.</p> <p> </p> <p>The Canes Corner Podcast is a service of the Aluminum Company of North Carolina aluminumcompany.com</p>

<p>The Canes scored 3 power play goals and Brandon Bussi made 23 saves as they beat the Blue Jackets in Columbus, 5-2.  The win pushes the Hurricanes to the 100 point mark for the 4th time in the last 5 seasons and lowers their magic number to clinch a playoff spot to 3.  In addition, Carolina has a magic number of 7 to win the Metropolitan Division for the first time in 3 years.  Shayne Gostisbehere, Logan Stankoven and Andrei Svechnikov each scored power play goals and Nikolaj Ehlers had a goal and three assists as he set a career high with his 40th helper and tied his career best mark for points in a season with 64.  Among Bussi's 25 saves were several glorious pad saves on Marchenko and Sean Monahan.  </p> <p>The Aluminum Company of North Carolina is proud presenter of the Canes Corner Podcast. aluminumcompany.com</p>

<p>For the second time in three games the Canes lost a game that they probably should have won.  But, in each, they could not adequately solve Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes and ended up on the losing end.  Last Tuesday in Montreal, the Hurricanes scored the first 2 goals and had more than 60% of the high danger scoring chances only to lose 5-2.  Sunday, at Lenovo Center, it was more egregious as the Hurricanes piled up 100 shot attempts and outchanced the Habs by nearly 3 to 1 only to come away with 1 goal.  Andre Svechnikov scored Carolina's only goal, his 26th -- on a 1st period power play -- that snapped a 5 game goal drought. Freddie Andersen didn't allow a bad goal, and made some very good saves, but has stopped just 29 of 36 shots in going 0-2-0 over his last two outings.</p> <p> </p>

<p>Brandon Bussi's best start since the Olympic break helped the Hurricanes to a 5-2 win over the Devils.  Carolina fell behind 1-0 on a first period Timo Meier goal, but they roared back with 3 goals in the 2nd period as Nikolaj Ehlers, Jackson Blake and Jordan Staal each scored.  Ehlers rang up his 13th in 22 games against the Devils.  Blake's gave the Canes the lead they would never give up.  Staal's deflection of an Ehlers pass gave him 19 goals on the year, just one shy of his season high with Carolina.  Shayne Gostisbehere returned from a lower body injury and scored his 12th goal of the season and has 45 points in 46 games this season.  Bussi made 17 saves in winning his 27th game of the year and the win helps the Canes complete a 4-game season series sweep of the Devils.</p>

<p>The Hurricanes scored twice in the first 7 minutes, but couldn't build on the lead and ultimately fell to the Canadiens, 5-2, in Montreal.  Nikolaj Ehlers and Jordan Staal scored about 4 1/2 minutes apart in the 1st period as the Canes jumped out to a 2-0 lead.  But Oliver Kapanen's high slot deflection bounced through Frederik Andersen to cut the lead in half and the Canadiens scored the next four goals for the win.  It was one of those games where you don't play as poorly as the score indicates, but a loss is a loss and the Hurricanes will have to sit on this until they play at home against the Devils on Saturday.</p> <p>The Canes Corner podcast is brought to you by the Aluminum Company of North Carolina aluminumcompany.com </p>

<p>Alexander Nikishin's first NHL overtime goal gave the Canes a 4-3 win over the Maple Leafs.  The Canes did not score a 5-on-5 goal in the win.  Jordan Staal scored on the power play -- deflecting home a Seth Jarvis shot; Eric Robinson converted a penalty shot; and, K'Andre Miller scored a shorthanded goal -- all in the 2nd period.  Brandon Bussi snapped a personal 3-game losing streak with 23 saves in the win.  The Canes lead the Penguins by 10 points in the division race.</p> <p> </p> <p>The Canes Corner Podcast is presented by the Aluminum Company of North Carolina aluminumcompany.com  </p>

<p>Sean Walker's overtime goal sent the Canes to a 6-5 win over the Penguins, pushing Carolina to an 8-point lead in the Metropolitan Division.  Walker's 7th goal of the season with about a half minute left in OT moved the Hurricanes to a 2-point lead over the Sabres in the race for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. It was a nice, normal game through two periods, with Carolina ahead, 2-1.  But, the Penguins scored 4 times and actually had their first lead after Ben Kindle scored to make it 5-4 with just under 5 minutes to play.  K'Andre Miller's pass in front of a crowded net caromed off of Pittsburgh defenseman Parker Wotherspoon and past Stuart Skinner to tie the game and set up Walker's OT heroics.  </p> <p>The Canes Corner Podcast is presented by the Aluminum Company of North Carolina aluminumcompany.com </p>

