2023-24 Regular Season, Game 49: Hurricanes vs. Vancouver Canucks (Postgame)

With the All-Star Break behind us, the Hurricanes and Canucks took to the ice for the first time in over a week to begin the second half of the season. The Canes come into the game riding a three-game win streak after a last-minute victory over the Coyotes before the break. The Canucks have been one of the hottest teams in the league, currently sitting atop the Western Conference with 71 points. Every sign seemed to indicate that this would be a thrilling contest.

Scoring Summary

1st Period

(CAR) 4:25- Jordan Martinook (8) SH (assisted by Teuvo Teravainen (14))

(VAN) 17:23- Elias Lindholm (10) PP (assisted by Quinn Hughes (51) & Elias Pettersson (38))

2nd Period

(VAN) 16:30- Elias Lindholm (11) PP (assisted by Quinn Hughes (52) & Brock Boeser (23))

(CAR) 18:32- Sebastian Aho (18) PP (assisted by Brent Burns (20) & Seth Jarvis (24))

3rd Period

(VAN) 4:00- JT Miller (22) (assisted by Brock Boeser (24) & Tyler Myers (16))

My Thoughts

Whoever thought it was a good idea to play the Canucks in the first game after the break deserves to be fired. Their decision to be aggressive and acquire Elias Lindholm over a month before the trade deadline is looking brilliant at the moment. It has only been one game, but you can't argue with results like these. His presence in front of Pyotr Kochetkov and his active stick on shots from Quinn Hughes are why the Canucks won this game. While neither goal was the game-winner, his goals were as big a part of this game as JT Miller's eventual winner. That Miller goal gave vaguely similar shades of Elias Pettersson's game-winner when they played in December before the Canes turned their season around. Pyotr Kochetkov had one bad moment in this game. Tonight, it cost the team at least one point.

I can't even get mad at the penalty kill for their performance tonight. They allowed two goals but started from out front when Jordan Martinook scored short-handed in the first period. Both goals they allowed were unreal tips, especially the first one that was going 3-4 feet wide of the net. The power play didn't get many chances to operate, though they scored when it mattered most. Sebastian Aho's goal late in the second period was a key moment in the game. The way Thatcher Demko played in the third period squashed any chances of coming back, though it was nice to know the Canes had a chance as they entered the third period tied. 

While he didn't score a goal, this game was an incredibly positive sign for Jesperi Kotkaniemi. I thought this was his best game in a while. He was inches away from tying the game in the third period as Martin Necas found him alone at the front of the net. His line had a long shift in the offensive zone midway through the period that nearly broke the Canucks' defense. I think this loss boils down to a slow start, sloppy play with the puck early, and one bad bounce in the third period. I didn't hate the Canes' game tonight. That being said, I think the better team won.

I always start any statement about officiating by saying that it wasn't the reason the Canes lost, and I don't expect them to be perfect. However, I think it was clear the officials were coming back from a break, too. I didn't love the way this game was officiated at all. I'm not necessarily saying the Canes' penalties weren't penalties, either. What I am saying is that Vancouver committed more than two penalties tonight. Several times during the third period, it looked like the Canes should've earned a power play, but the whistles stayed in their pockets. There was also a moment in the second period when a long offensive-zone possession came to an end after a hand pass, which had the Michael Bunting and the Canes' bench all out of sorts. I expected to see some rust from everyone involved in the game. Still, I'd have liked a little more consistency from the stripes tonight. 

My Three Stars of the Game

3rd Star- Martin Necas- 4 shots

Since returning from his injury before the break, the Necas from last season has started to show back up. There was one moment in the third period when he did two spin moves in rapid succession that had me grinning from ear to ear. He didn't find the scoresheet tonight, but he came very close to setting up the tying goal in the third period and led the team with four shots. 

2nd Star- Jesperi Kotkaniemi- 3 shots

Another player who didn't get on the scoresheet tonight; this was an encouraging game to see from Kotkaniemi. There have been times recently when his ice time has been cut in the third period, but he was out there with the game on the line in this one. His chance in the third period was the closest the Canes came to tying the game. It has been a rough season for Kotkaniemi, but he feels close to breaking through.

1st Star- Sebastian Aho- 1 goal

In a game where Vancouver's stars were starting to take over, Aho's goal on the power play late in the second period was huge. He was another guy who started slowly in this one but came to life as the game went on. His shot was so good that it beat Demko cleanly with little traffic. While it was only one goal, it was big at the moment to give the Caniacs something to cheer about.

Up Next- The Colorado Avalanche will be the next team to challenge the Hurricanes, coming to town for a battle on Thursday night. The Avalanche have stumbled coming out of the break, falling to the Rangers and Devils on consecutive nights. Speaking of the Devils, they'll be back in Raleigh on Saturday for the second time in a little over two weeks. This time, they're likely to have Jack Hughes on the ice with them.