"100": 2025-26 Regular Season, Game 74: Carolina Hurricanes at Columbus Blue Jackets

The Canes and the Blue Jackets will get familiar with one another over the next few days, facing off in each other's barns tonight and Thursday to complete their season series. There is plenty at stake for both teams. The Canes can push their magic number to four with a win while strengthening their hold on the Metropolitan Division. For Columbus, both of these games are of significance, with their spot in the playoffs being challenged by plenty of teams. With Brandon Bussi and Jet Greaves ready to face off again, the teams in front of them needed to be at their best to help their goalies out. Columbus is fighting through injuries, while the Canes' Sean Walker was expected to go after a collision on Sunday. With points at a premium in the division, this could prove to be a momentum-swinging contest in the race.

Scoring Summary

1st Period

CAR (13:29-PP)- Shayne Gostisbehere (13) (Nikolaj Ehlers (39) & Andrei Svechnikov (37))

CAR (16:12-PP)- Logan Stankoven (15) (Mark Jankowski (10))

2nd Period

CBJ (15:14)- Kirill Marchenko (26) (Zach Werenski (57) & Mason Marchment (21))

3rd Period

CBJ (2:07)- Adam Fantilli (22) (Mason Marchment (22) & Kirill Marchenko (37))

CAR (12:42)- Nikolaj Ehlers (24) (Jalen Chatfield (15) & Jaccob Slavin (5))

CAR (13:55-PP)- Andrei Svechnikov (27) (Nikolaj Ehlers (40) & Sebastian Aho (50))

CAR (19:13-SH, EN)- Jordan Martinook (11) (unassisted)

My Thoughts

When these two met in Columbus two weeks ago, the big difference was the Blue Jackets' start. They scored twice on the power play in an eventual 5-1 win. Does that sound familiar? Tonight, the Hurricanes' scorching power play got two chances to operate in the opening frame, and they put the Canes ahead. The puck movement was outstanding, with Nikolaj Ehlers making a great pass to Shayne Gostisbehere. Jet Greaves must've been respecting Ehlers' shot because he looked a second or two behind once Gostisbehere let the shot go. Less than three minutes later, it was the second unit. Logan Stankoven scored from the slot after Mark Jankowski intercepted Cole Sillinger's attempted clear. Both goals came in the final 6:31 of the frame, putting the Canes in a great spot after 20 minutes.

These points are incredibly important for Columbus, so it's not surprising that they put together a huge comeback effort. Their top line was a big part of it. Kirill Marchenko broke a goalless drought and added an assist. He could've done a lot more damage if not for the Canes' netminder. He and Mason Marchment each had two points, while Adam Fantilli scored the tying goal early in the third. From there, Ehlers made all the difference. He scored a goal that will likely be seen as controversial in some Columbus circles after Jordan Martinook made some contact with the Columbus netminder. The Jackets challenged, but Toronto upheld the goal, sending the Canes back on the power play. This one felt surgical. Charlie Coyle had a choice to make. Either he'd take away the cross-ice pass or the pass to the goal line. He chose the latter. Ehlers made him pay. His pass to Andrei Svechnikov was outstanding, allowing him to finish it on a one-timer, putting the game away for good. Add a short-handed empty-net goal from Jordan Martinook, and the Canes had two more points.

I liked Brandon Bussi's performance on Saturday against the Devils. I loved it tonight in Columbus. Neither goal was particularly egregious, but his responses to adversity were what the Hurricanes needed. Almost immediately after Marchenko got Columbus on the board, Sean Monahan was alone in front of the net. The Canes were all caught on one side of the ice, leaving Monahan unmarked. Bussi stood tall and kicked the chance away, keeping it a one-goal game for the time being. He also had a few stops on Marchenko throughout the night, which felt huge in hindsight. He stopped 23 shots in the game to outduel Jet Greaves once more, who I felt had a fine game in his own right. It's three wins in a row for the netminder, which is a massive step in the right direction for him.

This was a very chippy game, which shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, given the time of year and the desperation being felt around the league. Hits were 23-18 tonight, but there were a lot of extra-curricular skirmishes between whistles. Without Mathieu Olivier or Nicolas Deslauriers in the lineup, we knew we wouldn't see a fight, though there were a few tense moments. Regardless, the night ended with the Canes picking up their 47th win and 100th point, coming shortly after the Sabres reached the same point total. The lead in the Metropolitan Division remains eight points for the Hurricanes, and their magic number is down to three, which means we're officially keeping our eye on some clinching scenarios for Thursday's game.

First Star of the Game: Nikolaj Ehlers

In his first season with the Hurricanes, Nikolaj Ehlers has been outstanding. Tonight, he led the way with three points, scoring the go-ahead goal in the third and adding a pair of assists on the power play. He hit 40 assists with his exceptional pass to Andrei Svechnikov, marking the first time he's done it in his career. With three points tonight, Ehlers tied his career-high by reaching 64 points. It's safe to say that things are going pretty well.

Around the League

Pittsburgh: On a rough night for the division, the Penguins joined the Canes in the win column by smacking the Red Wings around, 5-1, to put some distance between them and New York.

New York (I): The Islanders gave the Sabres a good fight, but their efforts fell just short after allowing a goal late in the third period in a 4-3 loss in Buffalo.

Columbus: While the Blue Jackets lost tonight, everyone behind them in the Wild Card race lost tonight, too, so they're still holding onto the last spot.

Philadelphia: The Flyers couldn't capitalize on Columbus' loss, keeping them two points outside of the field after a 6-4 loss in D.C. to the Capitals.

Current Standings

Carolina: 100 Points (8 GR)

Pittsburgh: 92 Points (7 GR)

New York (I): 89 Points (6 GR)

Columbus: 88 Points (7 GR)

Philadelphia: 86 Points (8 GR)

Next Up: These two will be right back at it on Thursday in Raleigh, wrapping the season series. This weekend, the Canes contend with another back-to-back. On Saturday, the Islanders will be in town. On Sunday, the Canes head to Ottawa. Their final home game rolls around on Tuesday against the Bruins before the Canes end the season on a four-game road trip, visiting Chicago, Utah, Philadelphia, and Long Island.