Canes Corner

<p>The Canes dropped a 5-1 decision in Boston to a Bruins team that had lost 10 in a row.  David Pastrnak had a hat trick while former Hurricanes forwards Morgan Geekie and Elias Lindholm each scored.  Jeremy Swayman made 39 saves for the winners.  Frederik Andersen allowed 5 goals on 26 shots and saw his 7-game winning streak come to an end.  It was a tough game for Carolina's best players as Jaccob Slavin -- as well as his defensive partner Brent Burns -- was a -5.  Sebastian Aho was a -3 and his linemates were held off the scoresheet as well.  Jesperi Kotkaniemi left the game midway through the 2nd period with an undisclosed injury and will be re-evaluated on Sunday.  The only plus was the first career goal for rookie Justin Robidas.  </p>

<p>The Red Wings scored twice within 30 seconds - TWICE - and handed the Canes a 5-3 loss. Carolina's winning streak ends at 3. Pyotr Kochetkov has now allowed 18 goals on the last 92 shots he's faced. And, while it would be hard to categorize any of the four goals he allowed tonight as "bad goals", his lack of confidence is evident in his movement and inability to read plays. We discuss the problem Kochetkov's play presents for the team - even as Frederik Andersen has been spectacular over his last 8 starts. We talk briefly about the red hot Jackson Blake, who scored his 15th goal of the season. And we get into Andrei Svechnikov, his absence, and how much the Canes need him at his best. </p>

<p>The Canes clinched a playoff spot for the 7th straight year beating the Washington Capitals, 5-1. Carolina scored 3 power play goals, two from Jackson Blake and another by Seth Jarvis. Sean Walker and Logan Stankoven added the other goals. Frederik Andersen continues to play well as he's won 7 straight games, allowing 7 straight games, allowing just 10 goals and compiling a .940 SV%. The only downside to tonight's game was the loss of Andrei Svechnikov, who left with an upper body injury in the 2nd period. The game featured 142 penalty minutes and each team was awarded 4, 10-minute misconduct penalties. Should be a blast at Washington next Thursday. Alex Ovechkin scored his 39th goal of the season - the 892nd of his career - in the 2nd period. That moves him just two goals behind Wayne Gretzky for 1st on the all time list. </p>

<p>It wasn't how Rod Brind'Amour would draw it up, but the Canes beat the Islanders, 6-4, in a game that had everything.  Mark Jankowski and Logan Stankoven scored 13 seconds apart early in the 1st period to put Carolina up 2-0.  But, from there it was a goalie gong show for both teams.  Seth Jarvis scored twice.  Sebastian Aho had a goal and two assists. Dimitri Orlov had the GWG.  The magic number to clinch a playoff spot is 2.  </p>

<p>Taylor Hall and Frederik Andersen paced the Hurricanes to a bounce-back, 4-1 win over Montreal on Friday night. Hall's 4th power play goal in the last 6 games put the Hurricanes in front to stay and Jackson Blake posted a 3-point night, the first of his NHL career. Blake's goal, which caromed in off of two different Montreal skates, and evened the score immediately after Josh Anderson gave the Habs the lead inside of the first 30 seconds. Andrei Svechnikov returned after missing the last 7 games and had a physical impact in the game and then added an empty net goal for the final marker. In this episode, after a few opening thoughts, we do a Q and A. We're back, full on, this Sunday following the game with the Islanders. </p>

<p>The Canes did everything BUT SCORE in their 3-1 loss to Nashville.  Juuse Saros made 34 saves to keep the Hurricanes from their 2nd straight win.  Taylor Hall's 2nd period power play goal was the only marker for Carolina.  Hall has scored the Canes' last 4 goals and has 3 power play goals in the last 5 games.  In this episode, we get into the many scoring chances created and why that's a positive not a negative in spite of the result of the game.  Then we get into Carolina's goaltending tonight which wasn't nearly good enough on the part of Pyotr Kochetkov.   </p>

