"Hurricane Force Winds": 2024-25 Regular Season, Game 47: Hurricanes at Chicago Blackhawks

It was a night of milestones as the Hurricanes skated into Chicago to begin the first half of a back-to-back. Captain Jordan Staal skated in his 1300th NHL game and Frederik Andersen, returning after nearly three months on the shelf, appeared in his 500th. For Andersen, it would be the first time we saw his surgically repaired knee in action. It was also the first time we've seen Teuvo Teravainen since returning to Chicago this offseason.

Scoring Summary

1st Period

CHI (9:46)- Philipp Kurashev (4) (Ryan Donato (13) & Louis Crevier (1))

CHI (16:55)- Tyler Bertuzzi (17) (Seth Jones (16) & Frank Nazar (4))

2nd Period

CAR (1:25)- Seth Jarvis (16) SH (Sebastian Aho (32) & Jaccob Slavin (13))

CAR (7:26)- Jesperi Kotkaniemi (7) (Eric Robinson (12) & Jaccob Slavin (14))

CHI (19:41)- Ryan Donato (14) (Taylor Hall (15) & Philipp Kurashev (3))

3rd Period

CAR (14:37)- Jordan Staal (10) (Jordan Martinook (15) & Dmitry Orlov (18))

Overtime

CAR (0:59)- Sebastian Aho (14) (Martin Necas (36) & Jaccob Slavin (15))

My Thoughts

Use any type of saying you want. A win is a win. Two points are two points. They don't ask how, they ask how many. All of it applies. I don't care who the Canes are playing and where they are in the standings. I'll never be upset about a win and two points. The Blackhawks might be the worst team in the league in points, but they gave the Canes all they could handle. Still, the Canes found a way to dig themselves out of a hole they created and earn two points. On the road, no less. How can you be mad at that? I'm sure people will find a way, but not me. It was a win and that's all I asked for. 

It was a big night for both goalies. On one end, the Hurricanes welcomed Frederik Andersen back into the net as he played his 500th NHL game. I thought he was good after three months off. He made big stops early, limited the damage as best he could, and made the save of the night on Tyler Bertuzzi in the third period of a tie game. Andersen probably could've gotten his stick on a couple of passes that led to goals, but I'll attribute it to rust. On the other end, Petr Mrazek was sensational for Chicago. He terrorized his former team again, making 44 saves. It wouldn't be enough to lead the Blackhawks to a win, but that's far from his fault. There's only so much a goalie can do. He's the only reason the game remained as tight as it was all night.

In classic Canes fashion, they dug themselves into a 2-0 hole after the first period before turning around and dominating the second. Seth Jarvis' short-handed goal and Jesperi Kotkaniemi's hard work behind the net before he was rewarded allowed the Canes to work back into it and draw even. All of it came crumbling down when the Hawks scored with 18.7 seconds left in the period That could've been a backbreaker for the Canes. Instead, they played even better in the third and forced overtime thanks to the captain. Playing in his 1300th game, Jordan Staal didn't give up on the play as the referee yelled that the puck was loose as it sat behind Mrazek. Staal found it and scored his 700th point to draw the Canes even and ensure they earned a point (after Andersen robbed Bertuzzi, of course). 

The Carolina Hurricanes have won four games in overtime this season. Martin Necas has assisted on all four (two primary and two secondary). Sebastian Aho has scored all four. They haven't been perfect, evidenced by their three extra-losses, but it has continued to be the trend over the last few seasons. There's a reason Aho has the most overtime goals in franchise history while Necas is second. The two seem to meld with each other once 3-on-3 hits, creating magic in the process. Tonight's magic only took 51 seconds before Aho wired a one-timer from the right dot past Mrazek. 

When We Meet Again- It'll only be ten days from now when the Blackhawks will head to Raleigh to face the Hurricanes. The Lenovo Center will play host to the meeting on January 30th, the Canes' final game in January.

#RaiseUp First Star of the Game- Sebastian Aho

Sometimes, it's as easy as scoring the game-winner in overtime to be named the first star. In all fairness, Sebastian Aho had a very good night overall. Along with his fourth overtime goal of the season, tying him with Martin Necas for the most in a single season, Aho had the pass to Seth Jarvis short-handed to begin the scoring for the Canes. Necas, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and Eric Robinson all deserve honorable mentions for their efforts tonight as well. 

The Road Ahead- The Canes will complete their back-to-back against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night. They'll return home for a brief stop against the Blue Jackets on Thursday before playing two games in New York. First, the Canes will be on Long Island on Saturday night. Then, they'll be at MSG for their third meeting with the Rangers next Tuesday.