Canes Corner

<p>Jordan Staal scored once and assisted on the game-winning goal as the Canes beat Ottawa, 5-3, in front of a capacity, opening night crowd at PNC Arena. Staal's goal came about 20 seconds into the 3rd period, giving Carolina a 3-1 lead. But, the Sens scored twice in a 35 second span to even the score at 3. 2:02 later, Jordan Martinook stole the puck in the offensive zone, then Staal and Jesper Fast set up Brady Skjei's one-timer that gave the Canes a 4-3 lead they would not give up. Jaccob Slavin finished the scoring with a short-handed goal. Teuvo Teravainen and Michael Bunting each had goals for the Hurricanes as they scored twice in the second period after trailing 1-0 after the first. Carolina heads west for the five games of a 6 game road trip starting Saturday night in Los Angeles. </p>

<p>The Carolina Hurricanes dominated the 1st and 3rd periods in a 4-1 win over the Nashville Predators as each team closed out the preseason at PNC Arena. The Canes got a first period goal from Teuvo Teravainen to open the scoring. Then goals from Seth Jarvis, Martin Necas and Michael Bunting added to the total. Frederik Andersen stopped 22 of 23 shots in the win. Though, to be fair, the only goal was a fluke, as Yakov Trenin's centering feed caromed off the skate of Jordan Staal and underneath Andersen to tie the game at 1 late in the 2nd. Carolina will open the regular season on Wednesday night at PNC against the Ottawa Senators. </p>

<p>Carolina lost 5-1 in Nashville. But, on the bright side, Antti Raanta and Pyotr Kochetkov each played well. Raanta made 21 saves and was very good in spite of allowing 5 goals in 2 periods. Kochetkov was spectacular in comfortably handling 13, 3rd period shots to keep his sheet clean. Ryan Suzuki had Carolina's lone goal and 18-year old Felix Unger-Sorum had that primary assist, but each left the game with an injury and did not return. Hopefully neither is a serious matter. The Hurricanes will close out the preseason Friday night at PNC Arena against the Predators. The Canes are scheduled to ice a lineup that is far more representative of the opening night group. </p>

<p>Adam Gold sits down with Jordan Staal to find out who his favorite player is, who it was, what it feels like to be the favorite and what he thinks of his brother Eric as a player.</p>

<p>Tony DeAngelo had a goal and assist and both Canes goaltenders played well in a 5-2 win over the Lightning. Former second round pick Noel Gunler scored on a breakaway and 18-year old winger Felix Unger-Sorum also played well and were among Carolina's best players on the ice. The Canes will take on the Florida Panthers at PNC Arena on Wednesday in their second preseason game. </p>

<p>Why did Sebastian Aho sign an 8-year extension with the Hurricanes?</p>

<p>Adam Gold is joined by The Athletic/North State Journal's Cory Lavalette to discuss where the Canes' roster sits with about 2 months prior to opening night</p>

<p>Carolina was shockingly active on the first day of NHL free agency.  They brought back forward Jesper Fast and both goaltenders, as Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta each agreed to contracts with slight pay cuts.  But, the real splash was the -- out of the blue --  signing of longtime Capitals defenseman Dimitri Orlov and former Toronto winger Michael Bunting.  What do those transactiions mean going forward?  And, what to make of the club's draft haul?  </p>

<p>In our second summer(ish) chat, I riff on the 4-year contract for Jordan Staal, the potential for the Canes to bring Tony DeAngelo back to Raleigh, and elimination of special warm up jerseys as a remedy for protecting players who refuse to support "Pride" night.  </p>

<p>With a week before the NHL Draft, I caught up with Cory Lavalette and Sara Civian to talk about the offseason plans for the Hurricanes.  What do they need?  How will they sign some of their key players like Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei?  Is Jesperi Kotkaniemi a 2nd line center?  Will there have to be a peaceful transfer of the "C" to Sebastian Aho?  And, more...</p>