<p>Taylor Hall had a 3rd period hat trick and Frederik Andersen's 35 saves boosted the Canes to a 5-2 win over the Ducks in Anaheim.  Carolina closes out their 4-game road trip with a 3-1-0 record and moves 10 points from wrapping up a playoff spot.  Hall's 3 goals added to goals from Mark Jankowski -- yeah, it's wild that he keeps scoring -- and Jordan Martinook as the new editions continue to pile up points.  In this edition, we talk about Andersen's exploits and what it means for the Canes playoff future, the new guys and why they're better than whatshisname that was shipped off to Dallas, and what was the key to the win over the Ducks.  </p>

<p>The Canes' 8 game winning streak is over.  They got blown out in L-A, 7-2.  The game was over after falling behind 3-0 in the first period.  Then the Kings scored 3 times in a 2:43 span of the early part of the 2nd.  Dimitry Orlov and Mark Jankowski scored for Carolina.  For Jankowski, it was his 5th goal since coming over from Nashville at the trade deadline.  For reference, Mikko Rantanen has played 20 games since leaving Colorado and he's scored just 4 goals (2 each with the Canes and Stars).  In this episode we talk about the loss (briefly), then talk about the 8-game winning streak and we look ahead to the playoffs and which players might have to sit when the Hurricanes are fully healthy.</p>

<p>Frederik Andersen stopped 25 shots, Seth Jarvis, Sebastian Aho and Sean Walker all scored, and the Hurricanes beat San Jose, 3-1. The Canes are now 8 points clear of the Devils for second place in the Metropolitan Division. Topics covered in this episode include Carolina's stellar goaltending of late - from both Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov. I also get into the play from the blue line, specifically Alternate Captain America, Jaccob Slavin. But the offense was driven by the Canes top line as Sebastian Aho, Jackson Blake and Seth Jarvis were all over the game. </p>

<p>Pyotr Kochetkov made 26 saves for his 2nd shutout of the season, and Mark Jankowski scored twice as the Canes iced the Flyers, 5-0, in Philadelphia.  It was Carolina's 7th straight win and helped them open up an 8-point lead over New Jersey for the 2nd spot in the Metropolitan division standings.  Sebastian Aho opened the scoring in the 1st period pouncing on a loose puck for his 25th goal of the season.  Jankowski's first of 2 goals tonight came with just over 4 minutes left in the opening period and came off a great feed from Eric Robinson.  Jankowski would make it 4-0 in the 2nd period -- also thanks to an incredible chip pass from Robinson -- making it the second time since being acquired last Friday that he's scored twice in a game.  Taylor Hall scored a power play goal and Scott Morrow closed out the scoring with his first career NHL goal.  So, if you're scoring at home.  The Canes scored 5 times, including a power play goal, AND they won a goaltender interference challenge.  It's a sign!  </p>

<p>Seth Jarvis scored shorthanded and Pyotr Kochetkov stopped 23 shots as the Canes beat the Lightning, 4-1.  Carolina has won 5 straight games -- the longest winning streak since Carolina won 8 in a row back in November.  Kochetkov has won 4 straight starts, Jarvis has scored in 3 straight games, Jack Roslovic scored his 20th goal of the season, Jordan Martinook notched his 12th and Sean Walker scored a goal for the first time in more than 3 months.  Walker had gone 41 games without a goal.  Carolina improves to 39-22-4 on the season and their 82 points are currently 3rd best in the Eastern Conference.</p>

<p>The new Canes beat the old Jets, 4-2, at Lenovo Center on Sunday night.  After the roster was shaken up for a second time this season, Carolina saw the two new editions provide the first three goals of the game.  Mark Jankowski, acquired from Nashville for a late round draft pick, scored twice and Logan Stankoven, the player Carolina got back in the Mikko Rantanen deal, provided the third.  Stankoven's 10th of the season came on the power play (shocked face emoji) early in the 3rd period.  Seth Jarvis added an empty net goal.  Frederik Andersen was great, stopping 20 shots, but making several big saves at crucial times, especially late in both the first and second periods.  The Canes have now won 4 straight for the second time since the new year.  </p>

<p>Six weeks after the Canes acquired Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche they traded him to the Dallas Stars.  After 13 games featuring 2 goals, 6 points and one declined offer of an 8-yeaer contract extension Carolina decided to end their pursuit of the high-scoring forward and sent him to Dallas for Logan Stankoven and four draft picks.  How did we get here?  What does it mean?  Did Carolina get a sufficient reeturn?  </p>

