Hurricanes Erupt in Third, Blow Past Panthers 9-1 in Statement Win
For the Carolina Hurricanes, the third time really was the charm.
After watching two previous multi-goal leads against the Panthers vanish in the final period this season, Carolina flipped the script Friday night in Raleigh. And they didn’t just hold on - they hit the gas and never looked back.
The Hurricanes unleashed a six-goal barrage in the third period, taking full advantage of Florida’s penalty troubles and turning what had been a manageable 3-1 deficit into a 9-1 rout at Lenovo Center.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t a slow burn. This was a full-on explosion.
Special Teams Take Over
If there was one theme to this game, it was Carolina’s dominance on the power play. The Canes went 4-for-5 with the man advantage, including a stretch of four straight power-play goals that completely buried Florida’s hopes of a comeback.
Nikolaj Ehlers led the charge with a hat trick, including one on the power play, and was the engine of a Hurricanes offense that clicked on every level. His third goal - a laser over Sergei Bobrovsky’s glove - brought the hats flying and put an exclamation point on a night where Carolina looked every bit the contender they’re expected to be.
Taylor Hall chipped in with a pair of goals, Andrei Svechnikov scored just as a 5-on-3 expired, and Alexander Nikishin blasted one from the point to get the second-period scoring spree started. It was a team-wide effort, but the power play was the spark that lit the fuse.
Bobrovsky Kept It Close - Until He Couldn't
Despite the lopsided final score, this one could’ve gotten out of hand a lot earlier if not for Sergei Bobrovsky. The Panthers’ netminder made 20 saves through the first two periods and kept his team within striking distance. Heading into the third down just 3-1, Florida still had a shot.
But the third period was a different story. With the Panthers parading to the penalty box, Bobrovsky was left to fend off a relentless Carolina attack with little help. And once the floodgates opened, there was no stopping the Hurricanes.
A Bright Spot for Florida
Not much went right for the Panthers in this one, but there was a silver lining: Uvis Balinskis, fresh off signing a new deal, netted Florida’s lone goal early in the second period. The goal came off a loose puck from Mackie Samoskevich and briefly tied the game 1-1.
Even better for the Panthers’ long-term outlook, rookie Sandis Vilmanis picked up his first NHL point with the secondary assist on the play - a small milestone in an otherwise forgettable night.
A Night of Firsts - and Frustrations
Things got so out of hand in the third that defenseman Aaron Ekblad was forced to take a faceoff during a 5-on-3 penalty kill - the first of his NHL career. That moment pretty much summed up the chaos for Florida, who were chasing the game and the puck all night in the final frame.
By the time Eric Robinson scored Carolina’s ninth goal with under two minutes left, the game had long since been decided. But every goal felt like a message: the Hurricanes weren’t just trying to win - they were making a statement.
Scoring Summary
- 1st Period CAR 1-0: Nikolaj Ehlers found space in the slot and buried a slick feed from Jordan Staal at 18:35.
- 2nd Period 1-1: Uvis Balinskis tied it early in the second with a sharp finish off a broken play. CAR 2-1: Mark Jankowski cleaned up a rebound in front at 13:10. CAR 3-1 (PP): Alexander Nikishin blasted one home from the point at 16:28.
- 3rd Period CAR 4-1 (PP): Andrei Svechnikov scored from the left circle just as a 5-on-3 expired at 4:08. CAR 5-1 (5-on-3 PP): Ehlers cashed in on a cross-ice feed at 11:17. CAR 6-1 (PP): Taylor Hall added another power-play tally just 21 seconds later. CAR 7-1: Ehlers completed his hat trick with a snipe at 13:03. CAR 8-1: Hall struck again at 18:23. CAR 9-1: Eric Robinson capped the night just 12 seconds later.
Three Stars of the Game
- Nikolaj Ehlers - Hat trick, power-play presence, and the heartbeat of the Hurricanes’ offensive onslaught.
- Alexander Nikishin - A goal and a steady presence on the blue line, especially with the man advantage.
- Mark Jankowski - Opened the scoring floodgates in the second with a gritty rebound goal.
Up Next
No time to dwell for the Panthers. Friday’s game was the first of a three-in-four stretch, and they’ll be back on the ice Saturday night in Washington to face the Capitals. After that, they return home Monday to host the San Jose Sharks.
For Florida, the focus now shifts to regrouping quickly. For Carolina, this was more than just a win - it was a reminder of what they’re capable of when everything clicks.