<p>The Florida Panthers completed a 4-game sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals with a 4-3 win.  Matthew Tkachuk scored a power play goal with 4.9 seconds left for his 4th goal of the playoffs, his 3rd power play goal and his 3rd game-winner.  Paul Stastny, Teuvo Teravainen and Jesper Fast scored for Carolina in the loss.</p>

<p>The Carolina Hurricanes did everything Monday night except score a goal and as a result their 1-0 loss to the Florida Panthers pushed them to the brink of elimination.  Florida leads the series 3 games to none with Game 4 on Wednesday night at FLA Live Arena.  Sam Reinhart's second period power play goal was the only marker on the night and Sergei Bobrovsky's 32 saves were all the Panthers needed to move within one game of their second ever Stanley Cup Finals appearance.  Bobrovsky has now stopped 132 of 135 shots on goal in the series, a save percentage of .978.  Freddie Andersen stopped 16 of 17 Florida shots in the loss.</p>

<p>Matthew Tkachuk's second straight overtime goal beat the Carolina Hurricanes, 2-1 on Saturday night giving the Florida Panthers a 2-0 series lead heading back to Sunrise for Game 3 on Monday.  Tkachuk scored on the power play less than 2 minutes into overtime for the win.  But, it was probably Carolina's power play that really did in the Hurricanes.  The Canes had three chances wtih the man advantage and each started out fine, but fizzled amid a sea of poor passing.  And, in the second period, about a minute after Aleksander Barkov came out of the penalty box, he was left alone in front of the Canes' net and he beat Antti Raanta to tie the score.  Raanta made 24 saves in the loss, his second straight hard-luck loss in the playoffs.  Raanta was also in net for Carolina's 3-2 loss to the Islanders in Game 5 in the opening round.  Jalen Chatfield scored the Hurricanes only goal at 1:43 of the first period, redirecting a Sebastian Aho pass through Sergei Bobrovsky for a 1-0 lead.  Bobrovsky has stopped 100 of 103 Hurricanes shots in the series for a .971 save percentage.</p>

<p>For the first time in the last two playoff seasons the Carolina Hurricanes lost game one on home ice.  Matthew Tkachuk’s goal just before the death of the 4th overtime made Florida a 3-2 winner.  The two teams combined for 125 shots on goal with Frederik Andersen and Sergei Bobrovsky making 120 saves in the classic duel.  Andersen (57 saves) was at his best in the OT, making 15 Grade-A stops before Tkachuk’s game-winner.  Bobrovsky robbed so many Hurricanes that Raleigh Police considered calling in the State Bureau of Investigations (clearly a joke).  Carolina went 2 for 6 on the power play while going a perfect 3 for 3 on the penalty kill in the loss.  Game 2 is Saturday at 8:00 at PNC Arena.</p>

<p>At 12:51 of overtime, Jesper Fast's deflection of a Jesperi Kotkaniemi shot slipped through New Jersey goaltender Akira Schmid sending the Carolina Hurricanes to the Eastern Conference Finals.  It will be the second trip to the NHL's final four in the five years Rod Brind'Amour has been behind the bench.  The goal was Fast's 5th of the playoffs after scoring 10 in 80 games this season.  It was also his second overtime goal in the postseason having ended Game 2 in the opening round series with the Islanders.  Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns each scored as well for Carolina.  Slavin's goal came in the 1st minute of the second period, while Burns' came in the last minute of the middle frame.  Burns' 2nd of the playoffs and second in as many games, tied the score at 2.  Frederik Andersen made 27 saves for his 5th playoff win and raised his save percentage to .931 in 6 games.  Carolina awaits the winner of the series between the Panthers and Maple Leafs with Florida holding a 3-1 lead heading to Friday's Game 5 in Toronto.</p>