<p>The Canes took advantage of three fortunate breaks and Pyotr Kochetkov stopped 32 shots as they beat the Bruins, 3-2. Sebastian Aho scored shorthanded in the 1st period as he intercepted a poor pass from Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei. Brent Burns' 5th goal of the season - in the 2nd period - caromed off the stick of a Boston defender as the Hurricanes took a 2-1 lead early in the 2nd. And Seth Jarvis' game-winner with 18.6 seconds left came as the result of a failed clearing attempt as Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov's stick broke and the puck just drifted to Jarvis in the high slot. But, the star tonight was Kochetkov, who stopped Boston star David Pastrnak 7 times, including a second period breakaway. The win was Carolina's 3rd straight and it moved them 6 points ahead of New Jersey in the race for 2nd place in the Metro. </p>

<p>Jordan Martinook and Jordan Staal each scored as the Canes beat the Red Wings, 2-1, in Detroit. It was Carolina's 2nd straight win and their first on the road in 5 weeks. Frederik Andersen made 24 saves to snap a personal 4-game losing streak as the Canes saw their lead over the Devils increase to 4 points - with a game in hand - after New Jersey fell in Dallas. For the second straight game, the Hurricanes probably should have scored significantly more than the two goals they did. But, when you have Jaccob Slavin on your team, you can make it work. Carolina's star defenseman was the game's best player - again. </p>

<p>The Canes beat the Flames, 2-1, in overtime as Sebastian Aho registered his 5th overtime game winning goal of the season.  The Hurricanes have five OT wins this season and all have come courtesy of their top centerman.  Jaccob Slavin and Jackson Blake each had 2 points on the night, Slavin's 6th goal of the year -- from Blake -- came with about 30 seconds left in the 2nd period and gave Carolina a 1-0 lead.  The pair each has assists on Aho's 23rd goal of the season.  Pyotr Kochetkov stopped 15 of 16 shots in the win, his second over the Flames this year.  On the down side, the Canes were 0 for 6 on the power play and have gone 5 for 65 with the man advantage since the calendar turned to 2025.  NOTE: Discussion on the Mikko Rantanen conundrum immediately after the second commercial break.</p>

<p>The Canes spotted the Oilers a 2-goal lead after 40 minutes -- just like they did in October in the 1st meeting -- but this time they couldn't get the second goal and lost, 3-1.  The Hurricanes went 1 for 4 on the power play, the first 3 of those coming in the 1st period.  On their first try, they allowed a shorthanded goal when Adam Henrique' was able to get to the front of the net and redirect the puck past Frederik Andersen.  Carolina did get a Sebastian Aho power play goal in the 3rd period to make the score 2-1.  But, they couldn't find their way to a second goal as Mikko Rantanen, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Jack Roslovic each had great chances to even the score.  Then, inside the final minute, Aho took a pass from Seth Jarvis and was in alone on Edmonton's Calvin Pickard, but his breakaway chance was denied by a great blocker side save and the Canes went on to lose for the 6th time in their last 8 games.  </p>

<p>Canes have a "whale" of a time in 5-2 win over Buffalo. </p>

<p>The Canes lost their 2nd straight game, 4-0, in Montreal. Carolina fell behind 2-0 after the first period, then allowed power play goals in both the 2nd and 3rd periods in the loss. The Hurricanes are 3-5-1 since the acquisitions of Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall. They've scored just 22 goals in those 9 games and 7 of them came against Utah in the final game before the 4 Nations Face Off break. </p>

<p>The Canes gave up three goals within the first 7 minutes of the first period and went on to loe, 6-3, to the Maple Leafs in Toronto.   In Carolina's first game coming after the 4 Nations Faceoff break they played like a team that hadn't seen each other in two weeks.  Poor decisions, worse puck management and a lack of precision added up to a 4-0 deficit after 20 minutes.  That the Canes scored three times in a 2:41 span of the 3rd period to give themselves a chance to steal something -- ANYTHING -- out of this game is a borderline miracle.  But, after Jaccob Slavin swept in a rebound to make it 4-3 with just under 5 minutes remaining, Mikko Rantanen passed up Carolina's last best chance to score passing into a crowded crease rather than shoot from the right face off circle.  In fairness, Rantanen, who did pick up an assist tonight for his 3rd point in 7 games with the Hurricanes, was probably Carolina's best forward tonight.  Shayne Gostisbehere scored his first goal since December 10 off a feed from Sebastian Aho for Carolina's first goal of the night.  Andrei Svechnikov and Slavin had the others.  Pyotr Kochetkov allowed 4 goals on 21 shots.</p>

