The Carolina Hurricanes ended their two-game losing streak by defeating the Minnesota Wild 3-2 thanks to a third-period goal from right wing Stefan Noesen, a multi-point performance from captain Jordan Staal and another superb night between the pipes.
The Canes (35-18-6) played the second game of a three-game road trip against the Wild (28-25-6), securing two points in a back-and-forth game where both goaltenders had to be sharp to keep their teams competitive.
Carolina started strong, quickly gaining a 5-0 shot advantage over the Wild. However, halfway through the period, a penalty gave goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov his first action of the night. Despite the pressure, Kochetkov made several excellent saves, but the Wild powerplay shifted momentum in favor of the home team.
Shortly after Carolina killed the penalty, center Connor Dewar capitalized on a failed clearing attempt, scoring the game’s opening goal. The period remained competitive, but Carolina managed to equalize. Defenseman Jaccob Slavin’s one-timer slap shot was blocked in front of the net by left wing Jordan Martinook, finding the stick of Staal, who flicked it past goaltender Filip Gustavson’s glove.
The tie was short-lived, as the Wild responded with a goal of their own just 20.3 seconds before the period ended. Defenseman Jonas Brodin’s shot from the point beat Kochetkov. Despite Carolina’s 13-7 shot advantage the Canes still trailed.
In the second period, Kochetkov faced most of the action, saving all 12 shots he encountered. Carolina managed to tie the game late in the period, with Staal setting up center Seth Jarvis, who found right wing Andrei Svechnikov on a rush, sliding a one-timer through Gustavsson’s five-hole with 24.4 seconds remaining. Carolina managed to tie the game at two but was struggling to find a groove on the offensive side of the ice.
Carolina began the third period with a successful penalty kill, highlighted by Kochetkov’s crucial save on center Marco Rossi, who was left open in front of the net. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour adjusted all four of his lines, which eventually led to a Hurricanes power play. As the man advantage expired, the Hurricanes scored the game-winning goal, with center Jack Drury’s shot deflecting off Gustavsson’s blocker and then off Noesen’s face into the net.
The Hurricanes managed to withstand the Wild’s final push, securing the victory and two points. Kochetkov ended the night with 28 saves and continues his stellar play.
It was a record-tying night for Slavin, as his assist on Staal’s goal tied defenseman Justin Faulk for the most points by a defenseman in Canes/Whalers history, with 258.
The Hurricanes continue to hold onto second place in the Metropolitan division standings and sit five points behind the New York Rangers. The team will have three more games before the NHL trade deadline on Friday, March 8. With the team’s recent offensive struggles they could look to add a top-nine forward to the team.
Carolina will stay on the road and return to action on Thursday, Feb. 29, at 7 p.m. when they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets.
