"x-": 2025-26 Regular Season, Game 75: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

For the first time this season, the Hurricanes have a chance to put the "x" next to their name in the standings. With a win or an extra-time loss and some help, the Canes could secure their eighth straight postseason trip, even if it feels like a formality at this point. They could do it against a division opponent, looking to complete their home-and-home sweep of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The win on Tuesday felt a little closer than it needed to be until the Canes broke it open over the last few minutes. The power play was great, as were Nikolaj Ehlers and Brandon Bussi. For the Blue Jackets, Kirill Marchenko woke up a little, which could present some trouble for the Canes tonight. I'm expecting to see some serious fight from Columbus tonight, and the Canes better be prepared for it.

Scoring Summary

1st Period

CAR (2:27)- Logan Stankoven (16) (K'Andre Miller (27) & Taylor Hall (26))

CAR (8:52)- Logan Stankoven (17) (Taylor Hall (27) & Jackson Blake (25))

CAR (12:50-SH)- Alexander Nikishin (11) (Seth Jarvis (33) & Sebastian Aho (51))

2nd Period

CBJ (11:24)- Denton Mateychuk (13) (Boone Jenner (24) & ISac Lundestrom (8))

CAR (11:37)- Jordan Martinook (12) (Jordan Staal (14))

3rd Period

CAR (6:44-PP)- Andrei Svechnikov (28) (Shayne Gostisbehere (34) & Sebastian Aho (52))

My Thoughts

When you want a job done the right way, you do it yourself. The Canes didn't have to win tonight to make the playoffs. A point and some help would've done the trick. They didn't want to deal with those prospects, and it wouldn't have worked in their favor, with Detroit and Ottawa both winning. Instead, the Canes took an early lead and never gave it back. Logan Stankoven was a key piece in that, as were his linemates. Stankoven was in front of the net to tip K'Andre Miller's shot 2:27 into the contest, getting the Canes started in the right direction. All three forwards on the line came together for another goal a few minutes later. Jackson Blake won a battle along the boards and got it to Taylor Hall, who left it for Stankoven to put home. Adding insult to injury, the Canes added a short-handed goal late in the frame from Alexander Nikishin to really put the Blue Jackets into a tougher spot. As was the case on Tuesday, the Canes' first period put them in a position to win this game.

The Blue Jackets had two big moments to turn the momentum in their favor. During both chances, the Canes immediately took it right back. The first was the aforementioned power play that saw Nikishin score his first short-handed goal and his 30th point of the season. The second was during the middle frame after they scored their only goal of the night. Denton Mateychuk scored the goal, cutting the Canes' lead to two midway through the second. Just 13 seconds later, it was right back to three. The Staal line was tasked with the bump-up shift, and they scored a goal when Jordan Martinook took a shot from the point that hit Zach Werenski's stick and deflected into the net. From there, they never found their groove again.

Tonight saw 11 of the Canes' 18 skaters find the scoresheet. The Stankoven line led the way with five points, as Stankoven scored two goals, Hall added two assists, and Blake provided one. Sebastian Aho had a pair of helpers. Seth Jarvis had an assist. Andrei Svechnikov scored for the third straight contest. Miller and Nikishin had points on the back end. When the Canes are at their very best, everyone is getting involved. Only the fourth line didn't record a point. In fact, they were on the ice for the goal against.

The Hurricanes are heading back to the postseason for the eighth straight season with a win that felt so much easier than I had expected. The Blue Jackets at least made Tuesday's game feel a little closer, erasing a 2-0 deficit in the third period before the Canes pulled away. Tonight, they had no juice whatsoever. They only recorded 10 shots against Frederik Andersen. Their forward group only had 2 of those shots, and while their defense had the other 8, Zach Werenski didn't have any of them. Their stars were almost completely absent. For a team that is supposed to be in playoff mode for the final push, the Blue Jackets looked really bad tonight.

First Star of the Game: Logan Stankoven

For the better part of the last few games, Logan Stankoven has been snake-bitten. These last two games against Columbus were exactly what he needed. After scoring on Tuesday, Stankoven scored two more in the opening nine minutes of tonight's contest. He nearly scored his third on a backhand chance in the first period, which would've been incredible. Instead, his first NHL hat trick must wait for another day.

Around the League

Pittsburgh: Despite leading 2-1 after 20 minutes, the Penguins crumbled over the final 40 minutes, allowing a hat trick to Anthony Cirelli in a 6-3 loss to the Bolts.

New York: While they weren't in action tonight, the Islanders have a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday, facing the Flyers tomorrow before visiting Raleigh on Saturday.

Columbus: After consecutive losses to the Canes, the Blue Jackets have lost their spot as the second Wild Card team, being jumped by both Ottawa and Detroit tonight.

Philadelphia: They worked their way into the conversation, but the Flyers have lost their last two games after falling to the Red Wings tonight. 

Washington: Maybe I'm reading too much into the Capitals being three points out of a playoff spot, though a 7-3 loss to the Devils tonight doesn't help their case.

Current Standings

x-Carolina: 102 Points (7 GR)

Pittsburgh: 92 Points (6 GR)

New York: 89 Points (6 GR)

Columbus: 88 Points (6 GR)

Philadelphia: 86 Points (7 GR)

Washington: 85 Points (6 GR)

Next Up: The Hurricanes turn their attention to another weekend back-to-back. They'll play their third straight division game, welcoming the New York Islanders back to Raleigh on Saturday night. On Sunday, the group will be in Canada's capital, battling the Ottawa Senators for the final time this season. The Canes return to Raleigh to play their final home game against the Bruins on Tuesday before a season-ending four-game road trip.