<p>Iced Tea with Meghan Lamontagne is a new podcast from Capitol Broadcasting Company that goes behind the scenes on life with the Canes. From what players eat pre and post game, to their exact napping schedule on game days, guests "spill the tea" on life with the Hurricanes. Episode one is out now and features an exclusive interview with Hurricanes Hall of Fame goalie, Cam Ward. </p> <p>Follow the show now in your podcast app, or watch each episode on YouTube. Links to all the ways to watch and listen <a href="https://www.podpage.com/iced-tea-with-meghan-lamontagne/">here</a>.</p>

<p>Seth Jarvis had two goals and two assists as the Canes beat Utah, 7-3, in the final game before the Four Nations Face Off winter break.  Jarvis dominated the 2nd period, scoring once on the power play, creating the play for the first of two Sebastian Aho goals, and then feeding him for a shorthanded marker that made the score 4-2 late in the period.  Then, just before the end of the frame, he took a pass from Jackson Blake and beat Utah goalie Karol Vejmelka on a breakaway for a 5-2 lead.  Jarvis and Aho each were a +4 on the night.  Jalen Chatfield had a goal and an assist.  Andrei Svechnikov and Jackson Blake each had two helpers.  Pyotr Kochetkov made 36 saves in the win.  </p>

<p>The Canes scored a goal, Sebastian Aho's 18th of the season, but they still fell short in a 2-1 loss to the Wild. The Canes gave up an early goal in the 1st and 3rd periods to fall behind, 2-0. But, even with nearly 40 shots on Minnesota goaltender Filip Gustavsson, they could muster the Aho goal, which came with their net empty in the final 3 minutes of regulation. Aho, Mikko Rantanen and Jackson Blake combined for 13 scoring chances - including the latter's penalty shot opportunity in the 2nd period - but it wasn't until the Canes had the extra attacker that they were able to break through. </p>

<p>The Canes dropped their second straight game, 3-0, in Winnepeg. The Jets scored twice on the power play while the Hurricanes went 0 for 2 with the man advantage in the loss. But, to show you how close the game was to going in Carolina's direction, Jackson Blake scored on the Canes' first power play only to have the goal waived off for goalie interference. Then, on Carolina's second power play, Mikko Rantanen hit the post from the top of the crease and that is the anatomy of a shutout. Pyotr Kochetkov made 27 saves in the loss. </p>

<p>The Canes didn't make the most of a good early start and fell, 4-2, to the Kings.  The loss snapped their 7-game points streak.  Jesperi Kotkaniemi got the Hurricanes on the board first with a deflection of Sean Walker's point drive with a little less than 5 minutes remaining in the first period.  But, Dimitry Orlov's turnover went right to L-A's Phillip Daneault, who's shot beat Frederik Andersen to tie the game.  Orlov was on the ice for 3 of the 4 Kings goals, and didn't play the last 8:20, after Kevin Fiala's second goal of the game made it 4-2.  Eric Robinson's 12th goal of the season drew the Canes within a goal early in the 3rd, but they would get no closer.  </p>

<p>Seth Jarvis scored shorthanded, Jaccob Slavin put on a clinic, and the Moose got loose for his first goal with the Hurricanes. The Canes defeated Chicago, 3-2. Mikko Rantanen's first goal with his new team gave Carolina a 2-1 lead early in the 2nd period. Then, just 1:07 later, Jaccob Slavin's rebound try of a Jackson Blake bid extended the Hurricanes' lead to 2-goals and they hung on for the win. Juha Jaaska had his first multi-point NHL game, assisting on the Jarvis goal - his 20th of the season and 3rd while shorthanded. Carolina played the game with just 17 skaters as Sebastian Aho and Taylor Hall each stayed home with whatever illness has been permeating through the Carolina dressing room. Ryan Suzuki, the Canes' 1st round pick in 2019, was called up from Chicago and made his NHL debut. Due to the salary cap, the Hurricanes could not call up another player. Pyotr Kochetkov made 18 saves for his 19th win of the year. </p> <p> </p>

