Hurricanes Make a Statement in 9-1 Rout Over Panthers
The Carolina Hurricanes didn’t just get a win on Friday night-they sent a message. After two tough losses to the Florida Panthers earlier in the season, including a pair of blown leads back in December, the Canes flipped the script in emphatic fashion.
A 9-1 beatdown in Raleigh wasn’t just about revenge-it was about dominance in every phase of the game. From special teams to scoring depth to rock-solid goaltending, Carolina looked every bit like a team that’s gearing up for a deep playoff run.
Here’s what stood out in a night that could prove to be a turning point in the Hurricanes’ season.
1. Power Play Ignites-and Then Some
The Hurricanes' power play didn’t just show up-it exploded. Carolina went 4-for-5 with the man advantage, including a stretch where they scored four straight power-play goals to blow the game wide open. Two of those goals came just 21 seconds apart, highlighting the kind of crisp puck movement and confidence that’s been building over the last few weeks.
To put it in perspective: not long ago, this power play was dead last in the NHL, hovering around a 7.6% success rate. Now?
After Friday’s outburst, they’ve jumped to 13th overall at 21.6%, converting 32 of 148 opportunities this season. That’s a massive turnaround and a testament to the adjustments made by the coaching staff and the execution by the players.
Special teams can make or break you in the postseason, and right now, Carolina’s power play is trending in the right direction at the perfect time.
2. Full-Team Offense: All 12 Forwards Hit the Scoresheet
This stat is almost hard to believe: all 12 Hurricanes forwards recorded at least one point in the win. That’s not just depth-that’s organizational execution at its finest.
Eight of those 12 had multi-point nights, with Nikolaj Ehlers leading the charge in a breakout performance. Ehlers notched four points, including his first hat trick as a Hurricane.
He opened the scoring, added a secondary assist on the first power-play goal, and then tacked on goals to make it 5-1 and 7-1. That’s the kind of night that can supercharge a player’s confidence-and his line’s chemistry.
Mark Jankowski also had himself a night, tallying a goal and two assists. Six other players finished with two points apiece, showcasing just how balanced and dangerous this Hurricanes lineup can be when it’s clicking.
And even though he’s not a forward, Alexander Nikishin deserves a shoutout. The defenseman chipped in with a goal and an assist, continuing to show why he’s such a valuable presence on both ends of the ice.
In total, 14 of the 18 skaters registered a point. Even more impressively, every single player on the ice finished as an even or plus in the plus-minus column. That’s a full-team effort-and the kind of stat line coaches dream about.
3. Bussi Keeps Rolling in Net
It’s easy to overlook goaltending in a 9-1 game, but Brandon Bussi’s performance shouldn’t be lost in the offensive fireworks.
The 25-year-old netminder stopped 15 of 16 shots to earn his 17th win of the season, improving to 17-3-1 in his first 21 career starts. His .938 save percentage on the night doesn’t tell the whole story-Bussi made several key saves when the game was still within reach, especially during a stretch in the second period when the Panthers were pushing to tie it at 1-1.
And let’s not forget the penalty kill. Florida had five power-play chances.
Carolina killed all five, thanks in large part to Bussi’s positioning and poise. That’s not just a penalty kill-that’s a power kill.
With Pyotr Kochetkov out for potentially the rest of the season, Bussi has stepped into the 1A role and hasn’t blinked. He’s now sporting a 2.25 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage on the year-numbers that are more than holding up under the pressure.
He’s also now eligible for a contract extension, and with the way he’s playing, he’s making a strong case to be part of the Hurricanes’ long-term plans.
A Win That Resonates Beyond the Scoreboard
This wasn’t just a regular-season win-it was a statement. The Hurricanes went 1-1-1 against the Panthers this season, but this final meeting leaves a lasting impression.
Florida, the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, have been a playoff roadblock for Carolina in recent years. Friday’s rout doesn’t erase that history, but it does shift the narrative.
It was the Hurricanes’ 29th win of the season, and it came in the kind of fashion that energizes a locker room and gives a fanbase reason to believe. If this team can sustain the kind of balance, execution, and swagger they showed on Friday night, they’ll be a problem for anyone come spring.
For now, though, the Hurricanes can enjoy a win that didn’t just settle a score-it reminded the league exactly what this team is capable of.