The Carolina Hurricanes welcomed newly acquired Evgeny Kuznetsov to their lineup on Saturday, but his linemate Jesperi Kotkaniemi made the crucial play against the New Jersey Devils.
Kotkaniemi broke a tie with a sharp-angle shot early in the third period, and Pyotr Kochetkov made 24 saves, leading the Hurricanes to a 4-2 victory over the Devils.
“That’s what we try to lean on every night,” Kotkaniemi said of the Hurricanes’ style. “We aim to get a couple of goals on the power play and capitalize on chances, but our main focus is defense. Being tight in our own end has been key to our recent wins.”
Martin Necas also scored, while Andrei Svechnikov and Teuvo Teravainen added empty-net goals. The Hurricanes swept the three-game season series with New Jersey and improved to 8-2-1 in their last 11 games. Teravainen finished with three points, extending his point-scoring streak to six games.
Kuznetsov, acquired from Washington on Friday, played his first game since January 27 after entering the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program on February 5. Despite limited skating in the past 50 days, he was optimistic about his new team.
“A lot of young guys,” the 31-year-old Russian said. “They compete hard and have skill. My job is to fit in and do whatever is best for the team.”
Nico Hischier and Timo Meier scored for the Devils, who are 1-2 under interim coach Travis Green. Nico Daws made 23 saves.
Goaltending has been an issue for the Devils this season, and the go-ahead goal was one Daws likely wants back. Kotkaniemi collected a loose puck in the left corner and fired it at the net. Despite Daws’s body against the goalpost, the puck found an exposed inch over his shoulder.
“It’s one of those tight-knit games where a mistake is going to be the difference,” Daws said. “And, you know, it sucks to be the one to make it.”
Svechnikov made it 3-1 late, and after Meier brought New Jersey within a goal with 12 seconds left, Teravainen closed out the scoring.
Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour faced some second-guessing. Leading 1-0 in the second period and about to go on a two-man advantage, an apparent power-play goal by Brady Skjei was waved off due to Stefan Noesen’s interference with Daws. Brind’Amour’s unsuccessful challenge led to losing the two-man advantage.
Hischier tied the game at 1-all with 4:33 left in the second period, shooting over Kochetkov’s glove. Jack Hughes set the goal by stealing a pass from Andrei Svechnikov in the Hurricanes’ zone.
Necas scored on a power play at 12:28 of the first period, beating Daws from the blue line for his 20th goal.
The Hughes brothers — Jack and Luke — both hit the goalposts for the Devils.
UP NEXT
- Hurricanes: Return home to face Calgary on Sunday.
- Devils: Visit the Rangers on Monday.
