Three Hurricanes, one Golden Knight
The Carolina Hurricanes were playing the second game of a back-to-back in the barn of the Stanley Cup Champions from the previous season, but they prevailed 3-1 over the Golden Knights on Saturday night thanks to a late waiver wire pickup by Spencer Martin.
The backup goalkeeper earned his second victory for the Hurricanes in only two games with a strong showing in Boston.
Martin was good in goal over much of the first period despite pressure from the host squad in the Carolina zone. During that time, they outshot the Canes 13–8.
Midway through the first period, Martin let up a goal, but that would be the last time this evening that a puck got past him.
For the remainder of the game, the Canes would play better and tighten up defense.
Seth Jarvis supplied Andrei Svechnikov with a great move early in the second quarter. The winger quickly found some space and blasted a perfect backhand shot past goaltender Adin Hill.
Svechnikov was penalized for high sticking late in the frame after Hill tripped him.
The officials claim that the Golden Knights had a flawless game in terms of penalties and that they did not receive a single call for infractions the whole evening. However, it turned out Carolina didn’t require a big play.
The Hurricanes would take the lead thanks to a breakaway goal by Jarvis during the subsequent penalty kill to open the third.Jesperi Kotkaniemi attempted a goal six minutes later, but it was deflected into the air. To make it 3-1, Stefan Noesen batted down the puck and then put it in the goal.
For the remainder of the game, the Hurricanes held on to win.
Martin was voted the first star of the game after making 29 saves out of the 30 shots he faced.
On Monday night, the Hurricanes will play the Blackhawks after returning home.
Notes about the Game:
Despite missing players Shea Theodore and Jack Eichel, the Golden Knights performed well.
In this hard-hit contest, the Canes were outhit 30 to 20. The squad gave Svechnikov a high five.
Jarvis blocked three shots, which was a team best.
Brent Burns led the squad in ice time once more with 22:09.