2023-24 Regular Season, Game 48: Hurricanes vs. Arizona Coyotes (Postgame)

The All-Star Break is fast approaching, but not before the Hurricanes battle the Arizona Coyotes at PNC Arena. The Canes are coming off back-to-back wins against the Bruins and Devils to come within two points of the Rangers in the division standings. Spencer Martin and Antti Raanta put in consecutive excellent starts to help guide the team defensively, while Teuvo Teravainen picked up multiple points in both wins. The Coyotes are starting to fall in the Wild Card race, but there is plenty of fight left in this young team arriving ahead of schedule.

Scoring Summary

1st Period

ARZ (14:21)- Logan Cooley (6) (assisted by Dylan Guenther (4) & JJ Moser (15))

2nd Period

CAR (7:57)- Martin Necas (13) PP (assisted by Seth Jarvis (22) & Brent Burns (19))

3rd Period

CAR (19:24)- Dmitry Orlov (3) (assisted by Jack Drury (14) & Jalen Chatfield (9))

CAR (19:37)- Jesper Fast (5) (assisted by Seth Jarvis (23))

My Thoughts

This game teetered a little too close to "Experience Canes Hockey" territory, but a win is a win, no matter when the game-winner comes. The Canes finished with a 39-11 advantage in shots, but the 3-1 final score might paint that picture. All of that credit belongs to Connor Ingram, who put the Coyotes on his back to keep them in this game. He nearly willed his team to at least a point, with a chance to absolutely steal two. As we all expected, Dmitry Orlov would play the hero of the night. His sharp-angle goal with 35.9 seconds left was exactly what the script called for. It was one of the most electric moments of the season, helping the Canes get into the break with a three-game winning streak. 

While the late-game heroics of Orlov will get all the headlines, all three defensive pairs were excellent tonight. Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns were unbeatable in their end. At one point in the third period, they made consecutive defensive plays, with Burns defending a 1-on-1 perfectly with his stick and Slavin leaving his feet to break up a chance. Burns also picked up an assist on Martin Necas' goal on the power play to tie the game. Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei were on the ice for the final goal, and Skjei nearly set Necas up for a goal in the first period. Orlov and Jalen Chatfield were on the ice for Arizona's goal in the first, though it was a tough bounce that beat Antti Raanta. They made up for it by scoring the game-winner, with Chatfield picking up an assist on Orlov's goal. 

It needs to be restated that the Arizona Coyotes finished with 0 shots in the third period. Initially, they were credited with one, but it was taken off the board after the game. That's not something that you see every day. They did it last season to the Lightning, so they've now done it in back-to-back seasons. It's a testament to Ingram's game that the Coyotes had a chance to win despite not recording a shot. Martin Necas, who scored the Canes' first goal, hit the post with about 6:30 left, nearly deciding the game then. Seth Jarvis, who had two assists, had a few great chances on the Canes' late-period power play. Fortunately, Orlov stepped in to save the day. 

My Three Stars of the Game

3rd Star- Seth Jarvis- 2 assists

The fact that Jarvis quietly had two assists has gotten lost in the shuffle because he played a great game. He had a game-high six shots, nearly finding some daylight late in the third period. He's going into the break with five assists in the last four games, needing two more points to tie his career high from his rookie season. It's a pity he's not going to the All-Star Game, though I'm sure he's excited to go to Mexico. 

2nd Star- Dmitry Orlov- 1 goal

It might've taken 48 games, but this was Orlov's big moment as a Carolina Hurricane. All of the times he's hit the iron on a golden opportunity paved the way for this goal to happen. It took pinpoint precision for him to find the back of the net in the final minute, placing the puck perfectly over Ingram's shoulder to extend the win streak. 

1st Star- Martin Necas- 1 goal

While his goal wasn't the flashiest, it might've been the most important. As it did on the winning goal, it took a perfect shot on a 4-on-3 to get the Canes on the board. He'd missed terribly on the attempt before it, too. Like Jarvis, Necas has been on fire over the last five games, scoring four times and adding an assist to get into the break on a roll

Up Next- With the All-Star Break next week, the Canes will be out of action until February 6, when they host the Vancouver Canucks. They will also have home games with the Avalanche and Devils that week, as their return to the ice keeps them at home.