"Operation Fire Extinguisher": 2024-25 Regular Season, Game 6: Hurricanes at Calgary Flames

After a thrilling comeback victory against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, the Hurricanes hoped that their trip to Calgary would be a little smoother. The Canes erased a 2-0 third-period deficit to defeat the Oilers in overtime, helping them move to 2-1-0 on their current six-game road trip. Their opponent on Thursday is one of the hottest teams in the league. Calgary is one of four teams without a regulation loss, relying on dramatic and balanced scoring to shock the league. With the Canes' road trip reaching its second half, they would need to dig deep to secure two points against the Flames.

Scoring Summary

1st Period

CAR (12:29)- Seth Jarvis (2) PP (Sebastian Aho (5) & Martin Necas (5))

2nd Period

CAR (0:41)- Jack Roslovic (3) (Brent Burns (1) & Andrei Svechnikov (4))

CAR (1:59)- Martin Necas (3) (Shayne Gostisbehere (2) & Jesperi Kotkaniemi (5))

CGY (13:01)- Jake Bean (1) (Connor Zary (4) & Mikael Backlund (3))

3rd Period

CGY (13:05)- Jonathan Huberdeau (4) (Justin Kirkland (3) & Rasmus Andersson (6))

CAR (18:43)- Eric Robinson (1) EN (Pyotr Kochetkov (1))

My Thoughts

For at least the next year, Alberta is Canes Country. The Alberta sweep was completed tonight, proving a sharp contrast from last season's visit. This Flames team is legit. Their start doesn't appear to be a fluke, giving the Pacific Division another interesting horse in the race, especially with Edmonton struggling to get going. However, they were bested for the first time in regulation by the Hurricanes. It wasn't a pretty victory, but it was two points, nonetheless. It was a perfect storm in the first 22 minutes before the Canes had to hold on for dear life the rest of the way.

I don't know what it is about goalies during this trip, but the Canes seem to be getting goalies playing their best games of the season. Joel Blomqvist was the only reason the score wasn't worse in Pittsburgh. Joel Hofer was incendiary in St. Louis. Stuart Skinner looked like the goalie who carried Edmonton to the Stanley Cup Final. Tonight, Dan Vladar was playing at a Vezina level, especially with his team down 3-0. The Hurricanes had chance after chance against Vladar that he somehow kept out of the net. The most crucial were his consecutive stops on Jack Roslovic and Martin Necas after the Flames made it 3-2 late in the third period. 

Not to be outdone, Pyotr Kochetkov got right back on the horse after a rough start against St. Louis on Saturday. The Flames came out and challenged him in the first two minutes, with Nazem Kadri getting a pair of chances almost immediately. He wasn't perfect, causing the icing that led to Jake Bean's goal to give Calgary life, but he was timely. When the Flames crashed the net, Kochetkov stood his ground. The second goal was an unfortunate bounce, so there wasn't much he could do about it. The icing on the cake was his redemption playing the puck, rimming it along the boards with Calgary's net empty so Eric Robinson could catch up to it and score to seal the win. I didn't realize it was his first NHL point. I just assumed he'd recorded one already. 

A lot of the same faces were in charge of scoring tonight, led by another great game from Martin Necas. With an assist on Seth Jarvis' power play goal and his 100th NHL goal in the second period, Necas was the only Hurricane to record multiple points. Sebastian Aho and Shayne Gostisbehere each extended their point streaks to five games. Jesperi Kotkaniemi kept his quietly hot start going with another assist. Andrei Svechnikov got back on the scoresheet with a helper. Jack Roslovic has three goals during four games on the trip. Eric Robinson and Brent Burns were finally rewarded for their efforts with a goal and an assist, respectively. It would've been nice to see the fourth line get something. 

With their win, the Hurricanes have captured six of a possible 12 points on the trip, meaning they'll finish no worse than .500. While that's not bad, finishing at .500 would be a letdown after how things have been going. They finish the trip against Seattle on Saturday and Vancouver on Monday, both of whom have been playing decently to start the season. The Kraken made some big moves during the offseason, bringing in Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson, while Vancouver has the reigning Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes and an offense that is tough to stop when they're clicking. There's still plenty of work to be done before heading back to Raleigh.

When We Meet Again- The Flames will make their trip to Raleigh in March during the second half of an Alberta takeover in Raleigh. The Canes will host the Oilers on March 1 before battling the Flames on March 2. 

#RaiseUp First Star of the Game- Martin Necas

This feels like an extension from Tuesday's win because Necas could've easily been the first star of that game, too. Necas' start has blossomed during the two games in Alberta, combining for five points in four periods going back to the third period on Tuesday. He leads the team with eight points after securing his 100th NHL goal in Calgary.

The Road Ahead- After the Hurricanes complete their road trip, they'll begin a four-game homestand at the Lenovo Center. It'll start on Halloween night against the Boston Bruins before three straight games against Metropolitan Division opponents, including their first looks at the Capitals and the Flyers and a second matchup with the Penguins.