<p>The Hurricanes gave up a pair of power play goals in the 1st period and never really got going in a 5-1 loss to Columbus.  Andrei Svechnikov scored a 4-on-4 goal in the 2nd to cut the lead in half.  But, when Danton Heinen scored after his collision with Brandon Bussi behind the net left the Hurricanes goalie sprawled on the ice to make it 3-1 the Canes never recovered.  Should that collision have resulted in a Columbus penalty?  Would it have mattered anyway?  Nicolas Deslauriers made his debut as a Hurricane and got into a fight, so there's that.</p> <p>Canes Corner is presented by the Aluminum Company of North Carolina. aluminumcompany.com</p>

<p>The Canes scored twice in the 3rd period and Frederik Andersen won his 3rd straight as Carolina beat Tampa Bay, 4-2.  Saturday night was the third and final game of the season series with the Bolts, and the victory gives the Hurricanes a 2-1-0 record against the Lightning and they also have a 6-point lead over them for home ice advantage should they meet at any time in the playoffs.  Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho each had a goal and an assist.  Jordan Martinook's 9th goal of the season snapped a 2-2 tie midway through the 3rd.  And Logan Stankoven scored into an empty net as the Canes maintained a 9-point lead in the Metro over the Penguins and Islanders who each won as well.</p> <p>Canes Corner is presented by the Aluminum Company of North Carolina. aluminumcompany.com</p>

<p>The Hurricanes lost to St Louis, 3-1, at Lenovo Center on Thursday night.  Carolina wasted a dominant first period in which they could have scored 3 or 4 times but only saw Mark Jankowski find the back of the net.  Jordan Binnington made a dozen saves in the first period as the Canes piled up 8 Grade A scoring chances but it didn't translate to the scoreboard.  Brandon Bussi made 15 saves but has now lost consecutive starts for the first time in his career.  The loss means the Hurricanes remain 9 points ahead of the Penguins and Islanders in the Metro and 2 ahead of the Sabres for the Eastern Conference's overall top seed.  </p> <p> </p> <p>The Canes Corner Podcast is sponsored by the Aluminum Company of North Carolina aluminumcompany.com</p>

<p>The Canes beat the Penguins, 5-4, in a shootout in a game that featured 10 total power plays, 71 shots on goal, 2 6-on-5 goals and a failed 2-on-none.  The Penguins leave town with their 15th overtime/shootout loss of the season and the Hurricanes opened up a 9-point lead in the Metropolitan Division.  Frederik Andersen is now 5-1-3 in his last 9 starts -- 3-1-0 since returning from the Olympic break.  </p> <p>Canes Corner is presented by the Aluminum Company of North Carolina aluminumcompany.com </p>

<p>Carolina closed out the 4-game road trip with a 5-4 loss in Calgary.  Brandon Bussi's 9-game losing streak -- actually, his second 9-game slide -- came to an end.  Bussi's puck management struggles continued as he gave the puck away for the 1st and 4th goals.  Seth Jarvis, Sean Walker, Alexander Nikishin and Andrei Svechnikov each scored in the loss. </p> <p> </p> <p>The Canes Corner Podcast is brought to you by the Aluminum Company of North Carolina.  aluminumcompany.com</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

<p>The trade deadline came and went without Carolina making the big splash so many wanted to see.  Then the Canes went out and drowned the Oilers with their defense.  Jaccob Slavin gave Connor McDavid 4 Nations Faceoff flashbacks, putting in a 25 1/2 minute masterclass of a defensive shift on the greatest player in the world.  McDavid had an assist on the opening goal, but he was very much held in check.  Slavin, paired with Jalen Chatfield handled him most of the time.  K'Andre Miller and Sean Walker were also great against him.  We'll talk about Nikolaj Ehlers and the fit with the Captains and dig into the trade deadline.  </p> <p>Canes Corner is presented by the Aluminum company of North Carolina aluminumcompany.com </p>

<p>Nikolaj Ehlers registered his second hat trick of the season, while Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho each had a goal and an assist, as the Hurricanes beat the Canucks, 6-4.  Aho's 2nd period goal gave him 60 points on the season, making him just the 8th Finnish-born player in NHL history to have amassed 8 60-point seasons.  Jari Kurri, Teemu Selanne and Mikko Rantanen are the other 3.  Brandon Bussi allowed 4 goals on 22 shots, but he keeps winning.  The Bus has 25 wins in his first 29 starts and is on an 8-game winning streak.  However, he has a .829 SV% in his last 6 starts -- which all happen to be victories.</p>