<p>Frederik Andersen stopped 22 shots and Andrei Svechnikov scored twice as the Canes blanked the Rangers at the Garden, 4-0. Svechnikov scored 56 seconds into the game and then made it 2-0 with 31 seconds left in the 2nd period. Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis added goals early in the 3rd period. Taylor Hall and Mikko Rantanen each had a primary assist on Svechnikov's goals. It was the 3rd straight win for the Hurricanes over the Rangers this year. New York is 0-9 on the power play against Carolina. </p>

<p>The Canes jumped out to a 2-0 lead on early first period goals from Jack Roslovic and Sebastian Aho, but failed to score after that and lost in overtime to the Islanders, 3-2.  Pyotr Kochetkov made 23 saves in the loss.  The game saw the Hurricanes debuts for Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall, who were each acquired via trade Friday night.  They each played well, though neither factored in on any scoring plays.</p>

<p>The Carolina Hurricanes delivered the first major deal of the NHL season acquiring 2-time 100-point scorer Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forwards Martin Necas and Jack Drury as well a 2025 2nd round draft pick and a 2026 4th rounder.  It's a complicated deal that involed the Chicago Blackhawks, who agreed to assume half of Rantanen's $9.25 million salary AND send Carolina former 1st overall pick Taylor Hall.  Chicago receives a 3rd round pick in 2025 in return.  Oddly enough, it was their own 3rd round selection that they traded to Carolina in a 2024 draft deal.  </p>

<p>The Canes spotted Columbus a 2-0 lead after the first period, but scored 5 straight times in the second period and went on to win, 7-4. After Kent Johnson and Karil Marchenko took advantage of Carolina turnovers to put the Jackets ahead after one, the Hurricanes came out with nostrils flaring in the middle period. Seth Jarvis tapped in a Sebastian Aho pass for a power play goal. Then Jarvis found Eric Robinson in transition to bring the game even with more than 7 minutes gone in the frame. Jackson Blake scored off a face off 47 seconds later. Then, Carolina's rookie forward stole the puck from Columbus' star Zach Werenski, dropped it for Aho, who whistled a wrist shot through for a 4-2 lead. Those three goals came in a 1:22 span. Jordan Martinook closed out Carolina's 2nd period output off a great pass from Jarvis. Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored his 4th goal in the last 3 games in the 3rd period and Jarvis would add an empty net tally for the final total. Jarvis had his first ever 4-point game. Aho had a goal and 2 assists. Blake, Jordan Staal and Martin Necas each had 2 points. Frederik Andersen, who has now won 5 straight starts for the Canes, picked up the 300th win of his career. </p>

<p>The Canes rode Pyotr Kochetkov and Jesperi Kotkaniemi to a 2-1 win in Dallas. Kotchetkov steered 22 shots and Kotkaniemi had his first 2-goal game of the season in the win. The first goal came after Eric Robinson created a turnover in the offensive zone. The second resulted from his net front presence as a rebound caromed off his skate and came 24 seconds after the Stars tied the game at 1-1 midway through the 3rd period. It was the first time in a month that the Hurricanes have won 3 consecutive games. The win moved Carolina 3 points in front of New Jersey for 2nd place in the Metropolitan Division and the Hurricanes still have a game in hand over the Devils. Washington, who also won Tuesday night, remains on top with 69 points. Martin Necas had two assists in the win and Sean Walker created the game-winning goal with a drive to the net that resulted in Kotkaniemi's game winner off his skate. </p>

<p>The Canes gave up the first goal just 43 seconds into the game and lost, 4-2 in Buffalo. That goal set the tone for the game as the Hurricanes really never got anything going offensively. Andrei Svechnikov had a breakaway chance in the early part of the 2nd period that he failed to convert and that proved costly as Dylan Cozens scored off a Jaccob Slavin turnover at the other end to make it 2-0. Then, Ryan McLeod's second goal of the game, with just over 3 seconds left in the period, made it 3-0. Jaccob Slavin and Martin Necas would give the Hurricanes a chance with 3rd period goals, but the Sabres made it 4-2 with an empty net goal that was awarded when Brent Burns committed a penalty as McLeod was attempting to score. McLeod registered his first career hat trick. Dustin Tokarski gave up 3 goals in the loss. </p>

