Thoughts From My Couch

It was a welcome sight seeing the captain back in the lineup after three games away, but the real story when the Canes hit the ice on Sunday night was who led them out for warm-ups. Brandon Bussi has been the team's most consistent goalie this season, which is an objectively wild statement. Earning his sixth win of the season on Friday, Bussi earned a chance to take the net in consecutive games for the first time. Against a Flames team struggling this season but finding its stride lately, it would be an interesting and earned chance for him to make a statement. Scoring Summary 1st Period None 2nd Period None 3rd Period None Overtime CAR (2:52)- Nikolaj Ehlers (5) (Taylor Hall (8) & Sean Walker (5)) My Thoughts The story of Brandon Bussi continues to write new and exciting chapters with each start. He helped the group keep its head above water before they poured it on against the Jets on Friday night. On Sunday, he might've stolen the entire game for them. It's wild that...

Last Game: The final score showcased a one-sided effort against the Winnipeg Jets, and, by all accounts, it was, but the Hurricanes took their sweet time pulling away. Seth Jarvis broke the ice late in the first period, finishing a beautiful pass from Shayne Gostisbehere in front of the net. The Canes maintained control of the game, but a turnover by Andrei Svechnikov ended with Mark Scheifele burying a breakaway to tie the game. After Brandon Bussi stoned Kyle Connor's short-handed breakaway early in the third with his toe, the Canes pulled away. Jordan Martinook got the go-ahead goal after Mark Jankowski found him in a soft spot between a trio of Jets. Just 47 seconds later, Jarvis added his second of the night with a glove-side snipe. Jarvis completed the hat trick into the empty net, finishing the second hat trick of his career. In the final minute, Alexander Nikishin added one more for good measure. Svechnikov and Shayne Gostisbehere recorded a pair of assists, and Bussi stopp...

The Hurricanes have Thanksgiving behind them, so it's back to our regularly scheduled broadcast as the group continues its homestand. They didn't get off on the best foot on Wednesday night against the Rangers, dropping their second game in a row. They remain without their captain, who'll miss his 3rd straight game, keeping the team's lineup the same. Against one of the best top lines in the league, the Canes will have their work cut out for them. They'll also have to contend with a goalie making his NHL debut as Thomas Milic took the net for the Winnipeg Jets. What's the worst that could happen? Scoring Summary 1st Period CAR (16:06)- Seth Jarvis (13) (Shayne Gostisbehere (14) & Sebastian Aho (16)) 2nd Period WPG (10:41)- Mark Scheifele (13) (Gabriel Vilardi (9)) 3rd Period CAR (11:52)- Jordan Martinook (3) (Mark Jankowski (3) & Shayne Gostisbehere (15)) CAR (12:39)- Seth Jarrvis (14) (K'Andre Miller (9) & Andrei Svechnikov (6)) CAR (18:57-EN)- ...

Last Game: The Carolina Hurricanes kicked off their seven-game homestand on Wednesday night with a pre-Thanksgiving letdown against the Rangers. The visitors broke the ice late in the first period. Noah Laba was given a little too much space and a solid net-front to snap one past Frederik Andersen. The Canes drew even on the power play early in the second. Sebastian Aho won the draw cleanly before feeding Shayne Gostisbehere for his second PPG in as many games. It felt as if the Canes were building momentum until Artemi Panarin scored on a one-timer with 1:04 left in the middle frame to restore the Rangers' lead. To add insult to injury, Vincent Trocheck scored 45 seconds into the third period to double New York's lead. Gostisbehere made a smart decision to jump into a play midway through the frame, finding Seth Jarvis for a lethal snipe to cut the deficit in half. The Canes' push came up empty with Will Cuylle scoring into the empty net, finishing a 4-2 victory for the Ran...

Before the Carolina Hurricanes could enjoy the spoils of Thanksgiving on Thursday, they had to deal with another division opponent, the New York Rangers. The good news was that it was on home ice, so the team won't have to worry about traveling for their holiday festivities. After a poor effort in Buffalo and with an illness and injuries causing uncertainty throughout the lineup, the Canes settled in to begin a seven-game homestand on Wednesday night. The Rangers have been on a roller coaster ride this season, going on long stretches of winning and losing during the first quarter of the season. With the holiday signaling the first big one of the regular season, heading into the day with a win would be nice for the team and the fans alike. Scoring Summary 1st Period NYR (16:53)- Noah Laba (4) (Taylor Raddysh (2) & Matthew Robertson (1)) 2nd Period CAR (5:04-PP)- Shayne Gostisbehere (3) (Sebastian Aho (14) & Nikolaj Ehlers (11)) NYR (18:56)- Artemi Panarin (7) (Adam Fox (19) ...