<p>Martin Necas scored twice, netting both the tying goal and the eventual game-winner, as Carolina bounced back from Sunday's 8-4 loss AND an early 1-0 deficit in a 6-1 win over the Devils.  The Hurricanes now lead the best-of-7 series 3 games to 1 with Game 5 coming Thursday in Raleigh.  Jack Hughes scored early in the 1st period to give the Devils an early lead.  And that lead held up until 17:40 of the frame when Martin Necas' first of the game leveled the score.  Necas would score before the 8-minute mark of the 2nd to tie give the Hurricanes a 2-1 lead and from that point the floodgates opened.  Brett Pesce, Jesper Fast and Brent Burns all scored, with the 5 goals coming in a 5:20 span of the period.  And, when Jordan Martinook ripped one off the crossbar and in with 24 seconds left in the 2nd the Canes had a 6-1 lead.  Frederik Andersen made 21 saves in the win, his 4th so far in the postseason.</p>

<p>It was an awful start and a feisty finish as the Hurricanes lost, 8-4, to the Devils in Game 3 of their best of seven series.  New Jersey scored 3 times in the first period, including a shorthanded goal that made it 3-0.  Then opened the second period with a 4th marker in the first minute.  So, everything that happened after that might be taken with a grain of salt.  But, Carolina scored three times while shorthanded, including a Jordan Martinook penalty shot, and got goals from Sebastian Aho, Jordan Staal and Seth Jarvis in the loss.  Frederik Andersen allowed the first four goals and was lifted for Pyotr Kochetkov.  Game 4 is Tuesday night in New Jersey.</p>

<p>Frederik Andersen stopped 28 shots, Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored twice and the Carolina Hurricanes dusted the New Jersey Devils, 6-1 to grab a 2-0 series lead.  Game 3 in on Sunday afternoon at the Prudential Center in Newark.  After a scoreless first period, the Hurricanes scored 4 times in the 2nd period with Kotkaniemi getting an early brace.  His power play goal at 1:35 gave the Canes a 1-0 lead and then scored roughly 2 minutes later to double the score.  Jordan Staal and Martin Necas would score in the final 3 minutes of the period to make it 4-0.  Carolina got 3rd period goals from Jordan Martinook and Stefan Noesen to close out the scoring.  In his 3 playoff starts, Andersen has a 3-0 record with a 0.97 goals against average and a .963 save percentage.</p>

<p>The Carolina Hurricanes got off to a super start in a 5-1 win over the Devils to open up their best-of-seven series.  Brett Pesce and Seth Jarvis each scored during a dominant opening period that saw Carolina out-shoot New Jersey 10-1.  Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Brady Skjei and Jesper Fast would add goals and Frederik Andersen made 17 saves in the win.  He's 2-0 in the playoffs with 50 saves on 52 shots on goal.  Also starring, Carolina's penalty kill which was 2 for 2 on the night and has now stopped 19 of 20 power plays this postseason.  Game 2 is Friday night at 8:00 at PNC Arena.</p>

<p>Paul Stastny's 3rd goal of the series, 6 minutes into overtime, gave the Hurricanes a 2-1 win over the Islanders and ended the series in Game 6 on Long Island.  Trailing 1-0 midway through the 3rd period, Sebastian Aho batted down a puck and then backhanded it past Ilya Sorokin to even the score.  Frederik Andersen made his first playoff start in a Hurricanes uniform and stopped 33 shots for the win and closed out a postseason series for the first time in 8 years.  His last series-ending win was on May 10, 2015 when his Anaheim Ducks knocked off the Calgary Flames in the Western Conference semifinals.  The Canes await the winner of the series between the Devils and Rangers in the second round.</p>

