"No, Not Into Your Own Net": 2025-26 Regular Season, Game 8: Carolina Hurricanes at Dallas Stars

The Carolina Hurricanes reached their final stop on their road trip on Saturday night, traveling to the Big D to battle Mikko Rantanen and the Stars. Of course, the game had an interesting feel with so many Hurricanes out of the lineup with injuries. The group lost three players throughout the night on Thursday in Denver, bringing the list of six. The Canes sent five rookies onto the ice on Saturday night, including a trio of defenders and Brandon Bussi in the net. The fourth was top prospect Bradly Nadeau, making his season debut in what could be an extended look for the top prospect. The goal for the night was to avoid any major catastrophic moments, particularly on the injury front. If they could do that, it would be a good night.

Scoring Summary

1st Period

CAR (4:14)- Jackson Blake (2) (unassisted)

CAR (19:49)- Sebastian Aho (4) (Nikolaj Ehlers (3))

2nd Period

DAL (1:04)- Miro Heiskanen (1) (Esa Lindell (3))

DAL (5:41-PP)- Sam Steel (1) (Thomas Harley (6) & Mikko Rantanen (6))

3rd Period

DAL (11:18-PP)- Miro Heiskanen (2) (Wyatt Johnston (4) & Mikko Rantanen (7)) 

My Thoughts

Just as they did on Thursday night in Denver, the Hurricanes got off to an excellent start in Dallas. 
Jackson Blake got it rolling just over four minutes into the game, capitalizing on a bouncing puck by making a great move to get his shot past Jake Oettinger. Along with a successful kill, a great 2-on-1 save by Oettinger, and two metal shots, the Canes looked like they were getting into the break ahead by a goal. Instead, Sebastian Aho extended the lead with just over 10 seconds left, bringing his goal streak to three games and his point streak to eight. It was a wicked shot on another 2-on-1 chance, and it was feeling like things were heading towards a fifth win on the trip. Of course, the fun times wouldn't last.

Dallas tied the game early in the second period, scoring twice in 5:41. It was knotted at two, and neither side was willing to budge. I believe the difference in the game came down to one play in the corner with the Canes on the power play. Taylor Hall laid a vicious-looking hit on Roope Hintz, causing the Star to stay on the ice. The referees called a major penalty to review it, ultimately landing on a minor penalty for charging. I think this was the wrong call. The hit was the definition of clean. Hall kept his skates on the ice when he contacted Hintz shoulder-to-shoulder. The natural momentum brought Hall's skates off the ice after contact was made, so it's not as if he launched into the hit. I agree that Hintz sustaining an injury helped things, as did the penalty that Seth Jarvis took to give Dallas a power play shortly after. Miro Heiskanen benefitted from another bounce off a Hurricane, scoring the eventual game-winning goal on the ensuing power play. It was the second time Heiskanen's attempted pass hit a defender and went into the net, so it's very fitting this is how the Canes lost the game.

Brandon Bussi allowed just one goal to the Dallas Stars, in the conventional sense. Only one Dallas shot directly went into the net against him, with both of Heiskanen's goals being bounces off defenders. Even the one that did beat him was deflected on the power play, so it's not as if he had much of a chance on it either. Otherwise, Bussi had a phenomenal night. It was the most taxing night he had on the road trip, facing 34 shots and making 31 stops. He finishes the trip 2-1-0, similar to Frederik Andersen, looking better and better with each start. He has made things very interesting in the crease for the Hurricanes, with Pyotr Kochetkov yet to make an appearance this season. Bussi earned each start after his debut in San Jose, and he has earned even more.

I'm about ready to put a "Missing Persons" ad on the side of milk carton with a giant picture of Andrei Svechnikov's face. He has been nowhere to be found on the scoresheet this season, despite numerous chances given to him. Svechnikov had a golden chance to put the team back in front in the second period. Oettinger had overcommitted, leaving the net open as Svechnikov crashed. The pass was put there for him to knock home, but Esa Lindell tied his stick up, preventing him from finishing the job. While Lindell does deserve some credit for a good defensive play, Svechnikov was clearly outworked. Svechnikov has been given chance after chance, only to come up empty. The concerns are only growing louder. Something has to give soon.

First Star of the Game: Jackson Blake

I think Brandon Bussi could easily be here, but I'm going with the most impactful skaters for the Canes tonight. Jackson Blake got things rolling early with a beautiful sequence. He tied for the team lead with three shots, closing the road trip with points in four of the six games (1G, 3A). Blake was all over the ice tonight, proving to be a massive pest.

Next Up: The Canes get the Vegas Golden Knights again on Tuesday, playing their first game at home since October 11th against the Flyers. It's part of the Frozen Frenzy around the league, with all 32 teams playing throughout the night. They close the month against the New York Islanders on Thursday, also at the Lenovo Center.