Last Game: The Carolina Hurricanes did not play a good game against the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday afternoon. They fell behind early after Alex Tuch was left all alone in front of the net for an easy tap-in on the power play. The Sabres thought they'd struck again shortly after, but Jacob Bryson's goal was taken off the board due to goalie interference. The Canes tied it late in the frame on the power play. A scramble in the crease caused Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen to be out of position for Shayne Gostisbehere to cash in. The Sabres took control of the game in the second. Early in the period, Jack Quinn popped one past Frederik Andersen, and Beck Malenstyn danged around Sebastian Aho before finishing a breakaway chance to double the lead. The Canes mounted a push in the third, yet it yielded nothing. Tage Thompson scored into the empty net, securing a 4-1 victory for Buffalo on home ice. Injury Report Jordan Staal: After missing Sunday's game with an illness, he didn't practice...

The Canes' road trip is at its end (finally) with some Sunday afternoon hockey in Buffalo. For the team's second matinee of the season, they certainly hope it goes better than the first one, when they failed to start on time and lost in Boston. The team has points in six straight games, including all three games on the trip (2-0-1). The Sabres are coming off a dominant 9-3 win over the Blackhawks on Friday night, so they're feeling themselves a bit, too. Andrei Svechnikov was set to skate in his 500th NHL game, although it feels like just yesterday that he made his NHL debut in 2018. As we approach the first major holiday of the season, the Canes need to finish strong, especially with the rest of the division faltering a little this week. They were handed a tough bout of adversity, with Jordan Staal declared out for the game with an illness. Scoring Summary 1st Period BUF (5:51-PP)- Alex Tuch (8) (Ryan McLeod (7) & Josh Doan (8)) CAR (14:36-PP)- Shayne Gostisbehere (2) ...

Last Game: The Carolina Hurricanes escaped danger on Friday night, keeping their point streak rolling. Jordan Staal got the team off to a quick start, scoring 16 seconds into the contest after making a beautiful move to the inside and snapping it top shelf on Eric Comrie. The Jets' response was quick and twice as deadly. Josh Morrissey found a soft spot after a tough line change by the Canes, scoring on the ensuing 3-on-1. Then, their power play took advantage of a miscue in the neutral zone by Mike Reilly. The defender put an attempted pass of Gabriel Vilardi's shin, allowing it to spring the Jets on a 2-on-1, which Vilardi finished. The Canes got it back in the second, courtesy of the captain. Staal redirected a pass in the high slot from the returning Jalen Chatfield to tie it up. While short-handed, the Canes regained the lead. K'Andre Miller broke up a pass at the line, sending Aho off for a breakaway. While Comrie denied him, Winnipeg-born Seth Jarvis cleaned up the r...

Before the teams took the ice for tonight's game, the Winnipeg Jets dropped a bombshell with Connor Hellebuyck undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery, taking him out for the next 4-6 weeks. This impacts not only tonight's battle but also their battle next Friday night in Raleigh. It gives full reins to Eric Comrie, who owns a shutout against the Canes during the calendar year. The Canes both did and didn't deserve a point on Wednesday night, falling 4-3 in a shootout in Minnesota. Their trip is halfway done, with the finish line just on the other side of the weekend. The team needs the top guys to step up and be impactful, especially with how well the Jets' stars are playing. Maybe Brandon Bussi could have something to say about that.  Scoring Summary 1st Period CAR (0:16)- Jordan Staal (6) (Jordan Martinook (6)) WPG (3:37)- Josh Morrissey (5) (Mark Scheifele (17) & Dylan DeMelo (8)) WPG (9:28-PP)- Gabriel Vilardi (7) (Cole Perfetti (2)) 2nd Period CAR (3:08)- Jordan ...