<p>The Hurricanes saw their 5-game winning streak come to an end as they fell to the Seattle Kraken, 2-1.  The Kraken scored both of their goals in the 1st half of the second period as a couple of breakdowns led to grade A scoring chances.  Nikolaj Ehlers got the Canes on the board late in the 2nd period, pouncing on a loose puck and ringing the bell for the 16th time this season to make it a 1-goal game heading into the 3rd.  But, Carolina just couldn't generate enough from their 36 shots on goal and 83 (!!!) total shot attempts and the game fizzled out at the end.  Frederik Andersen started his second consecutive game for the first time since before Thanksgiving, but wasn't able to stack back-to-back strong performances in losing.  It snaps his personal 6-game point streak.</p>

<p>The Carolina Hurricanes took down the Detroit Red Wings, 5-2, as Taylor Hall and Shayne Gostisbehere each had a goal and two assists and Frederik Andersen made 27 saves.  It was the 5th straight win for the Canes -- which ties a season high.  Carolina is also on a 12-game point streak (10-0-2) and, as a result, moved ahead of Tampa Bay into the top spot in the East with 82 points.  Andersen is 3-0-3 in his last 6 starts, Jackson Blake added a goal and an assist and Sebastian Aho's power play goal gave him 5 goals in his last 6 games.</p>

<p>The Hurricanes got off to a flying start, lost a 3-goal lead, but buttoned up the 3rd period in a 5-4 win over the Lightning.  It starts the final 25 game stretch on a great note for Carolina, who maintains their 8-point lead over Pittsburgh in the Metropolitan Division.  The Logan Stankoven line was on fire in the first period, scoring twice and tying the Lightning in knots.  But, Carolina was a bit of a defensive mess -- and if we're being honest, a bit fortunate to not be trailing in the game -- and it wasn't until Sebastian Aho's 3rd period power play goal that they assumed control over the game.  Jaccob Slavin and K'Andre Miller were stellar in the 3rd period and Brandon Bussi saved his best for the 3rd as the Canes pull even with the Bolts on 80 points for the East's top seed.  It was Bussi's 24th win of the season.</p>

<p>The Canes and goaltender Brandon Bussi agree on a 3-year contract extension.  We discuss that, the roster work still to do before the trade deadline and the incredible Olympic hockey quarterfinals.  Oh, and I also spent about 15 minutes on the phone with The Bus himself.  Enjoy!</p>

<p>Brandon Bussi made 16 saves, Andrei Svechnikov and Jordan Staal scored goals and the Canes extended their points streak to 10 straight in a 2-0 win at Madison Square Garden.  Andrei scored at 6:26 of the first period coming right off the bench to corral a loose puck at the blue line and beat Jonathan Quick for his 21st goal of the season.  Svech has 9 goals in his last 10 games.  Staal's 15th of the season, into an empty net, was his 5th in the last 7 games.  Nikolaj Ehlers' great defensive play to take the puck away from Vincent Trocheck created the chance and the Canes head into the Olympic Break with an 8 point lead over the Penguins in the Metropolitan Division.</p>

<p>Jordan Staal's game-winning goal, with just more than 5 minutes to play helped the Canes to a 4-3 win over Ottawa as they extend their points streak to 9 straight games (7-0-2).  Staal's 14th of the season was the 8th time that Staal has given Carolina the lead with a goal.  Seth Jarvis scored twice, Sebastian Aho added a goal and 2 assists, and Brandon Bussi won for the 22nd time in 26 NHL starts.  It was another game in which the Hurricanes weren't necessarily the better team, though Carolina definitely played well and with a lot of energy.  The Canes have just one more game -- Thursday at Madison Square Garden -- before the Olympic break.</p>

<p>Sebastian Aho's overtime goal, 1:25 into the 3-on-3 session, gave the Canes a 3-2 win over the Kings, extending their points streak to 8 straight games (6-0-2).  One night after leading 3-0 only to lose in overtime, Carolina led 2-0 with just over 7 minutes to play.  But, the Kings capitalized on a Hurricanes mistake 24 seconds later to cut the lead in half and drew even with 3:11 to play and we were headed beyond regulation for the 2nd straight night -- and the 3rd time in the last 5 games.  This time, however, Sebastian Aho did what he seemingly always does, he won the game, beating Anton Forsberg just inside the left post for his 19th goal of the season.  Brandon Bussi made 11 saves for his 21st win in 25 starts.  Jordan Staal and Alexander Nikishin also scored for the Canes who are 10-1-3 in their last 14 games.</p>

