Canes Corner

The Canes jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to a pair of Sebastian Aho goals. But, the Panthers seized their chances in the 2nd period, scoring 3 times in a 4:36 span and went on to win it 5-3. Florida advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals for the third straight year winning the series 4 games to 1. Seth Jarvis scored a 3rd period goal that brought the game even at 3-3, but Carter Verhaeghe scored less than 4 minutes later to restore the Panthers to the lead and the Canes never scored again. 

Frederik Andersen came back into the lineup after mising Game 3 and shut out the Panthers on 20 shots.  Logan Stankoven scored early in the 2nd period to give the Canes their first lead of the series.  That goal proved to be the game-winner, though Carolina would add on 2 empty net goals for the final total.  Game 5 will be Wednesday night in Raleigh.

The Canes were one good third period away from possibly winning Game 3 and making the Panthers sweat out this Eastern Conference Final series.  But, the Panthers scored 5 times in a 9:08 span and cruised to a 6-2 win.  Pyotr Kochetkov started and was excellent for 40 minutes, but he ran out of magic as Florida moved to within 1 win of their 3rd straight Stanley Cup Finals series.

The Panthers took advantage of a bevy of Hurricanes mistakes and humiliated Carolina in Game 2. Andrei Svechnikov turned the puck over 3 times in the 1st period. The first directly led to a Gustav Forsling goal just 77 seconds into the game. Florida led the game 3-0 before the first intermission and the Canes never really threatened. Sebastian Aho did have a goal called back for the play being offside early in the 2nd period, but Carolina never really threatened to score after that and Florida are two home wins away from reaching their third straight Stanley Cup Finals. 

The Panthers scored twice on the power play, Sergei Bobrovsky outplayed Frederik Andersen, and the Canes lost Game 1, 5-2. They trail the Eastern Conference Finals 1-0 with Game 2 on Thursday. Sebastian Aho and Jackson Blake scored for the Hurricanes, but once they fell behind they never got their footing in the game. Bobrovsky made 31 saves. Andersen allowed 5 goals on 20 shots. 

The Canes got another game-winning goal from Andrei Svechnikov and Frederik Andersen stopped 18 of 19 shots he saw as Carolina won 3-1 and claimed the series in 5 games. Carolina will play the winner of the series between the Panthers and Maple Leafs for the right to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. Jordan Staal and Seth Jarvis also scored for the Hurricanes who improved to 5-0 in the playoffs when they score the first goal. 

Freddie Andersen stopped 19 shots, Taylor Hall and Sean Walker scored huge 3rd period goals and the Canes beat the Capitals, 5-2, taking a 3-1 lead in the series. The Hurricanes can eliminate the Capitals on Thursday night in Washington. Carolina lead 1-0 after 1 on a Shayne Gostisbehere goal. Seth Jarvis scored early in the 2nd to double the lead. Hall and Walker answered Washington 3rd period goals as once Carolina had the lead they never gave it up. For what this is worth, the Hurricanes have never lost a best-of-seven series in which they held a 3-1 lead. 

The Canes beat the Caps, 4-0, Saturday night as Frederik Andersen shut Washington out on 21 saves and Andrei Svechnikov scored his 6th goal of the playoffs.  Carolina takes a 2-1 series lead heading to Game 4 on Monday night.  Andersen's best work was done early steering aside 9 Washington shots in the first period to keep the game scoreless.  Svechnikov broke the scoreless tie with a great goal right off of an offensive zone face off.  Jack Roslovic scored his firsst goal of the playoffs on the power play before the end of the second period.  Eric Robinson and Jackson Blake scored in the 3rd period with Blake's goal coming on the power play.

The Canes gave up the first goal - and the second - and couldn't rally in the 3rd period for a 3-1 loss to Washington. The series is even at 1-1 heading to Raleigh for games 3 and 4. Shayne Gostisbehere scored Carolina's only goal, a power play marker, in the 3rd period. Frederik Andersen made 18 saves in the loss. 

Jaccob Slavin's 2nd goal of the playoffs, 3:06 into overtime, gave the Canes a 2-1 win and a 1-0 series lead over the Capitals in Washington. Logan Stankoven's 3rd of the playoffs tied the game at 1-1 midway through the 3rd period. Freddie Andersen stopped 13 shots for his 4th postseason win. Carolina will go for a third straight playoff road win on Thursday night in DC. 

