Entering with a three-game losing streak, the Carolina Hurricanes broke through against the New Jersey Devils with a win at the Prudential Center in Newark.
Though its overall statistics in the season thus far haven’t been up to par, Carolina’s (25-14-3) recent performance against the Devils (22-18-2) was strong. In their previous game against the Colorado Avalanche at the Lenovo Center, the Canes entered the third period up by two, but the Avalanche skated away victorious with the scoreboard reading 5-3. Now, in its game away from home, Carolina searched for redemption.
Just under a minute into the first period, Devils defenseman Luke Hughes scored against his own goaltender, as Jake Allen thought the goal was credited to Carolina’s left wing Nikolaj Ehlers unassisted.
To even the score nearly seven minutes after, Devils’ center Dawson Mercer shot the puck down the middle after passes from defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler and right wing Arseny Gritsyuk. Mercer put the puck past Carolina goaltender Brandon Bussi, who, as of late, has been difficult to beat.
Halfway through the second period, the scoreboard finally changed with a goal from Carolina’s left wing, Taylor Hall, also unassisted, for the second of the night. That remained the only goal scored in the second period.
The third period also ended with only one goal being scored. Hall pick-pocketed the puck from the Devils’ goaltender to send it towards the middle of the ice to center Logan Stankoven, who shot it into the back of the net.
As time wound down, wanting to try and level the score, the Devils took out their goaltender and had six skaters on the ice. Neither team could score, and when the final horn blew, the scoreboard read 3-1 to break the losing streak for Carolina.
Head coach Rod Brind’Amour’s team has had a complicated relationship with special teams this season. Two minutes into the second period, former Hurricane Dougie Hamilton received a two-minute penalty for interference. In those two minutes, Carolina didn’t score. But in the period’s remaining 18 minutes, Carolina committed three penalties against the Devils, giving them three power plays. On the penalty kill, Carolina held strong.
The third period mirrored the second — one power play for the Devils and two for the Canes with no goals scored from either side. As the season progresses, Carolina grows more notorious for underperforming during those two minutes that can be used to its advantage.
Up next, Carolina will face off against the Dallas Stars at the Lenovo Center on Jan. 6. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