<p>The Hurricanes played well, but were victim to a couple of costly mistakes in a 3-2 loss at PNC Arena in Game 5.  The series now shifts back to Long Island for Game 6 on Friday night.  Brent Burns and Jaccob Slavin combined on a 1st period miscue that ended up on Pierre Engvall's stick and he slid the puck underneath the left pad of Antti Raanta for a 1-0 lead.  Then, New York got a fortunate bounce as an Engvall shot deflected off the face of Sebastian Aho and fell to Brock Neslon at the side of the goal.  Nelson batted the puck in out of the air for a 2-0 lead.  Paul Stastny brought a goal back on a deflection of a Jalen Chatfield point shot.  But, the Isles restored the 2-goal margin late in the 2nd period after Martin Necas had the puck stolen from him at the blue line leading to a Matt Barzal goal.  Sebastian Aho closed out the scoring midway through the 3rd on a beautiful pass from Seth Jarvis but Carolina couldn't find the equalizer.</p>

<p>Seth Jarvis scored his first two goals of the series to back up a 27-save Antti Raanta performance as the Carolina Hurricanes ran over the New York Islanders, 5-2 in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.  The Hurricanes have a 3 games to 1 lead in the series and can close it out Tuesday night in Raleigh.  With the Islanders trying to intimidate the Hurricanes with -- at times -- excessive, post-whistle physicality, Carolina's only effecitve mode of response is to score goals.  Seth Jarvis answered Ryan Pulock's boarding of Jack Drury with a 5-on-3 power play goal to open the scoring.  Then, after Matt Martin leveled MacKenzie MacEachern after the horn at the end of the period, Martin Necas opened the second with a power play goal to make it 2-0.  Sebastian Aho, Jarvis and MacEachern added goals.  Aho had a 3-point game and MacEachern also had an assist in his Hurricanes debut after spending all season with the Chicago Wolves in the American Hockey League.  Carolina is 5 for 19 on the power play in the series while the Isles are just 1 for 12.</p>

<p>The Carolina Hurricanes 5th penalty was the breaking point as Kyle Palmeiri's deflection from outside of the goal got past Antti Raanta to give the Islanders a 2-1 late 3rd period lead en route to a 5-1 win on Long Island.  Carolina still leads the series 2 games to 1 with Game 4 Sunday afternoon.  The Canes lone goal came from Jesper Fast who scored shorthanded on a feed from Jordan Staal to even the score at 1-1 late in the 2nd period.  New York was 1 for 5 on the power play while the Hurricanes were 0 for 3.  </p>

<p>Jesper Fast scored at 5:03 of overtime as the Hurricanes rallied to beat the Islanders, 4-3, and take a 2-0 series lead in their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series.  The Canes and Isles will play Game 3 on Friday night on Long Island.  Carolina had a 2-0 lead midway through the 2nd period thanks to a Paul Stastny goal and an own goal off the stick of New York defenseman Sebastian Aho.  But, some loose play and shaky goaltending saw the Islanders take a 3-2 lead on goals from Kyle Palmeiri, Matthew Barzal and Brock Nelson.  But, Jaccob Slavin scored off Ilya Sorokin from behind the goal line  with less than 8 minutes to play in regularion setting up Fast's overtime heroics.  Carolina lost forward Teuvo Teravainen to a broken hand on a late 3rd period slash, he'll have surgery on Thursday and is out indefinitely.</p>

<p>Sebastian Aho and Stefan Noesen each scored on the power play and Antti Raanta stopped 24 shots as the Carolina Hurricanes took game 1 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Series from the New York Islanders, 2-1.  The Canes scored on each of their first two tries with the man advantage and Raanta won his 3rd consecutive series-opening game for Carolina.  Carolina's penalty kill was also stellar, shutting the Isles out on 4 opportunities.  New York registered 3 shots on goal during their first attempt, but just 1 on their other three combined.  Brent Burns and Martin Necas each had 2 assists on the night.  Game 2 is Wednesday night at PNC Arena.</p>

