Hurricanes Survive Another Late Surge, Beat Kings in OT Behind Aho’s Winner
The Carolina Hurricanes got back in the win column Sunday afternoon, but not without a few familiar heart palpitations. In the second leg of a back-to-back, they took down the Los Angeles Kings, 3-2 in overtime, at the Lenovo Center-a game that had all the makings of a bounce-back win before nearly unraveling late. Again.
After letting a 3-0 lead slip away the night before against Washington, the Hurricanes looked determined to avoid a repeat. They started strong, controlled most of the game, and had the Kings on their heels for long stretches.
But once again, a two-goal lead vanished in a blink. This time, though, Sebastian Aho made sure it didn’t cost them.
Let’s break it down.
A Strong Start, a Familiar Pattern
Carolina wasted no time getting on the board. Early in the first, the Canes capitalized on their first power play in just four seconds.
Andrei Svechnikov and Shayne Gostisbehere continued their recent tear, setting up Jordan Staal for a slick redirection in front. That goal gave Carolina a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes-deserved, but not dominant.
The second period saw the Canes tilt the ice in their favor, drawing a pair of early power plays. But the execution wasn’t there.
Despite controlling possession and pace, Carolina couldn’t convert, and the Kings couldn’t find a spark either. For a long stretch, neither team registered a shot on goal.
Still, the Canes were clearly dictating the game.
Seth Jarvis had a golden opportunity on a 2-on-0 and passed it up, and Drew Doughty made a jaw-dropping skate save to keep the Kings within one. Carolina could’ve-and probably should’ve-been up by two or three. But it remained 1-0 heading into the third.
Late Drama, Again
The Canes finally got the insurance goal they were looking for late in the third. After a relentless shift from the Stankoven line, Alexander Nikishin jumped on a loose puck and fired it off the post and in to make it 2-0. It was a well-earned moment for the rookie defenseman, who’s now just one goal shy of tying the franchise rookie record for goals by a blueliner.
But if you’ve been watching this team lately, you know what came next.
Just 24 seconds later, the shutout was gone. Samuel Helenius cashed in to cut the lead in half, and less than two minutes after that, Quinton Byfield buried a gorgeous feed from Adrian Kempe to tie the game. It was another gut punch for a team that’s seen far too many of them lately.
To the Canes’ credit, they didn’t fold.
Aho Ends It in Overtime
From the opening face-off in overtime, Carolina took control. Jordan Staal won the draw, and the Hurricanes never gave the puck back.
The puck moved crisply, the possession was patient, and eventually, it found Sebastian Aho between the dots. His shot beat Anton Forsberg cleanly, sealing the 3-2 win and sparing Carolina another painful postgame.
For Aho, it was a fitting finish. After going 12 games without a goal, he’s now scored in back-to-back contests. And on a day when the Hurricanes needed their stars to show up, Aho delivered when it mattered most.
Big Names, Big Moments
Look at the scoresheet, and the story tells itself. The Canes’ top contributors came to play.
- Jordan Staal opened the scoring and matched his goal total from last season.
- Shayne Gostisbehere had another multi-point game and was a force all afternoon.
He even rang a shot off the crossbar that nearly gave him a goal of his own.
- Andrei Svechnikov extended his point streak with another primary assist.
- Seth Jarvis, celebrating his birthday, picked up a helper on the game-winner.
Jarvis also had several chances to score but passed up a few golden looks-particularly on that 2-on-0. It was a case of being a little too unselfish. Still, his playmaking and energy were evident all game.
Unsung Heroes and Notable Moments
While the Stankoven line didn’t light up the stat sheet, their effort on Nikishin’s goal was critical. Jackson Blake, in particular, was relentless on that shift, creating chaos in front of the net that helped set up the score-even if he won’t get an assist for it.
And then there’s Brandon Bussi.
His stat line-11 saves on 13 shots-won’t turn heads, but don’t let the numbers fool you. Bussi made several key stops from high-danger areas and stayed composed in his 25th start of the season. With 21 wins now under his belt, he continues to prove he can step in and deliver when called upon.
A Classy Sendoff for a Kings Legend
After the final horn, the Hurricanes made sure to recognize a legend. Anze Kopitar, in what was likely his final regular-season appearance in Raleigh, received a handshake line from the Carolina bench. Jordan Staal led the way, showing the kind of respect and leadership that’s defined his career.
It was a classy gesture for a player who’s done things the right way for nearly two decades.
What’s Next
The Hurricanes aren’t done yet before the Olympic break. They’ll host the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday-a rematch from just 10 days ago, when Carolina won in Ottawa. Then it’s off to New York for a showdown with the Rangers before the league hits pause.
When they return, it’s back-to-back home games against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings. With the playoff race heating up, every point matters-and if the Canes can find a way to hold leads more consistently, they’ll be a tough out for anyone.
But for now, they’ll take the win-and maybe exhale just a bit.