Last Game: The Carolina Hurricanes earned a point in Minnesota, but they definitely left the second one on the table. The Wild got off to a hot start on a tough bounce. Mats Zuccarello let one go that was heading well wide of the net. However, the puck hit Brock Faber's skate and slipped through Frederik Andersen's pads to open the scoring. Minnesota added another while short-handed. Sebastian Aho's pass was intercepted by Matt Boldy, giving him plenty of time to skate the other way and bury a breakaway goal to double the lead. The Canes finally found an answer for Jesper Wallstedt to break his 175:12 shutout streak. Jackson Blake redirected a shot after an incredibly hard-working shift to get the Canes on the board late in the second. His work was wiped away when Zuccarello scored for real, taking advantage of a collision in the Canes' offensive zone to score another breakaway goal. The Canes fought to get back into it. Aho brought the group within one by finishing a b...

The Carolina Hurricanes are off to a good start on their road trip, winning decisively in Game #1 of 4 against the Boston Bruins on Monday night. With momentum on their side, they tried to build a streak against the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday, playing the second half of TNT's doubleheader. We'll have to wait a little longer to see Jalen Chatfield back in the lineup, though his return to the ice and joining the team on the trip feels like a positive sign. The Wild are dealing with injuries of their own. While Mats Zuccarello is back, Marco Rossi and Ryan Hartman are now on the shelf. They're hoping that Jesper Wallstedt can keep his mojo rolling, entering the night with a shutout streak over 141 minutes after back-to-back shutouts. Scoring Summary 1st Period MIN (1:54)- Brock Faber (4) (Mats Zuccarello (5) & Danila Yurov (2)) MIN (11:46-SH)- Matt Boldy (11) (unassisted) 2nd Period CAR (14:03)- Jackson Blake (5) (Sean Walker (4) & Logan Stankoven (6)) 3rd Period MIN ...

Last Game: The Carolina Hurricanes opened their four-game trip with a big victory in Boston, earning some revenge after the Bruins squeaked out a victory when the Canes visited in early November. Pyotr Kochetkov and Jeremy Swayman were perfect through 20 minutes, but the Canes' captain got them on the board midway through the second. Joel Nystrom's shot got through and fell into Jordan Staal's lap. He fought to get his stick free, using one hand to fork it past Swayman to break the ice. Late in the frame, the fourth line doubled it. Shayne Gostisbehere made a high-risk, high-reward play to keep a puck in at the blue line, sending it to Sean Walker at the opposite point. Walker worked it back for Taylor Hall. His shot hit Mark Jankowski in front of the net, and the center was a step faster than Swayman, lifting it into the net. The 2-0 lead persisted until late in the third when Hall's incredible individual effort worked through the Bruins' defense and around Swayman...

While the Bruins enter the game without some of their top forwards and their top defenseman, the Hurricanes will still have plenty to contend with tonight in Beantown. As long as David Pastrnak is still playing, the Bruins will have a chance to win games. That being said, there are several impact players out tonight. Casey Mittelstadt and Viktor Arvidsson, who scored Boston's goals on November 1st, are out. Charlie McAvoy, who set up both goals, is out. Elias Lindholm, who is yet to play in November, is out. That's four major losses. The Canes are looking better, health-wise, though nothing has changed for them as their two best defensive defensemen remain on the shelf. Coming off a successful weekend, the Canes aim for a good start to their week-long road trip on the first stop of four.  Scoring Summary 1st Period None 2nd Period CAR (8:25)- Jordan Staal (5) (Joel Nystrom (2) & William Carrier (4)) CAR (13:34)- Mark Jankowski (1) (Taylor Hall (7) & Sean Walker (3)) 3rd...

Last Game: The Carolina Hurricanes settled for one point on Saturday night against the Edmonton Oilers, finishing with three of four possible points. The Oilers came out firing, getting goals from Jack Roslovic and Connor McDavid in the first 6:30 of the contest. The Canes slowly worked back into the game, starting with Eric Robinson's goal late in the first period to cut the deficit in half. Then, Nikolaj Ehlers tied the game early in the second, extending his point streak to seven games. The captains traded goals in the third, with McDavid and Jordan Staal scoring 59 seconds apart. With each side securing a point through 60 minutes, the Oilers wasted little time winning it in overtime. Leon Draisaitl scored 19 seconds into the extra session to earn the second point, winning, 4-3. McDavid and Draisaitl recorded three points each, while three of the Canes' four lines found the back of the net. Injury Report Jesperi Kotkaniemi: He missed Saturday's contest with an ankle inju...