<p>The Hurricanes survived a gong show of a 3rd period in a 6-4 win over the Panthers as they claim their second straight Metropolitan Division title.  Brent Burns scored twice, including the go-ahead goal in the 3rd period after the Panthers erased a 2-0 deficit in the first 3 and a half minutes of the frame.  His first goal opened the scoring in the 1st period, but the Canes, who had so many chances to put the game away early, carried just a 2-0 lead into the 3rd.  And, when the Panthers quickly drew even it was up to Burns to do it again.  His 2nd of the game and 18th of the year found it's way from the blue line, through traffic and past Alex Lyon for the goal that put the Canes ahead to stay.  Jesper Fast doubled the lead just 21 seconds later.  Shayne Gostibehere and Sebastian Aho would add empty net goals before the final horn.  Carolina will meet the New York Islanders in the series that begins either Monday or Tuesday of next week.</p>

<p>Antti Raanta made 20 saves, Stefan Noesen, Jordan Martinook, Brent Burns and Jesperi Kotkaniemi all scored as the Canes beat Detroit, 4-1, ending a 3-game losing streak.  The two points earned also means that Carolina can do no worse than finish second in the division, thus they will have home ice advantage for at least their opening round series.  The Hurricanes can clinch the Motropolitan Division on Thursday by beating the Panthers in Florida.  Carolina can also win the divisioin with a loss, either in regulation or in overtime, as long as their result at least matches that of the Devils who will close out their season in Wshington.  </p>

<p>The Carolina Hurricanes dropped their third straight game -- all on the road -- losing to the Senators, 3-2.  Claude Giroux had two goals and an assist for the Senators who broke a a 2-2 tie in the 3rd with a 4-on-4 goal and hung on the rest of the way.  The Canes fell behind 2-0 in the 1st period, but fought back behind goals from Brett Pesce and Brent Burns (PPG) to tie the game early in the 3rd.  But, they couldn't find a third after Giroux restored Ottawa to the lead.  Carolina still leads the Metropolitan Division by 1 point with 2 games to play.  They'll host Detroit in the home finale Tuesday night while the Devils host the Buffalo Sabres.</p>

<p>The Hurricanes let a 3-2 second period lead fall by the wayside in a 4-3 loss in Buffalo.  It was the 2nd straight loss for the Hurricanes but they managed to hang onto sole possession of 1st place in the east thanks to Boston's 2-1 win over the Devils.  The Canes have a 1-point lead with 3 games to play and will take on the Senators in Ottawa on Monday.  Seth Jarvis, Jesper Fast and Sebastian Aho each scored in the loss.  It was Aho's 35th of the season, Fast's 9th and Jarvis' 14th and first in 22 games.  It was the first regulation loss for Antti Raanta since November 12.</p>

<p>The Canes gave up a shorthanded goal on an early power play and then Frederik Andersen's right skate scored on himself as the Canes fell in Nashville 3-0. The Hurricanes put 32 shots on Jusi Saros, but could not dent the scoresheet. Carolina's lead in the Metro is down to one point after the Devils win over  Columbus. Next up is a Saturday matinee in Buffalo at 12:30p.</p>

<p>The Carolina Hurrricanes got the 4th overtime game winning goal of the season and beat the Ottawa Senators, 3-2, at PNC Arena Tuesday night.  The win was Carolina's 3rd in a row and helped them maintain their 3-point lead over the New Jersey Devils in the Metropolitan Division.  Jersey defeated Pittsburgh at home on Tuesday as well.  After goals from Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Brady Skjei staked the Canes to a 2-0 lead after the first period the Senators really assumed control of the game.  Claude Giroux scored midway through the 2nd period to halve the lead and Brady Tkachuk followed in the 3rd with a power play goal and Carolina was just trying to survive into overtime.  And, in the OT is where Necas does his best work.  His 4 OT GWG's are best in the NHL.  Antti Raanta made 26 saves for the win and is now 15-0-2 in his last 19 appearances.  He's not lost in regulation since November 12 at Colorado.  The Canes next play Thursday night in Nashville.</p>

