2023-24 Regular Season, Game 54: Hurricanes at Vegas Golden Knights (Postgame)

In the final stop of their three-game road trip, the Carolina Hurricanes looked to end the trip on a high note after splitting their first two games. Coming off a 5-1 win in the desert last night, the Canes tried to replicate their dominant performance from December when the Vegas Golden Knights visited Raleigh, a 6-3 win for Carolina. Without Jack Eichel and a few other key players in the lineup, Vegas looked for a little bit of revenge while trying to keep their hot streak going.

Scoring Summary

1st Period

VGK (10:15)- Jonathan Marchessault (28) (assisted by Nicolas Roy (20) & Ivan Barbashev (19))

2nd Period

CAR (1:21)- Andrei Svechnikov (12) (assisted by Seth Jarvis (26) & Brett Pesce (5))

3rd Period

CAR (0:19)- Seth Jarvis (18) SH (assisted by Jordan Staal (13) & Brady Skjei (23))

CAR (6:19)- Stefan Noesen (12) (assisted by Jesperi Kotkaniemi (10) & Martin Necas (22))

My Thoughts

Had the Carolina Hurricanes lost tonight because the referees made a terrible call at the end of the second period, I would've blown a tiny gasket. How, as a referee in the National Hockey League, do you miss a goalie taking out a player's leg and still call a high stick on the player? They're incredibly lucky that Seth Jarvis scored short-handed 19 seconds into the third period. Otherwise, I would've...probably gotten over it by the time I woke up in the morning. Regardless, it was a very bad call that ended up helping the Canes win the game. 

Officiating was one of my biggest takeaways from this game because tonight's crew was really bad. Jonathan Marchessault got away with a hold that led to the turnover that he scored on in the first period. There were several other missed calls on both sides the rest of the night. The Canes didn't have a power play tonight, which makes Jarvis' short-handed goal even more important. Vegas didn't play that clean of a game. I know the Canes won, but I don't like saying that they won in spite of the officiating. This is a recurring theme, too. The Canes have been short-handed 20 times since the All-Star Break, while their power play has operated just 12 times. Fortunately, both units have been good when they are deployed, making the disparity meaningless. 

As for the action on the ice, the Canes looked like they were a step behind the entire first period. Vegas assaulted the Canes' net, only to be met by the brick wall known as Spencer Martin. He allowed the one goal, but it came on a third chance during the sequence. After that, he was perfect. For a goalie claimed off waivers, he has stepped between the pipes twice for the Hurricanes against the then-conference leaders and the defending champions, both on the road. He has stopped 55 of 58 shots in two wins. It's unreal what he has been able to do. Paired with Pyotr Kochetkov's start last night, it's hard not to be amazed at the state of goaltending for the Hurricanes. 

While it wasn't their sharpest game ever, the team in front of Martin looked pretty good in the second and third periods. Andrei Svechnikov got them on the board early in the second. Jarvis got the go-ahead goal in the third. Stefan Noesen added the insurance marker with some help from Jesperi Kotkaniemi. They were much better defensively, too. They paid the price a few times, especially Jalen Chatfield, who was sent flying by Ivan Barbashev in the third period. Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei were so much better, both picking up assists tonight. Vegas has been banged up during both meetings, but this was as clinical an ending to a win as we've seen this season. It ended the road trip the right way as they helped put some space between them and the Flyers in the standings. 

My Three Stars of the Game

3rd Star- Andrei Svechnikov- 1 goal

He hadn't done much in his three games since returning from his most recent injury, but Svechnikov's goal tonight was an important turning point in the win. After a terrible first period, he started the second period the right way. Not to mention, it was a wicked backhander that beat Hill. Not many goalies in the league are going to stop that shot.

2nd Star- Spencer Martin- 29 saves

It's hard to put into words how incredible his two starts with the Hurricanes have been. It's not that he's been set up to fail by starting in Boston and Vegas, but those aren't easy wins. Not only has be won them, he's won them both in regulation while allowing three goals. He kept the Canes in the game early before settling in and making stops when the team needed him to. 

1st Star- Seth Jarvis- 1 goal, 1 assist

Aided by his two-point performance tonight, Jarvis was easily the MVP of the road trip. He found the scoresheet in all three games, picking up four points. His assist on Svechnikov's goal set a new career-high as he continues to put together the best offensive season of his young career. Jarvis has found his role and is thriving with each game. 

Up Next- The Canes will begin another short homestand on Monday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. It'll be our first look at Connor Bedard live and up close. They will also welcome the Panthers and Stars to PNC Arena, both of whom have defeated the Canes in regulation this season.