The Carolina Hurricanes didn’t just beat the Florida Panthers on Friday night - they dismantled them. A 9-1 final score doesn’t just happen by accident, and the way Carolina poured it on late was a reminder of just how dangerous this team can be when everything clicks.
Four power-play goals, six in the third period alone, and a hat trick plus an assist from Nikolaj Ehlers? That’s a statement game.
Now, the challenge is keeping that momentum rolling as the Canes head to Newark for a Saturday night matchup with the New Jersey Devils. Scoring nine goals again isn’t realistic - even the best teams don’t light it up like that every night - but what Carolina can carry over is the pace, the puck movement, and the killer instinct they showed in the final frame against Florida. That third period was a clinic.
This is a team that’s been riding a bit of a rollercoaster lately. Just a few nights ago in St.
Louis, the offense looked stuck in neutral. Then they come home and explode for a season-high in goals.
The difference? Execution and special teams.
The power play was humming, and they capitalized on nearly every mistake the Panthers made. If not for a few early stops by Sergei Bobrovsky, the score could’ve been even more lopsided.
But there’s no time to bask in the glow of that win. The Devils are next, and while they’ve had their struggles, this is still a team with enough firepower to make things interesting - especially on home ice.
Looking Back: Last Time in Newark
The last time these two teams met, it was a rough night for Devils defenseman Luke Hughes. Less than a minute into the game, he accidentally put the puck into his own net.
Later, under pressure from Taylor Hall, Hughes turned it over again - this time resulting in another Carolina goal. Hall finished the night with a goal and an assist, and the Hurricanes skated away with a 3-1 win.
That loss kicked off a four-game skid for the Devils, including a 9-0 blowout at the hands of the Islanders - a game that will likely go down as one of the low points of the season for New Jersey, particularly for goaltender Jacob Markstrom. Since then, the Devils have shown signs of life with wins over Minnesota and Seattle, but consistency remains elusive.
Dougie Hamilton in the Spotlight
There’s also been some drama off the ice. The Devils made headlines last weekend when they scratched Dougie Hamilton, and his agent later confirmed the team is exploring trade options.
Carolina - Hamilton’s former team - has been floated as a potential landing spot. Since returning to the lineup, Hamilton has tallied three points in two games, but the situation remains fluid.
Whether or not he stays in New Jersey long-term, his presence on the ice still matters - especially against a team that knows him well.
Injury Watch and Offensive Concerns
The Devils took another hit when Stefan Noesen opted for knee surgery, effectively ending his regular season. That’s a blow to their depth, especially with secondary scoring already an issue.
While they still have top-end talent in Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Jack Hughes, Carolina showed in the last meeting that they’re capable of neutralizing that trio. That’ll be the focus again tonight - take away the Devils’ best weapons and force the rest of the lineup to beat you.
Devils Players to Watch
- Luke Hughes: After his forgettable night against Carolina earlier this month, Hughes has bounced back with five points in his last four games, including two multi-point efforts. He’s looked more confident and assertive with the puck, but the Canes will be looking to pressure him early and test his decision-making.
- Arseny Gritsyuk: One of the few bright spots for New Jersey in the last matchup, Gritsyuk had an assist against Carolina but has only recorded two points since mid-December. With the Devils struggling to generate offense beyond their top line, they need more from him - and fast.
Hurricanes Players to Watch
- Nikolaj Ehlers: What a night he had on Friday. Ehlers was everywhere - scoring in transition, setting up teammates, and finishing off a hat trick in style.
He’s been a spark plug on whichever line he’s slotted into, and last night it was the Staal line that benefited. If he’s heating up, that adds another layer of danger to an already potent offense.
- Eric Robinson: Sometimes the ninth goal in a blowout doesn’t mean much, but for Robinson, it broke a ten-game scoring drought and gave him his tenth of the season. That makes nine Hurricanes with double-digit goals - a testament to the team’s depth. The fourth line has been quietly effective lately, and if Robinson and company keep chipping in, Carolina becomes that much harder to match up with.
Final Thoughts
The Hurricanes are coming off one of their best performances of the season. The Devils, meanwhile, are still trying to find their footing after a rocky stretch.
But this is the NHL - momentum can shift quickly, and no team can afford to take a night off. If Carolina brings the same energy and execution they showed in the third period against Florida, they’ll be in a good spot.
But if they let up, even for a shift, New Jersey has the talent to make them pay.
Saturday night in Newark is another test - not of talent, but of focus. Let’s see if the Canes can pass it.