<p>How should the headline read?  The Canes blow a 3-0 lead and lose, 4-3, in overtime?  Or, the Canes stole a point in their OT loss in Washington?  Because both of those things are essentially true.  According to head coach Rod Brind'Amour his team was as bad as he can recall in a 60-minute game.  And, statistically speaking, he was not wrong.  Carolina was dominated in every area of the game -- other than goaltending -- in the loss.  Only Frederik Andersen, who made 38 saves on the night, drew praise from the head coach.  Andersen stopped 19 shots in the 1st period and another 19 the rest of the way as his team spent far too much time defending on the night.  Mark Jankowski, Sebastian Aho and Shayne Gostisbehere each scored in the loss.  </p>

<p>Brandon Bussi made 34 saves to win his 19th game of the season as the Hurricanes beat the Senators, 4-1.  Bussi's victory helps to continue a record breaking start to his career.  No NHL goalie has ever won 19 of his first 23 starts.  In Bussi's 23 starts he's allowed 4 or more goals just twice and 8 times -- including the last three -- he's allowed 1 or fewer goals.  Carolina wasn't very good in the win, but they managed to score 3 times in the first period as William Carrier, Seth Jarvis and Taylor Hall staked the Canes to the big lead.  Andrei Svechnikov's 18th of the season, on the power play, made it 4-0 early in the 2nd period.  </p>

<p>The Canes lost to the Chicago Blackhawks, 4-3, in a shootout on a night when the power play -- which had been excellent of late -- went 0 for 5 and conceded a shorthanded goal.  Joel Nystrom scored his first NHL goal and was joined on the scoresheet by Jordan Staal and Jackson Blake in the loss.  One thing Carolina did well on Thursday was bounce back.  They never led in the game, but each time Chicago scored the Canes seemed to get the game back even quickly.  Alexander Nikishin took part in his first NHL fight as Chicago's Oliver Moore challenged him after a clean hit on Rick Lardis in the second period.  Nikishin didn't appear interested in fighting, but ended the bout quickly as Moore was knocked to the ice in 3 punches.  Moore would have the last say, however, as it was his shootout conversion ended the game in the 6th round and gave Chicago the bonus point.</p>

<p>Brandon Bussi only had to make 17 saves.  But, you ask Buffalo's Tage Thompson if Carolina's goalie played well.  Thompson, a 25 goal scorer already this year, easily could have had a hat trick against the Canes were it not for Bussi.  One save was so amazing, the game broadcasters -- both local and national -- assumed that a goal had been scored.  It was THAT good.  Andrei Svechnikov scored for the 3rd straight game and Seth Jarvis' power play goal, 2 minutes into the 3rd period, was the game winner.  </p>

<p>What a 27 hours for the Canes!  One night after they tarred and feathered the Florida Panthers, 9-1, Carolina rode the goaltending of Frederik Andersen and an Andrei Svechnikov hat trick for a 4-1 win in Newark.  Andersen made 28 saves, with most of the toughest ones coming early as the Hurricanes struggled to get into the game after the emotions of Friday night's blowout.  But, Andersen kept them level and then Svechnikov scored twice in 58 seconds late in the 2nd to stake Carolina to the lead.  Timo Meier's power play goal cut the lead in half, but Jackson Blake's 15th of the year restored the 2-goal lead and Svechnikov completed the hat trick for the final margin.  </p>

<p>Nine goals.  Nine goals.  The Carolina Hurricanes hung 9 goals around Sergei Bobrovsky and the Florida Panthers.  Nikolaj Ehlers, who now has 11 goals in 18 career games against Florida, picked up his first hat trick with the Hurricanes (6th of his career), as Carolina scored 6 times in the 3rd period in the 9-1 win.  While nothing really can erase the sting of blowing a combined lead of 5-0 in the first two meetings between these two teams, Carolina extending the lead over and over and over again in the 3rd period will at least prove to themselves that they have put that part of their season behind them.  Taylor Hall scored twice, while Andrei Svechnikov, Eric Robinson, Mark Jankowski and Alexander Nikishin each added goals of their own.  Carolina now has an NHL-best 9 players with 10+ goals on the season.  Brandon Bussi made 15 saves for his 17th win of the year.  The Canes were 4 for 5 on the power play and a perfect 5 for 5 on the penalty kill.</p>

<p>The Hurricanes were shut out for the first time this season, 3-0, in St Louis.  Carolina's 5-game point streak came to an end on a night when they looked unwilling to play their game.  Brandon Bussi allowed 3 goals on 31 shots in the loss with all three coming in the 2nd period where the Blues skated circles around Carolina.  Before the game, St Louis was -- based on goal differential -- the worst 2nd period team in the NHL at -25.  They were +3 in the 2nd tonight.</p>