<p>For 50 minutes the Canes couldn't figure out a way through Lukas Dostal and the Ducks.  Then Andrei Svechnikov scored on the power play and Seth Jarvis got the equalizer with less than a minute to play in regulation to at least get the Hurricanes to overtime.  But, Cutter Gauthier's second goal of the game gave Anaheim the overtime win.  Carolina failed in their attempt to win 3 in a row for the first time since before Thanksgiving when the beat the Senators, St Louis and Philadelphia November 16, 17 and 20th, respectively.  Pyotr Kochetkov allowed 3 goals on 20 shots.</p>

<p>Jordan Staal scored for the 3rd straight game and Dustin Tokarski recorded his first shutout with the Hurricanes as Carolina beat the Canucks, 2-0. It was the second straight win for the Canes who have now won consecutive games for the first time since December 15th (Columbus) and 17th (NY Islanders).  Andrei Svechnikov scored his 14th goal of the season in the second period on a gorgeous individual play coming out of the corner to the right of the Vancouver net as he extends his point streak to 4 straight. Tokarski stopped 14 shots in the win, his 4th in 5 starts for Carolina.</p>

<p>In honor of the team retiring Eric Staal's number 12, teammates, close friends, and broadcasters tell us why Eric Staal was such a special player and person. From an 18-year old rookie, through a stint in the minor leagues to the Captaincy, Eric Staal also sparked a Shock at the Rock. If you are a Caniac, you will love this look back! </p>

<p>The Canes fell behind 2-0 for the second straight game. And, for the second straight game, ended up winning. This time they win it 6-3, thanks to a Jordan Staal hat trick. Sunday, against the Penguins, they needed overtime. But that 2-0 deficit was well-earned on the part of Carolina. So many players struggled to make plays that you could have played Yakkety Sax in the background. It had a very strong Benny Hill feel to it. Eric Robinson's 10th goal of the season, however, was the most critical piece of tonight's puzzle. His goal, off a rebound of a Ty Smith point shot, gave the Hurricanes hope after a dreadful start. And, when Andrei Svechnikov found Staal in front with 17 seconds after Robinson's marker, the Captain brought the game level. Staal's hat trick was the 5th of his career and the second with the Canes. Jackson Blake's 9th goal of the season ends up being the winner. That is his 5th, tying him with Martin Necas for 1st on the team. Pyotr Kochetkov was excellent tonight, stopping 30 Toronto shots. </p>

<p>The Canes fell behind Tampa Bay twice, responded with game-tying goals twice, but couldn't recover from Brayden Point's 24th goal of the season. Point's game winner, with less than 1 minute to play in the 3rd period, was the only blemish on an otherwise great performance by Pyotr Kochetkov. Carolina's goaltender made 31 saves, several of them at point blank range, but couldn't prevent Point's game-winner from sending the Hurricanes home with nothing to show for a game effort. Andrei Svechnikov snapped a 9-game goal drought with a 2nd period goal. Jordan Staal scored midway through the 3rd to tie the game at 2. </p>

<p>Sebastian Aho's 13th goal of the season gave the Canes a 4-3, overtime win over Pittsburgh and capped a rally from a 2-0 firsst period deficit.  Aho's 3rd point of the night was the 600th of his career and helped wash away the taste of being shut out Saturday night by the Minnesota Wild.  Seth Jarvis, who came in having scored just once in his last 13 games, buried a pair (10th and 11th) in the 2nd period as the Canes scored 3 times to turn a 2-deficit into a 3-2 lead entering the third.  Jalen Chatfield's 4th goal of the year tied the game at 2.  Dustin Tokarski made 16 saves for his 3rd win in 4 starts for the Hurricanes.</p>