<p>Jordan Martinook's first goal in more than two months gave the Carolina Hurricanes a 2-1 lead early in the 3rd period and then Frederik Andersen and company did the rest as the Canes held on for the win.  Coupled with the Devils loss in Winnipeg Carolina's lead in the Metropolitan Division is now 3 points with 6 games left to play.  Martinook's goal was his 12th of the season and his first since a February 1st win in Buffalo.  Jesperi Kotkaniemi also scored for the Hurricanes, his 15th on the season and first in 10 games.  Kotkaniemi's goal evened the score midway through the 2nd period.  On the play, Jesse Puljujarvi registered his first point as a Hurricanes player, getting the primary assist on the game-tying goal.  Andersen made 21 saves for his first win in 4 starts.  The Canes are off on Monday and will host Ottawa on Tuesday night at PNC Arena.</p>

<p>Antti Raanta made 14 saves in his first appearance in three and a half weeks as the Hurricanes shut out the Canadiens, 3-0, at the Bell Centre in Montreal.  Brady Skjei, Paul Stastny and Sebastian Aho each scored as the Canes snapped a 3-game losing streak.  For Skjei, his 17th goal of the season set a franchise record for most team goals in a season from the blue line.  Carolina now has 52 goals from defensemen this year with 7 games left to play.  Aho's 34th came on the power play and closed out the scoring.  The Hurricanes were 3 for 3 on the penalty kill.  They maintain a 1-point lead on the New Jersey Devils heading into Sunday's home game with the New York Islanders.</p>

<p>Jake Walman scored with less than 4 seconds left in the 3rd period sending the Hurricanes to their 3rd straight loss.  Carolina's lead in the Metropolitan Division is down to 1 as the Devils defeated the Rangers, 2-1.  Brent Burns and Jaccob Slavin scored 3:36 apart early in the second period to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead.  But, just 3 minutes later, with Martin Necas in the penalty box for hooking, Dylan Larkin scored on the power play to bring the game even. The Canes were 0 for 3 on their own power play.  Carolina will play at Montreal Saturday night.</p>

<p>The Hurricanes were shut out at home by the Tampa Bay Lightning, 4-0, on Tuesday night as they failed to extend their Metropolitan Division lead over the idle New Jersey Devils.  The Canes continue to have a 3-point cushion atop the division with 9 games to play in the regular season.  Brayden Point scored twice and Steven Stamkos added his 21st career goal against Carolina as the Bolts snapped a 4-game losing streak.  Pyotr Kochetkov didn't play nearly as well as he did in Saturday's win over Toronto, stopping 18 of 21 shots he faced.  The Hurricanes will next play on Thursday night in Detroit.</p>

<p>It was the proverbial mixed bag for the Hurricanes in their 4-3 shootout loss to the Bruins at PNC Arena.  Freddie Andersen made a boatload of excellent saves in the game, including back to back robberies of Tyler Bertuzzi and David Krejci late in the3 3rd period.  However, all three goals he allowed could be put in the "soft" file.  But, the Canes got a point anyway thanks to early 3rd period goals from Brady Skjei (16th) and Sebastian Aho (33rd).  What it means is that the Hurricanes have a 3-point lead in the Metropolitan Divisioin over the New Jersey Devils with a game in hand.  Jersey plays at the Islanders tomorrow night and the Hurricanes will next skate here in Raleigh against Tampa Bay on Tuesday</p>

<p>More than anything, the Hurricanes have needed a game in which their goaltender stole a win.  For as many times as it's seemed to happen to them, the Canes haven't had too many nights where they got the game take to them only to have the goelie stand on his head and win the night.  At PNC Arena, against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Pyotr Kochetkov did just that.  41 saves for his 12th win of the season and one of his best performances in the NHL was enough to get the Canes to the finish line with 2 points in hand.  Speaking of the "Finnish" line, Sebastian Aho's goal with less than 3 minutes to play proved to be the game-winne.  And, it turned a night in which his line was largely ineffective against Toronto.  Brent Burns, Jordan Staal, Stefan Noese and Teuvo Teravainen also scored in the win as the Canes raised their point total to 102 on the year.  That's two more than the New Jersey Devils who were home winners over the Senators on Saturday.  Carolina will host Boston at 5:00 pm on Sunday.</p>