Sebastian Aho's second power play goal of the night, 4:17 into the second overtime, punched the Canes' ticket to the second round and capped off a huge comeback in a 5-4 win over the New Jersey Devils. Jersey led 3-0 after the first 10 minutes as the Canes were playing in quicksand from the start. But, Carolina needed just 5:40 of the second period to draw even. Goals from Taylor Hall, Jackson Blake and Andrei Svechnikov made it a brand new game. The Canes would trail again, as Devils star Nico Hischier would score his 4th goal of the series, but Aho's first power play goal of the night leveled the game again. From there, Carolina did everything but score as they peppered New Jersey goaltender Jacob Markstrom over the final 44:17, out-shooting the Devils 34-12 with the last shot being Aho's second power play goal of the night. Aho led Carolina with 8 points in the series and now has 30 goals and 78 points in 79 career playoff games. Pyotr Kochetkov survived a disastrous opening frame as a starter for the first time in the playoffs. Carolina awaits the winner of the series between the Capitals and Canadiens. Notes: Aho is the first Hurricanes player to have 2 series-ending overtime game-winning goals. His goal eliminated the Nashville Predators in the opening round in 2021 before tonight. And, the Hurricanes are into the second round of the playoffs for the fifth straight year. The only team in the NHL that can say that. 

The Canes took Game 4 from the Devils, 5-2, as Andrei Svechnikov registered his second career playoff hat trick.  The win puts Carolina on the brink of the second round of the playoffs for the 5th consecutive season as they can close out New Jersey Tuesday night in Raleigh.  Freddie Andersen started for the 4th straight playoff game and was sailing along with a 3-1 lead until Timo Meier crashed into him in the crease early in the 2nd period.  Andersen was forced to leave the game as Pyotr Kochetkov came on for the first time in the series.  He quickly gave up a goal to Meier but shut the door the rest of the way. Svechnikov scored 52 seconds into the game, then knocked in a power play goal in the first minute of the 2nd period and campped the scoring with an empty net goal with just under 4 minutes to play.  Sebastian Aho and Jackson Blake each had 2 assists.  

The Canes scored a pair of 3rd period power play goals and went 5 for 5 on the penalty kill and still somehow lost in double overtime to the Devils, 3-2. Simon Nemec scored 2:36 into the second OT, splitting Shayne Gostisbehere and Jack Roslovic and carrying the puck deep into the Carolina zone before beating Frederik Andersen between the blocker side arm and the body. Carolina fell behind 2-0 early in the 3rd but Seth Jarvis and Sebastian Aho netted power play goals to bring the Hurricanes even. Now the head coach has a decision to make with his goaltender. Start Andersen with a quick turnaround thanks to a 3:30 pm start on Sunday, or give the net to Pyotr Kochetkov, who hasn't played since last Wednesday in Montreal? Andersen was excellent in the loss, stopping 34 shots, as New Jersey out-shot the Hurricanes 37-27. 

Frederik Andersen made 25 saves and Jordan Martinook scored a shorthanded goal leading the Canes to a 3-1 win over the Devils. Carolina takes a 2-0 series lead back to Newark for Game 3 on Friday night. The Devils went ahead in the first period through Jesper Bratt but the Hurricanes answered early in the second as Shayne Gostisbehere scored off a rebound of his own miss. Martinook would give the Canes the lead less than 3 minutes later as his first of the playoffs came shorthanded. Martinook now has 4 goals and 12 points in 7 playoff games against New Jersey - registering at least one point in each of the 7 games. Seth Jarvis scored into the empty net for the final margin. Through two games of the series, Carolina has one power play goal and one shorthanded. 

Logan Stankoven scored twice in the second period as the Hurricanes raced out to a 3-0 lead en route to a 4-1 win over the Devils.  Carolina takes Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series with Game 2 set for Tuesday in Raleigh. Carolina won the special teams battle, scoring once on the power play but also shutting the Devils down when New Jersey had the man advantage.  The Canes also saw strong performances up and down the lineup during a physical game.  Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis combined for 9 hits.  Andrei Svechnikov played a very heavy game and Eric Robinson and William Carrier combined for 13 hits in the game.  Jalen Chatfield opened the scoring less than 2 1/2 minutes into the game.  Stankoven scored about 6 1/2 minutes apart in the 2nd.  Svechnikov scored into an empty net late in the 3rd.  Frederik Andersen made 23 saves and was very steady throughout.  

