Pyotr Kochetkov’s shot at history ended in Nashville on Tuesday night, and the Carolina Hurricanes’ four-game winning streak went with it.
The Predators handled the defending champs 4-1 at Bridgestone Arena, handing Kochetkov his first loss of the season and snapping his bid for an 11th straight win to open the year. Nashville got the jump early, rode Juuse Saros through a sharp night in net, and never really let the Canes settle in for long.
Carolina kept the same lineup again, sticking with the group that had won four in a row. That meant Kochetkov was back in goal with a chance to match the record for the longest winning streak to start a season. Saros was waiting on the other side, and from the opening minutes it had the feel of one of those games where he can take over.
He looked exactly like that in the first period. Nashville finally broke through a little past the halfway mark when Filip Forsberg found Nick Perbix, and the defenseman buried it past Kochetkov for a 1-0 lead after one.
Forsberg kept dealing in the second. Early in the period, he delivered another high-end pass, this time setting up Roman Josi to stretch the lead to 2-0. Carolina answered through Jackson Blake, who missed on his first try before lifting a backhand over Saros’ shoulder midway through the frame to make it 2-1 heading into the third.
That was as close as the Hurricanes got.
The third period started badly and only got worse. Carolina had trouble clearing its zone, especially on a rough sequence for the Stankoven line, and the Predators kept the pressure on.
Early in the period, Adam Edstrom redirected Josi’s shot past Kochetkov to restore Nashville’s two-goal cushion. Ross Colton later added an empty-netter to finish it off.
The Hurricanes never found enough offense to chase the game down. The puck was bouncing around all night, according to Nikolaj Ehlers in his intermission interview, and Nashville’s pressure made life difficult for Carolina from start to finish.
Even with the loss, Kochetkov was hardly the problem. He made enough big stops to keep the Hurricanes within reach, and the goals against came on plays that were tough to defend.
The first two were set up by Forsberg’s passing, and the third came on a redirection from between the dots. His run ends with a second-place tie for the longest winning streak in NHL history to begin a season.
There was at least one sign the Hurricanes may be ready to tinker up front. Seth Jarvis, who was held off the scoresheet for only the second time since his return, was moved next to Sebastian Aho midway through the third period, with Andrei Svechnikov coming out of that spot. William Carrier could be the piece that sends Svechnikov, Aho and Jarvis back together, while Taylor Hall also sounds close and could be an option Thursday against the Islanders.
For now, though, the night belonged to Nashville. The Predators got the better of a Hurricanes team that never quite found its footing, and Kochetkov’s perfect start is over.
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Hurricanes Bring A Lot More Than Momentum Into Nashville
The Hurricanes are heading into Nashville with the kind of stability every coach likes on a road trip. Carolina is expected to keep its current lineup intact as it opens a two-game swing against the Predators, a sign that the group has earned a little trust after settling into a rhythm. It also gives the roster a familiar look as the team tries to carry its recent form into another building.
Pyotr Kochetkov remains a central part of the story in net, while Logan Stankoven is set to reach a notable milestone in his young NHL career. Mark Jankowski adds a different layer to the night, returning to Nashville after finding his scoring touch of late. For Carolina, this trip is about more than just points in the standings, since the Hurricanes are bringing both momentum and a few personal storylines that should make the opener worth watching. [Read more 🡒]
Pyotr Kochetkov Is Giving The Hurricanes Real Hope In Goal
Pyotr Kochetkov has given Carolina something it has been searching for in goal, and the early returns have been hard to ignore. He has been steady enough to help the Hurricanes stack wins, and the organization has taken notice of the way he has settled into the crease, with defenseman Sean Walker among those pointing to the skill and impact he has brought to the team.
The bigger picture is what makes this stretch matter: Kochetkov is not just winning games, he has become a genuine source of confidence for a club that knows how important stability in net can be when the schedule tightens and the stakes rise. For now, the Hurricanes can lean on the idea that their goaltending is giving them a real edge, even if the full test of how far this run can carry them is still ahead. [Read more 🡒]