Continuing a stretch of inconsistent play, Carolina was beaten at its own game in Columbus. Under head coach Rod Brind’Amour, the Canes aim to dominate possession and pressure the other team with a ruthless forecheck.
Against the surging Blue Jackets (35-21-11), Carolina (42-19-6) found itself on the other end of that gameplan. The Hurricanes struggled to get going offensively and fell in ugly fashion in a 5-1 rout.
It was clear from the start that Columbus had the upper hand. The Blue Jackets put up 11 shots on goal — compared to the six from Carolina — leading it to score two power play goals in the first period.
Left wing Mason Marchment used the man advantage to breeze the puck past the cluster of white surrounding the net and got the puck past goaltender Brandon Bussi. Centers Adam Fantilli and Charlie Coyle assisted in the game-opening goal five minutes into the game.
Coyle, with help from Fantilli and defensemen Zach Werenski, brought the score to 2-0. Scoring from the same angle as the first goal, the Blue Jackets surrounded the remaining Canes players on the ice to one side of the net to quickly rearrange themselves behind them to snap the puck past Bussi, closing up the first period.
Right wing Andrei Svechnikov put Carolina on the board 14 minutes into the second period when left wing Nikolaj Ehlers and defensemen Alexander Nikishin rushed down the ice to Columbus’ net in a flurry of white. Passing the puck, Svechnikov got close and personal with Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves, intimidating him and putting the puck past him, putting the Canes back in striking distance.
But much to the demise of Carolina, Columbus responded with two more goals to wrap up the second period. Scored in minute 17 by left wing Danton Heinen, he took advantage of a jumble of men around Bussi’s net and got the loose puck to bring the score to 3-1.
A minute later, defenseman Denton Mateychuk scored off an assist from center Sean Monahan. He maneuvered the puck closer to center ice and rocketed it past the Carolina defenders. With a three-goal deficit after 40 minutes, hopes were all but gone for the Canes.
The cherry on top came from right wing Mathieu Olivier, scoring the fifth and final goal for the Blue Jackets seven minutes into the final period, drawing the Canes to one side of the ice before quickly flipping position and forcing the defense out of position.
The Canes will try to rebound on Wednesday, March 18 as it hosts the Pittsburgh Penguins. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