The Canes final regular season game was a gong show of a 7-5 loss to the Senators. They always say that hockey is a game of runs (actually, no one says that.) The Sens scored the first three goals in the first period. Then the Canes scored twice before the period ended and three more times early in the second. In all, the five goals came in a 8:59 stretch spanning the 1st and 2nd periods. But Ottawa scored 4 times in a penalty-filled 3rd and the Canes have closed the season with 3 straight losses and a stretch that has seen them win just once in their last eight (1-6-1). In this episode we talk goaltending, the importance of Andrei Svechnikov and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, a sneaky resurgent Dimitri Orlov and I lay out what I believe will be the forward lines starting Easter Sunday. 

The Canes left seven of their best players in the press box and lost the penultimate game of the season, 4-2, to the Canadiens. The win clinched a playoff spot for Montreal as the Hurricanes have now won just once in their last 7 games (1-5-1). Carolina dressed four players called up from the minor leagues including Skyler Brind'Amour - the head coach's son (duh) - who made his NHL debut, as well as top prospect Bradly Nadeau. The leading rookie goal-scorer in the AHL with 30, who played in his first NHL game at the end of last season, helped set up a Tyson Jost goal and made it 3-2 late in the 3rd period and played an otherwise very good game. Defenseman Dominic Fensore also impressed in his NHL debut. Taylor Hall scored the Hurricanes first goal. In this episode, Nick Bass who runs the CanesProspect feeds on both X and BlueSky joined me to discuss the young guys and Jackson Blake. 

The Canes closed out their home schedule with a 4-1 loss to the Maple Leafs.  Carolina played a great first period, but trailed 1-0 after a Pontus Holmberg goal.  From there Toronto took the game over.  Only Sebastian Aho's 3rd period power play goal kept Joseph Woll from a shutout.  Inside, I discuss the disappoiintment of Andrei Svechnikov, Carolina's goaltending and the possible approach to the final two games of the season.

The Canes dominated the first 45 minutes against the Rangers, jumped out to a 5-1 lead and went on to win, 7-3.  The win snaps a 4-game losing streak and eliminated New York from playoff contention.  The top line of Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis and Jackson Blake combined for 7 points (2g, 5a), all coming as the Canes jumped out to a 3-0 lead.  Mark Jankowski's 8th goal with the Hurricanes made it 4-0.  Jordan Staal, Jordan Martinook and Logan Stankoven also scored and Pyotr Kochetkov made 28 saves for just his second win in his last 6 starts.  We talk about the game, the arrival of defensive prospect Alexander Nikishin and what the forward group could look like come playoff time.

Canes lost a see-saw game in Washington, 5-4, in a shootout. The Canes scored twice in the 1st period to lead 2-0. But, the Caps got a power play goal late in the opening period, then another early in the second to draw even. Then two goals in about 30 seconds late in the 2nd put the Capitals two goals ahead. Carolina, however, would fight back with Jordan Martinook making it 4-3 less than 5 minutes into the third. Then, Seth Jarvis made a great defensive play to prevent an empty net goal and finished a Sebastian Aho pass at the other end forcing overtime. Jackson Blake scored his 16th goal of the season and has 7 points (5g, 2a) in his last 7 games. 

Carolina couldn't figure out a way past former Hurricanes goalie James Reimer and were shut out 3-0. It was their 3rd straight loss - all on the road - and they've scored just 4 goals in the three games. Pyotr Kochetkov wasn't the problem, but he also wasn't the solution. He's lost 4 of his last 5 starts while allowing 21 goals on 110 shots for a save percentage of .809. We discuss the impact this could have on Carolina's postseason - whether or not Kochetkov plays in the playoffs. It also hasn't been a great stretch for Carolina's top defensive pairing of Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns and they were at least partially responsible for 2 of the 3 goals. 

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.  

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. 

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. 

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.