<p>The Canes lost, 4-0, at home to the Minnesota Wild Saturday night.  The game really started off poorly as Carolina was given a 4-minute power play early in the first period.  But, they did nothing with it, generating just one shot on goal and it wasn't even a deemed a scoring chance by the analytics community.  The Canes two best chances to score in the entire game came just a few minutes apart as Sebastian Aho set up Seth Jarvis in front of Filip Gustavsson, but the Minnesota goaltender turned both aside.  Pyotr Kochetkov made 24 saves in the loss.  The Hurricanes have not won consecutive games since December 15 (Columbus) and 17 (NY Islanders).</p>

<p>Pyotr Kochetkov was the game's first star as the Canes beat the Panthers, 3-1, in Florida. Brent Burns and Jaccob Slavin scored goals for Carolina and Martin Necas iced the game into the empty net with 28 seconds left. Burns' goal came just 35 seconds into the game as his shot banked off Florida captain Alexsander Barkov and went past Sergei Bobrovsky. Then Slavin broke a 1-1 tie at 12:30 of the 3rd when he deposited a rebound of a Scott Walker drive from the right point. The whole play made possible by Jesperi Kotkaniemi's middle lane drive in which he was upended and sent into the crease - and forcibly held there - by Florida's Matthew Tkachuk. Kotchetkov made 25 saves in the win. </p> <p> </p>

<p>The Canes lost a 3rd period lead in Columbus and ended up losing in a shootout for the second time this year.  This time the score was 4-3 and the Hurricanes actually had a lead in the shootout through an Andrei Svechnikov goal.  But, Pyotr Kochetkov couldn't stop Kent Johnson and Adam Fantilli and when Sebastian Aho failed to extend to a 5th round the Jackets had their second shootout win over Carolina this year.  Ty Smith scored his first goal with the Hurricanes -- on the power play -- in the 1st period.  Jack Roslovic and Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored 2:31 apart in the second period to put the Canes in front.  Aho finished with two assists and now has 40 points in 37 games.</p>

<p>The Canes fell behind twice, but scored the final four goals of the game and beat the Devils, 5-2.  Sebastian Aho's 12th goal of the season drew Carolina even at 2-2 early in the 3rd period and then Jackson Blake's 8th of the year put the Hurricanes ahead to stay.  The Aho marker came just 51 seconds after Ondrej Palat put New Jersey on top 2-1, but Aho's shot went off Jake Allen and into the net to level the game.  Blake's goal, a deflection of a Jesperi Kotkaniemi wrist shot, came near the end of a major penalty given to Devils forward Timo Meier who was ruled to have gone knee to knee on Martin Necas.  Meier was given a 5-minute major and a game misconduct and Necas, who needed to be helped off the ice, was able to return.  Jack Roslovic closed out the scoring with his 15th and 16th goals of the year.  The latter into an empty net.  Dustin Tokarski steered aside 21 shots for his second win in 3 starts for the Hurricanes.</p>

<p>The Canes fell in Jersey, 4-2, as Jakob Markstrom made 29 saves -- several of them spectacular -- sending Carolina to their 3rd loss in their last 4 games.  Carolina is now 5-8-0 in their last 13 games and will skate with the same Devils team Saturday night in Raleigh.  Eric Robinson gave the Hurricanes the lead with his 9th goal of the season in the middle of the 1st period.  But, New Jersey scored twice, 42 seconds apart, late in the period to turn the game in their favor.  Brent Burns' 3rd of the season, 22 seconds into the 2nd and just after a power play expired, brought the Canes back level.  But, about 4 minutes later, Luke Hughes pounced on a rebound and the Hurricanes found themselves trailing again.  </p>

<p>The Canes spotted the Predators a 4-0 lead, fought back with two goals to close the gap, but couldn't get closer and lost 5-2 in Nashville. Dustin Tokarski allowed 4 goals on 25 shots, but was the least of Carolina's problems. The Hurricanes had trouble sustaining any offensive pressure on Nashville goaltender, Juuse Saros - at least until the Preds were already ahead by 4 goals. And, by then, it was too late. Jordan Staal and Sebastian Aho had the goals for the Hurricanes. </p>