<p>Two ways to look at the Canes' 4-3 (OT) loss to the Red Wings.  Great, you rallied with 3 goals in the 3rd period to force overtime so you feel happy with the result.  Disappointed that you gave the puck away twice and they led to Detroit goals.  Angry, because two really awful -- and very easily-called -- penalties went uncalled with the second one resulting in the game-winner from Andrew Copp.</p>

<p>The Canes fell behind, 2-1, in the third period, but the Captain's line produced a pair of goals as Carolina rallied to beat Seattle, 3-2.  The win was the 4th straight for the Canes, who maintain a 4-point lead over the Islanders in the Metropolitan division.  Jaccob Slavin made his return to the lineup after missing the last 10 games.  In all, Slavin has played in just 6 of the Hurricanes' first 45 games.  Logan Stankoven's 1st period goal got the Hurricanes in front of the game.  The goal was his 10th of the season and 4th in as many games.  K'Andre Miller's steal inside the blue line started the play and then the brand new Hurricanes defender made a great pass to Stankoven in the slot.  Seattle's Matty Beniers would make a great move around Slavin for a first period tying goal.  Brandon Bussi turned the puck over leading to the Kraken's 3rd period goal that put them in front, 2-1.  But, Jordan Staal set up both 3rd period goals, the first from Jordan Martinook and the second was credited to Will Carrier as Slavin's shot hit Will on the way into the Seattle net.</p>

<p>Freddie Andersen made 11 saves in his first win since November 6 as the Hurricanes won their 3rd straight game, 5-2, over the Ducks.  Mark Jankowski scored in the 2nd period to tie the game at 1-1, but it was arguably the most important play of the entire night.  The Hurricanes were flat until jankowski's goal and then they took control of the game.  Logan Stankoven, Jalen Chatfield and Jackson Blake each scored and Taylor Hall -- who's patience created Stankoven's 3rd goal in as many games -- put one into the empty net for the final marker.  It wasn't pretty, but it was gritty and the Canes got what they deserved.</p>

<p>K'Andre Miller scored twice, Andrei Svechnikov and Nikolaj Ehlers combeind for 7 assists and Seth Jarvis made an energizing return to the lineup as the Canes blasted the Stars, 6-3.  Carolina celebrated Star Wars night in style.  Miller scored twice, the first time since opening night -- when he also bagged a brace -- that he found the back of the net.  Shayne Gostisbehere and Will Carrier also scored and Brandon Bussi won for the 15th time in 18 starts.  </p>

<p>Brandon Bussi stopped 28 shots and Taylor Hall had a goal and an assist as the Hurricanes snapped their 3-game losing streak with a 3-1 win over the Devils in Newark.  Nikolaj Ehlers scored in the opening minute as his slight deflection of a Sean Walker point shot led to a rebound and a Luke Hughes own goal.  Hughes would also give up the puck to Hall for his 7th goal of the year, a forechecking classic as Hall knocked the puck off Hughes' stick and it slid past Jake Allen into the net for a 2-1 lead in the 2nd period.  Hall added to his night forcing a turnover behind the New Jersey goal and getting the puck to Logan Stankoven in front for his 7th goal of the season -- and first in 11 games.  Best thing we saw, though, was Brandon Bussi bouncing back in a very solid, and quiet but stellar performance in the Carolina goal.  </p>

<p>For the 5th time in their last 8 games the Canes coughed up a multi-goal lead.  The Canes entered the 3rd period with a 3-1 lead, but Colorado scored twice in the first two minutes of the period and went on to win their 10th straight.  Carolina lost for the 3rd straight time.  Sebastian Aho, Nikolaj Ehlers and Andrei Svechnikov each scored -- the second straight game that's happened -- and Aho now has 16 points in his last 9 games -- but Svechnikov and Ehlers each committed 3rd period penalties that led to Colorado power play goals and ultimately equalled a Carolina loss.  Frederik Andersen made 29 saves in a very good performance between the pipes.</p>

<p>The Hurricanes lost the first game of 2026, a 7-5 gong show of a game against the Canadiens.  Carolina trailed 2-0 early, then fought back to take a 4-2 lead before giving up the next 4 goals through a series of turnovers and poor goaltending.  It was the first home loss for Brandon Bussi, the second straight loss for the Hurricanes, and it comes as the next game will be against the Colorado Avalanche.  Sebastian Aho had 2 goals and 3 assists on the night, his second career 5-point effort.  Andrei Svechnikov and Nikolaj Ehlers each had a goal and two assists and Alexander Nikishin had a goal and an assist.  But Bussi allowed 6 goals and made just 16 saves on the night.  Now we'll see how he reacts to his first poor NHL start.</p>