Second-period surge sends Hurricanes past Knights

Field Level Media|published: Tue 19th December, 21:59 2023

Dec 19, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes right wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) and Vegas Golden Knights center Paul Cotter (43) battle for position during the first period at PNC Arena. credits: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Bunting had a goal and two assists and the Carolina Hurricanes used a three-goal second period to take control in a 6-3 victory against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night at Raleigh, N.C.

Andrei Svechnikov scored in his first game back in the lineup, Brady Skjei had a goal and an assist and Jordan Staal, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Seth Jarvis also tallied as the Hurricanes equaled their highest goal total of the season. Sebastian Aho provided three assists and Pyotr Kochetkov made 30 saves for the win.

Carolina concluded a 1-0-2 homestand while stretching its points streak to five games (3-0-2).

William Carrier notched two goals and Nicolas Hague scored the other goal for the Golden Knights, who lost for the second time in three games yet still have the NHL's highest point total. Brett Howden had two assists.

Vegas goalie Logan Thompson allowed six goals on 28 shots, exiting after Carolina posted two goals in the opening 4:44 of the third period. Jiri Patera took over and stopped all 10 shots he faced.

Svechnikov, who missed the previous six games with an injury, has two goals in 17 games this season after his tally at 10:27 of the first period. It came after he took a pass from Skjei on the Hurricanes' first power play of the game.

At 13:15 of the first period, Carrier cut into the crease and put the puck past Kochetkov after the goalie blocked Brayden McNabb's attempt, tying the score. Carrier's fourth goal of the season ended a 20-game drought.

Staal's fifth goal came at 4:36 of the second period. He lifted the puck into the net after Jesper Fast's cross-ice pass sent the puck through the legs of a Vegas player.

Kotkaniemi produced his first goal in 11 games with a move that resulted in a wrist shot that sent the puck past Thompson for a 3-1 lead at 10:11 of the second period. Just 1:28 later, Bunting scored on a power play, his seventh goal of the season.

Jarvis' 11th goal and Skjei's sixth goal came in the third period.

Vegas center Jack Eichel made the scoresheet with an assist on Hague's second goal of the season with 1:24 left, so his franchise-record point streak moved to 11 games.

Carrier added his second of the night with 32 seconds remaining.

—Field Level Media

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