<p>The Canes beat the Rangers, 3-1, Sunday afternoon at Madison Square Garden thanks to a stellar performance from goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov.  Coming off a 3-1 loss in Washington in which Kochetkov allowed a soft, late-second period goal, Carolina's goalie was the game's first star.  He gave up a Jimmy Vesey goal just 17 seconds into the game, but turned out the lights on Broadway the rest of the way.  And, if you throw away the bad goal allowed to the Caps, Kochetkov has been outstanding the last three games.  William Carrier and Jack Roslovic each scored goals that could be attributed to Carolina's power play.  Carrier's came just a few seconds after it expired. Roslovic's at the very end of a 4-minute double-minor that he drew when Alexis Lafreniere rearranged his dental work in the middle of the 2nd.  Sebastian Aho added an empty net goal as the Canes have now taken the first two games of the season series with New York.</p>

<p>Two late period goals doomed the Canes in their 3-1 loss to the Capitals. Aliaksei Protas scored with 43 seconds left in the 1st period. Then, his net-front screen allowed Connor McMichael to make it 3-0 with 27 seconds left in the 2nd. In between Jakub Vrana scored his 5th of the season. Charlie Lindgren stopped 24 of 25 shots on goal. The one he didn't was Seth Jarvis' 9th goal of the season. That goal snapped a 5-game goal drought. </p>

<p>Pyotr Kochetkov stopped 32 shots for his first shutout of the season as the Canes ran away from the Islanders, 4-0, at Lenovo Center. Kochetkov's best performance of the season featured nearly a dozen excellent saves as he allowed the Hurricanes to find their game and cruise to victory. Andrei Svechnikov opened the scoring on the power play in the first period. Jordan Martinook made it 2-0 less than 3 minutes later putting home a rebound of a Jordan Staal shot. Then Tyson Jost and Sebastian Aho scored in the 2nd period for the final margin. Aho's goal, on a 2-on-1 rush with linemate Eric Robinson, came with 17 seconds left in the period, was the dagger that sent the visitors to the canvas. Shayne Gostisbehere had 2 assists on the night and has 27 points in 31 games. The Hurricanes were 1 for 2 on the power play and killed off New York's lone man advantage opportunity. </p>

<p>Dustin Tokarski made 27 saves and the Canes got a huge shorthanded goal from Sebastian Aho in a 4-1 win over Columbus.  Tokarski, a 35-year old journeyman netminder starting an NHL game for his 6th different team, starred in his Hurricanes debut and his new teammates played a solid game from start to finish in the win.  The Canes were really led by the Captains line as Jordan Staal, Jordan Martinook and William Carrier combined for 5 points in the win.  Staal assisted on two goals while Martinook and Carrier each snapped 13-game goal droughts in the victory.  Jesperi Kotkaniemi's 5th closed out the scoring on the night.  Also worth noting that for the first time -- I think since the earth cooled -- the Hurricanes came out on the good end of a goaltender interference challenge as Martinook's 2nd period goal was upheld after video review.  Of course, they did have a goal ruled out for a hand pass on the ensuing power play, so the world can continue to spin on its axis.</p>

<p>The Canes were shut out by the Senators, 3-0, at Lenovo Center as Linus Ullmark did something he had never done before in his NHL career. As a starter for Buffalo and then Boston, Ullmark had appeared in 9 games against the Canes in the regular season and payoffs combined without ever recording a win. 32 saves later, Ullmark had his first against Carolina. Shane Pinto scored twice, his first two goals since opening night, and Nick Jenson added another, as the Hurricanes fell to 2-5-0 in their last 7 games. Pyotr Kochetkov stopped 19 shots in the loss. Carolina was 0-2 on the power play. </p> <p>* Adam is joined on the podcast by special guest, former PGA Tour golfer, Brad Fritsch, to discuss the game. </p>

<p>The Canes scored twice in the 3rd period, rallying to beat the Sharks, 3-2. Carolina was borderline lifeless for 40 minutes, but woke up and put on a very Canes-like display in the 3rd, scoring twice and dominating possession in the win. Brent Burns and Jalen Chatfield scored the goals and Pyotr Kochetkov overcame a rough first two periods to make some very good saves in the win. The Canes had just 13 5-on-5 goals over their last 9 games, but scored 3 times at normal strength. All three goals came through the blue line as Shayne Gostisbehere scored his 6th of the season to open the scoring. Burns' 2nd and Chatfield's 3rd provided the comeback. Kochetkov made 21 saves for his 12th win of the season. </p>