<p>Carolina scored three times in the 3rd period and beat the Rangers at Madison Square Garden, 3-2.  The Canes twice rallied from a 1-goal deficit, the second time coming just 18 seconds after falling behind 2-1.  Stefan Noesen's first goal in 16 games brought Carolina even at 2 and set the stage for Teuvo Teravainen's 11th of the season.  Jalen Chatfield also scored for Carolina, his 6th of the year and his 2nd in as many games at MSG.  The Canes lead the Metropolitan Division by 2 points after the Devils lost in overtime, 2-1, at home to the Wild.  Carolina reaches 100 points for just third time in franchise history.  And, they do so with 13 games still to play.  They'll meet the Rangers on Thursday at PNC Arena.</p>

<p>For the 4th time this year, Martin Necas scored a late third period goal to force overtime.  Saturday night in Philadelphia, Necas' goal with :00.3 seconds left tied the game at 4-4.  Then, Sebastian Aho ended it on the first shift of overtime with his 3rd goal of the game and his 30th of the season.  Necas and Aho also combined on the game's opening goal helping Carolina's goal leader snap a 7-game goal drought.  Carolina's miraculous win coupled with New Jersey's come-from-ahead loss at Florida means that the Canes have a 3-point lead in the Metropolitan Division with 14 games to play.</p>

<p>The Hurricanes made too many mistakes and the Maple Leafs took adavantage in a 5-2 loss in Toronto.  Pyotr Kochetkov yielded 5 goals on 24 shots in the loss.  Brady Skjei and Martin Necas scored goals for the Canes.  Carolina heads to Philadelphia for the middle game of the three game road trip Saturday afternoon at 5:00 still leading the Metro by 1 point over the Devils</p>

<p>Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored two goals -- a gorgeous, wrap-around marker in the 2nd period and then a 120 foot, empty netter with 4 seconds left -- as the Hurricanes beat the Winnipeg Jets, 5-3 at PNC Arena.  Carolina was in dire need of a win.  They'd lost two straight, saw their division lead evaporate after consecutive shutout losses.  AND, they were playing for the first time since learning that Andrei Svechnikov was done for the year with an ACL tear.  They needed a win in the worst way.  Jaccob Slavin and Brady Skjei got the offense going first, then Kotkaniemi and Jack Drury handled the rest.  Drury's goal was his first of the year and came a day after being recalled from the minors.  Expect him to geet regular playing time the rest of the way.  Canes are off until Friday when they play in Toronto.  That is the first of a 3-game road trip that will take them to Philadelphia and then Madison Square Garden to meet the Rangers.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>arv3bqmd</p>

<p>The Carolina Hurricanes were handing out goals like they were candy bars on halloween.  The Devils scored three times off Hurricanes mistakes and that was more than enough to beat the Canes who have now gone nearly three full games without a goal.  Carolina Hasn't scored since Andrei Svechnikov's 1st period power play goal  on Thursday against the Flyers.  That's a 177:51 second span without a goal.  Canes are off until Tuesday when they host the Winnipeg Jets.  Andrei Svechnikov missed the game with a lower body injury, but was on the trip so it might not be a long absence from the line up.</p>

<p>The Carolina Hurricanes couldn't solve Jonathan Quick and the Golden Knights in a 4-0 home ice loss.  Carolina conceded a goal early in the 1st period and then late in the 2nd to trail 2-0 after two periods.  the Golden Knights saw the game out from there.  Carolina had their 4-game winning streak snapped and head to New Jersey with a 2-point lead in the Metropolitan Division over the Devils.  Canes have taken 2 of the 3 games from Jersey this year so far, and will be trying to keep them in the rear view mirror over the final 4 weeks of the regular season.</p>