Just as the roster was getting back to a good spot, the Carolina Hurricanes finished Friday night down two men. We know that Jesperi Kotkaniemi won't play, but Seth Jarvis's status remained unclear heading into the contest after taking a stick to the eye. Edmonton was facing some good injury news of its own, getting Zach Hyman back in time for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to exit with an ailment. Still, with the Canes staring down the barrel of another back-to-back, the group needed to be at its absolute best against two of the league's most dynamic playmakers.  Scoring Summary 1st Period EDM (3:47)- Jack Roslovic (6) (unassisted) EDM (6:30-PP)- Connor McDavid (8) (Jack Roslovic (8) & Leon Draisaitl (9)) CAR (15:39)- Eric Robinson (5) (Shayne Gostisbehere (11) & Taylor Hall (6) 2nd Period CAR (1:41)- Nikolaj Ehlers (4) (Jackson Blake (9) & Logan Stankoven (5)) 3rd Period EDM (5:46)- Connor McDavid (9) (Leon Draisaitl (10) & Zach Hyman (1)) CAR (6:45)- Jordan Staal (4...

Last Game: It wasn't a pretty game for the Carolina Hurricanes, but they escaped with two points against the Vancouver Canucks on Friday night. The Canucks struck first as Max Sasson capitalized on an unfortunate collision to bury a breakaway on their first shot of the night. Andrei Svechnikov got it right back by finishing a beautiful passing play with his linemates. He doubled up less than a minute later, burying a one-timer on the power play to give the Canes the lead. The power play earned another chance to strike, but Sean Walker turned the puck over in the slot, allowing Elias Pettersson to score short-handed, tying the game less than 10 minutes in. The Canucks' power play gave them the lead early in the second. Conor Garland was on the spot to finish a pass from Brock Boeser. The Canes wouldn't find the tying goal until the third period. Svechnikov picked up his third point with a strong forecheck, finding Shaye Gostisbehere with a cross-seam pass before setting up T...

Seeking a new winning streak after theirs was snapped on Tuesday, the Carolina Hurricanes skated into Friday night's contest hungry to start another back-to-back. Last weekend went so well, earning four points with a pair of regulation victories against Buffalo and Toronto. This weekend, they're up against two teams from a little further west. The Canes are starting to get healthier at the right time, but they still miss Jaccob Slavin and Jalen Chatfield. Pyotr Kochetkov, who has been excellent in his two starts since returning from a preseason injury, tried to make it three in a row against a Vancouver team with plenty of weapons, but also with a massive question mark on the back end, especially with Quinn Hughes' availability uncertain ahead of tonight's contest. Scoring Summary 1st Period VAN (2:45)- Max Sasson (4) (Mackenzie MacEachern (2) & Linus Karlsson (4)) CAR (4:20)- Andrei Svechnikov (5) (Sebastian Aho (11) & Seth Jarvis (6)) CAR (5:14-PP)- Andrei Sve...

Last Game: The Carolina Hurricanes were thoroughly outplayed by the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night, dropping their first division game of the season. A lost battle in the corner put the Canes in an early hole, with Ethan Frank set up Brandon Duhaime at the side of the net for an easy opening goal. The Capitals extended their lead in the second after Sebastian Aho failed to get a puck deep into the zone. They sent it the other way, ending with Dylan Strome burying a breakaway goal over Frederik Andersen's glove. The Canes got one back late in the period. Jackson Blake's speed through the neutral zone and into the Capitals' zone, and Nikolaj Ehlers' finish at the side of the net gave the group a little life. Washington seized the momentum back with an early PPG from Jakob Chychrun, and Alex Ovechkin scored his 901st goal into the empty net to secure a 4-1 win in Raleigh. Logan Thompson made 30 stops to continue his magnificent start. Shayne Gostisbehere added the on...

Owners of a four-game win streak, the Carolina Hurricanes sought a victory to match their season high when they welcomed the Washington Capitals to town for their only visit of the regular season. After the Canes dominated in a five-game series win last May, they tried to carry that momentum into their first meeting of the year. The Canes welcomed Shayne Gostisbehere back into the lineup after six games, bringing them closer to full strength on the blue line, something we haven't seen from them since before the team's State Fair trip. Frederik Andersen was outstanding when they met in the playoffs, while Logan Thompson is one of the league's best goalies this season, with eyes on making Team Canada for the Olympics. With bad blood likely bubbling to the surface, we could see some fireworks at the Lenovo Center on Tuesday night. Scoring Summary 1st Period WSH (5:42)- Brandon Duhaime (2) (Ethan Frank (3) & Nic Dowd (4)) 2nd Period WSH (5:59)- Dylan Strome (5) (Alex Ovechk...