"Dynamite on the Pond": 2025-26 Regular Season, Game 4: Carolina Hurricanes at Anaheim Ducks

With their first road game behind them on this six-game trip, the Canes turn their focus to the Anaheim Ducks, a team trying desperately to reclaim the glory of their better days after years of mediocrity. Many believe that this is the year they can start to push the envelope, sitting as a dark horse to make the postseason after finishing with 80 points a year ago. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes enter The Pond with a red-hot offense averaging a league-best five goals per game. While their power play hasn't figured it out, few are clicking as well as the Canes at 5-on-5. It's the first big test of the road trip ahead of four very grueling games over the next nine days against teams with Stanley Cup aspirations.

Scoring Summary

1st Period

CAR (14:54)- Seth Jarvis (4) (Shayne Gostisbehere (4))

2nd Period

CAR (10:22-PP)- Seth Jarvis (5) (Jackson Blake (3) & Shayne Gostisbehere (5))

ANA (11:32)- Leo Carlsson (2) (Alex Killorn (1) & Drew Helleson (1))

3rd Period

CAR (2:38)- Alexander Nikishin (1) (Sebastian Aho (5) & Shayne Gostisbehere (6))

CAR (15:48)- Sebastian Aho (1) (Seth Jarvis (2))

My Thoughts

While their victory over the Ducks was another great team effort, it was the first time this season that a small group of players did the majority of the scoring. Of course, that small group is the team's most dangerous. Seth Jarvis, Shayne Gostisbehere, and Sebastian Aho combined for eight of the 10 points the team recorded in Anaheim, with Jarvis (2G, 1A) and Gostisbehere (3A) recording three each and Aho getting two (1G, 1A). We'd been waiting for the those two to put it together and have a game-changing night. The Canes' special teams were also just that on Thursday night. The penalty kill had another perfect night, going 4-for-4 against a good Ducks power play. The Canes' man advantage finally broke through, too, scoring the eventual game-winner in the 2nd period, courtesy of Jarvis. Sometimes, you need one group to do all of the heavy lifting on the scoresheet. Everyone contributed, but these guys got the points.

By the end of the night, there was only one moment that I was fixated on and beaming about, and I'm sure the same can be said for most of the other Caniacs. Alexander Nikishin scored his first NHL goal in Anaheim, and he sure was excited about it. Even more, his teammates appeared just as excited for him. It was a beautiful play, architected by Aho, but Nikishin had the wherewithal to find a soft spot in the defense to put himself in a position to score the goal. The puck came off his stick quickly, beating Dostal low. His postgame interview with Andrei Svechnikov translating for him was priceless. It has been an excellent start to the season for Nikishin, who has points in all four games, putting him just off the rookie lead.

On the defensive side of things, Frederik Andersen had a phenomenal night. This was the most rubber he's faced in his three starts, but it's easily the best he has looked. While he the first period featured a few good moments, it was everything after Anaheim's goal that impressed me. He probably should've stopped Leo Carlsson's shot on a 2-on-1, getting a good bit of it before it got through his arm. After the goal, the Ducks threw everything they could at him to end the second period, but Andersen kept them out. They had a few very good chances in the third period. Again, Andersen was up to the task. There was a particularly good sequence just before Aho's final dagger on Chris Kreider that was very nice. He did a little bit of everything, including a brief stint as an enforcer during a scuffle after the second period, ending with Lukas Dostal coming to the other end of the ice. I'm interested to see how Rod Brind'Amour deploys him for the remainder of the trip, especially with the caliber of opponents ahead. 

With their win tonight and Dallas' loss, the Carolina Hurricanes are the last undefeated team in the league. Colorado, Vegas, and Seattle haven't lost in regulation, but they have losses in extra time that tarnished their records. Even with this initial success, there is another level this team can reach, in every aspect of the game. They're playing without their top defenseman. Their big offseason addition hasn't found the scoresheet. Neither has Svechnikov. Their power play is a work in progress. Their neutral zone game has been spotty. These issues could easily be exposed over the next week when they play four playoff teams. 

First Star of the Game- Seth Jarvis

While he had two goals in their season opener, this was a far more complete game for Seth Jarvis. He finished with a team-high seven shots, more than doubling his next closest teammate. I'd argue the play that he made on Aho's goal was his best of the night, stripping Jackson LaCombe of the puck before Aho cleaned up the rebound. He had a chance to finish the hat trick in the third period, but Dostal got his pad on the shot. Jarvis now sits tied with Gostisbehere for the team lead in points, while sitting tied for third in the league in goals.

Next Up: The playoff gauntlet begins as the Canes stick in SoCal for a battle in Los Angeles on Saturday. Following their weekend tilt, the team starts heading toward the east with three straight against Vegas, Colorado, and Dallas, beginning with the Golden Knights on Monday night.