<p>The Hurricanes won their 4th in a row, 1-0, over the Flyers as Pyotr Kochetkov got the start after being recalled for the injured Antti Raanta.  Pyotr, made 19 saves iin the win.  Andrei Svechnikov scored the only goal the Hurricanes would need 2:09 into the first period as the Canes connected on their first power play of the night.  After that, Carolina had enough chances, but the Flyers blocked 22 shots and many of them looked like certain goals.  Carolina remains 4 points in front of the Devils in the Metropolitan Division race with 19 games left to play.  Carolina's 43rd win of the year is second only to Boston's 49.  The Canes will host Vegas on Saturday night before playing Sunday at New Jersey to close out the season series with the Devils.</p>

<p>Jesper Fast's late 3rd period goal brought Carolina even and allowed Jesperi Kotkaniemi's shootout winner to give the Canes a 4-3 win over the Canadiens. The win gives Carolina a 4-point lead over New Jersey -- with a game in hand -- after the Devils lost at home to Toronto. Jaccob Slavin and Brady Skjei each scored for Carolina, who spent the majority of the first two periods making a mess with the puck. Turnovers led to all three Montreal goals as the Habs took a 3-2 lead into the 3rd. But, Jesper Fast forced a turnover that led to his rebound goal and, ultimately, to the Canes' 20th road win of the season. Carolina is off until taking on the Flyers at PNC Arena on Thursday</p>

<p>Teuvo Teravainen's second career hat trick was one of many highlights in the Canes' 6-0 pasting of the Lightning. Jesperi Kotkaniemi had the first 5-point game of his NHL career, notching a goal and four assists, Martin Necas had three helpers, and the Hurricanes went 4 for 5 on the power play in winning their second straight game. Carolina is now 7 for 9 with the man advantage the last two nights with the addition of defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, who tallied a power play goal for the second straight night and tossed in a couple of assists as well. Freddie Andersen didn't have to do much, but a shut out is a shut out -- his first of the year, and Carolina's 7th as a team. The Canes lead the Metro by 2 points over the Devils with a game in hand.</p>

<p>The Hurricanes celebrated the passing of the trade deadline with a 6-1 pasting of the Arizona Coyotes. One of the Canes' acquisitions, former Arizona defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, jump started the power play with his 11th goal of the season and then Carolina proceeded to score two more with the man advantage. Sebastian Aho and Martin Necas added extra man goals, for Aho it was the second of two on the night for him. Carolina's lead in the Metro is up to 2 points over New Jersey, who lost to Vegas in a shootout.</p>

<p>The Hurricanes dropped a 3-2 decision to the Golden Knights in Las Vegas less than 48 hours before the trade deadline. Are the Hurricanes additions enough? Will Jesse Puljujarvi and Shayne Gostisbehere help keep the Canes on top of the Metropolitan Division and be enough to advance deep in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Or, with still a little more than 24 hours to go, will the front office make another move to fortify what has been one of the best teams in the NHL all season?</p>

<p>The Carolina Hurricanes won their 4th straight, a 4-1 win over the Blues, as Andrei Svechnikov busted out of a 19-game goal drought with a pair of 1st period goals. Andrei's 20th and 21st goals of the season staked the Canes to a lead they would never relinquish. Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis would add goals in the 2nd and 3rd period's, respectively as that trio accounted for all four goals and 8 total points on the night. Freddie Andersen's 3rd straight win continued his strong run of play. In his last three games he's sporting a save percentage of .959 and he is now 14-4-0 on the season. Carolina leads New Jersey by 5 points in the Metropolitan Division with a game in hand over the Devils. The Hurricanes are off for two days before hosting the Senators and Ducks in back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday.</p>

<p>The Carolina Hurricanes, the Triangle and hockey fans all over the state showed the NHL world what this market was all about. Nearly 57,000 folks showed up -- and showed out -- as the Canes beat the Capitals, 4-1, and stamped themselves a bonafide hockey destination with the entire presentation at Carter-Finley Stadium. I'm joined by two friends of mine (@RealJaiKumar and @BWSTanley26) who were there to talk about the experience, the meaning, and a little about the game.</p>