The Carolina Hurricanes extended their point streak to seven games Saturday night in Washington, but the way it ended left a sour taste. After building a commanding 3-0 lead early in the second period, the Canes watched it slip away as the Capitals stormed back with three unanswered goals in regulation before sealing the comeback in overtime.
It was a gut-punch of a loss - and head coach Rod Brind'Amour didn’t sugarcoat it. His group didn’t play to their standard, especially with the lead.
But stepping back, it capped off what was otherwise a strong month for Carolina. The Hurricanes finished January with a 9-3-3 record, rebounding impressively after opening the month with back-to-back regulation losses.
Much of that success came on the backs of their stars. Andrei Svechnikov was on fire, putting up 10 goals and 19 points over the month, while Sebastian Aho wasn’t far behind with 18 points of his own. That kind of production from your top-end talent is exactly what you want heading into the grind of the second half of the season.
Looking Ahead: Hurricanes vs. Kings
Next up, the Hurricanes host the Los Angeles Kings - a team they edged out in dramatic fashion back in October. That night in L.A., Carolina jumped out to a fast 3-0 lead, with Jordan Staal netting the 300th and 301st goals of his career in the opening minutes.
But that lead didn’t hold. The Kings clawed their way back with three straight goals to force overtime, before Seth Jarvis played the hero, ending it just 1:45 into the extra frame.
Fast forward to now, and the Kings are locked in a tight battle in the Pacific Division. Just one point separates third through sixth place, and Los Angeles currently holds the second Wild Card spot following a 3-2 overtime win over the Flyers on Saturday. That win, by the way, helped the Canes out a bit in the standings.
But if there’s one thing to know about these Kings, it’s that they’ve been living in overtime. Saturday marked their 22nd game this season that’s needed extra time - that’s 22 out of 53 games.
They’ve gone 5-7 in overtime and 4-6 in shootouts, with 13 total extra-time losses. Only Vegas has more.
The Kings’ Identity: Defense First
Offensively, L.A. hasn’t been lighting the lamp. Their goal-scoring ranks among the league’s bottom tier.
Adrian Kempe’s two-goal night against Philly brought him to 20 on the year, while Kevin Fiala is close behind with 18. But it’s their defense that’s kept them competitive.
Goaltending has been a strength, with Anton Forsberg - projected to start today - sitting 11th in the NHL in goals-against average (2.46). Darcy Kuemper isn’t far off at 2.55.
Kings to Watch
- Anze Kopitar: After missing 11 games, the longtime Kings captain returned to action Saturday. Assuming he’s good to go, this will be his final game in Raleigh, with retirement looming at season’s end.
His offensive numbers may be down, but his leadership and two-way game remain invaluable. Expect the Kings to lean on him heavily in what’s sure to be an emotional appearance.
- Kevin Fiala: Since joining L.A. in 2022, Fiala has made a habit of burning the Hurricanes. He’s tallied five goals and nine points in the last seven meetings, including a three-game goal streak against Carolina.
He scored twice in Raleigh last season and added another in L.A. earlier this year to tie that game late. He’s a player the Canes will need to keep a close eye on.
Hurricanes to Watch
- Taylor Hall: Saturday was a night to forget for Hall. He took three penalties - one of them questionable - and was involved in the chaotic sequence that led to the Capitals’ game-winner, losing a race to the net and colliding with Frederik Andersen in the process.
But Hall’s been around the block. He knows how to bounce back, and don’t be surprised if he makes a statement tonight.
- Mark Jankowski: Carolina’s fourth line was one of the few bright spots in D.C., and Jankowski set the tone by scoring the opening goal. He’s got five points in his last seven games, boosted by a three-point outing against Florida.
In the second half of a back-to-back for both teams, depth players like Jankowski could swing the momentum. This is where grinders earn their keep.
The Bottom Line
Carolina’s looking to shake off a frustrating collapse and start February on the right foot. The Kings, meanwhile, are trying to stay afloat in a jam-packed Pacific Division race.
Both teams are in the middle of back-to-backs, which means legs will be heavy and execution will matter. For the Canes, it’s about cleaning up the mistakes and leaning on the depth that’s carried them through a strong January.
For the Kings, it’s another chance to grind out points in a season that’s been defined by overtime.
Two playoff-hungry teams. One fresh matchup. Expect a tight, physical game - and don’t be surprised if it needs more than 60 minutes once again.