The Carolina Hurricanes showcased resilience and skill in a thrilling matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins, ultimately securing a shootout victory. Despite letting a multi-goal lead slip away, the Canes held their nerve in overtime, with winger Jackson Blake stepping up in the shootout to clinch the extra point.
The Canes, boasting a 41-17-6 record, controlled the pace in the opening and closing periods against the Penguins (32-17-15). However, they stumbled in the second period, spending significant time shorthanded due to four penalties. The game was a physical battle, reminiscent of playoff hockey, with both teams combining for 12 penalties.
“It’s a playoff-style matchup out there,” noted winger Mark Jankowski. “Two good teams going at it, so you can’t be afraid to be physical and get in there.”
As the Penguins pushed the game into overtime, Carolina faced a challenge when key penalty killer Jaccob Slavin was penalized for slashing. The Canes' special teams rose to the occasion, keeping the game alive for the shootout. After an initial miss and a goal, Blake confidently skated in and beat goaltender Stuart Skinner to secure the win.
“Right when I got the puck … I just looked around everywhere,” Blake explained. “It’s only what, a couple seconds [after] you get [on the ice], so you have to think of it quick. I tried to sneak one in five-hole, and luckily it went in.”
Heading into the third period, the Penguins held a 2-1 lead, but the Canes quickly turned the tide. Three different Hurricanes found the net, supported by five assists, building a 4-2 advantage before Pittsburgh's late surge. Jankowski leveled the score early in the period, followed by Jarvis capitalizing on a breakaway just 59 seconds later.
A 5-on-3 power play and swift puck movement set up defenseman Alexander Nikishin for the Canes' final regulation goal. His ninth of the season, assisted by Sebastian Aho, set a new franchise record for rookie defensemen.
“Offensively, he’s always had that confidence,” head coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “We know he’s got a big shot.
Even tonight, after he got the one, he was kind of hesitant. He needs to just keep shooting that thing, so we’ll keep on that with him, but his game is growing.
There’s no doubt about it…He’s going to be a good player here for a long time.”
The Penguins kept the pressure on until the end. With just over two minutes remaining, Noel Acciari won a crucial face-off and scored to narrow the gap.
Bryan Rust then found the net with 36 seconds left, forcing overtime. Despite their efforts, the Penguins couldn't claim the second point.
The Hurricanes are set to face the St. Louis Blues next, with the puck dropping at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, at the Lenovo Center.