After falling 5-2 to the Florida Panthers in a disappointing performance, the Carolina Hurricanes bounced back by dominating the Tampa Bay Lightning. Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov tallied his fifth career shutout and his first of the 2023-24 season.
In a sold-out Amalie Arena, the Canes (9-6-0) traveled to Florida and shined against the Lightning (6-5-4). Carolina’s defense was all over the ice with four defenseman getting over 20 minutes of ice time. Defenseman Brent Burns tallied a goal during the third period, and defensemen Brady Skjei and Jaccob Slavin each got an assist.
Carolina dominated on offense within the first period and scored within the first three minutes. Left wing Teuvo Teravainen scored first for the Canes on a power play, delivering on a pass from center Sebastian Aho from across the ice and putting them up 1-0.
Finishing the first period with 15 shots on goal to the Lightning’s nine, the Canes were buzzing on the ice. Carolina kept the offensive power going with a goal from Aho, bringing the score to 2-0. Right wing Andrei Svechnikov fed a pass to the center, his fourth assist in seven games. Aho is currently tied alongside center Jesperi Kotkaniemi for first place on the Canes for points, each with 13 apiece.
The Canes defense kept the Tampa offense at only three shots during the second period. In the third period, the Lightning rebounded and got above the Canes in shots on goal, but Carolina still finished on top on the scoreboard.
After leading 2-0 heading into the third, Carolina still wasn’t satisfied. Burns scored first in the period with an assist from Skjei, bringing the score to 3-0. On a giveaway from the Lightning, Skjei moved the puck up the side of the ice then fed the puck to Burns, who tipped it past the Tampa netminder. About five minutes later, right wing Stefan Noesen got another tip-in shot to make it past the goaltender, pushing the final score to 4-0.
The Tampa offense was trying all night to make it past the Canes netminder and defensive depth — four Lightning offensive players rallied for 19 minutes of ice time. Burns, Slavin, Skjei and defenseman Brett Pesce all had over 20 minutes of ice time totaling four hits and four points.
Burns etched his name more into the NHL history books with his goal. His goal in the third period was his 248th goal in the league, elevating him over Hall of Fame defenseman Brian Leetch for ninth most goals by a defenseman in the NHL. Noesen also had an important game, with this matchup being his 300th career game in the league.
Kochetkov stopped 22 of the 22 shots he faced. With goaltender Frederick Andersen out indefinitely, Kochetkov will stay on the roster to hopefully make his mark on the team. With this shutout, he solidified Carolina’s one-two punch in goal. With this win, the Canes have won six of its past eight games.
Carolina will travel home to Raleigh for a five-game homestretch, taking on the Philadelphia Flyers first. Puck drop is set for Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
