Carolina Hurricanes: Top Three Goals of the Regular Season

3. Justin Faulk: April 4, 2019 vs. New Jersey Devils

We start with the game winning goal of the most recent home game, the game that propelled the Carolina Hurricanes to the playoffs. This goal wasn’t as prolific as the rest on this list, but it has the most meaning. This goal had to be included in the top three of the season.

This was a long time coming for Justin Faulk. He was on the Hurricanes for most of the dreadful playoff drought that the Canes endured. This goal meant a lot to Faulk, the rest of the Hurricanes, the fans, and just about everyone involved in putting this team together. This goal was huge for the franchise and it gave the fans optimism for the present and the future.

In terms of the actual goal it wasn’t anything spectacular, just a blast of a slap shot from the point by Faulk. This goal isn’t about a highlight it was about so much more. This goal had meaning in many different ways. Other then being the playoff clinching goal, this goal occurred on the power play, which has improved over the last week of the season and is crucial for success for the Hurricanes in the postseason.

Another thing about the goal is that Faulk’s offensive production has spiked towards the end of the year. This goal can provide confidence to Faulk who has struggled on the power play this year and on offense at times this season. When Faulk gets going that makes the first power play unit even more lethal than it should be. The power play has been a huge disappointment this season, but with confidence going into the playoff it can be an asset rather than a detriment.

This was the game winning goal against the Devils with the win being iced by Nino Niederreiter who extended the lead to 3-1. This was the goal that put the Hurricanes back into the playoffs. This is a goal that will always be remembered by the fans of the Carolina Hurricanes.

2. Jordan Staal: March 16, 2019 vs. Buffalo Sabres

Next, we turn to a game played in the dog days of March, during a game that game right after a crushing defeat at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The team needed to make a statement to all their naysayers. It came off the stick of one of their most powerful and hardworking forwards.

This goal was absolutely stunning. Micheal Ferland passed the puck to Jordan Staal where Staal skated ahead where he met Brandon Montour, spun around, and lasered a backhanded shot passed Linus Ullmark. Just to stop and turn and release a wicked shot off the backhand with elevation stunned Ullmark and he couldn’t stop it.

The goal also happened to be a milestone for Staal. This happened to be Staal’s 500th career NHL point and Staal showed little to no emotion after achieving a huge milestone in his career. Staal after that game said that the milestone really wasn’t on his mind. He was just worried about getting the two points in the Hurricanes push towards the playoffs.

https://twitter.com/NHLCanes/status/1107091352930652160

This was also Staal’s second goal since he returned from his long hiatus with a concussion. It was a huge goal for him moving forward into the later stages of the regular season. He started to get into a groove offensively as well as play the physical brand of hockey he does and excel in the faceoff circle. When good things happen like that it can drastically shift a player’s confidence.

Staal went on to have two point games twice in the next three contests after the Sabres. He was clearly boosted on an offensive level after scoring such an elite goal from someone not really known for their scoring ability.

1. Warren Foegele: March 28, 2019 vs. Washington Capitals

The FoeGOAL of all goals. Coming off a loss to the same Washington Capitals, the Carolina Hurricanes needed to show that they could compete with the Stanley Cup Champs. Looking back now that we know they will be our first round dance partners, This game was not one the Hurricanes could simply roll on. Although they lost the game, they at least came out with this goal.

This goal was an absolute highlight reel of a goal, even goal of the year candidate worthy. Warren Foegele entered the Hurricanes offensive end with speed, blew passed Capitals defenseman Nick Jensen, and had too much speed for a reaching Braden Holtby and deposited the puck into a wide open net. To cap of the goal, Foegele celebrated by jumping into the glass getting fired up.

This goal had little impact on how the game finished, however, but it doesn’t take away from how spectacular of a goal it was. It put the Hurricanes ahead of the Capitals 2-1 in the second period, but eventually dropped this game 3-2 after two third period goals by the Capitals.

The goal, in fact, turned the fortunes of Foegele’s campaign. Foegele gained more confidence on the offensive side of the puck and wound up scoring two more goals to finish the season at 10. Each of these goals were scored in the last two games of the season. Foegele generating confidence this close to playoff time is huge for the Hurricanes depth.

Even though goals like this may not be the deciding factor in an outcome of a game, you can’t deny that this goal was real pretty. Foegele just out-skated everyone to get to the front of the net and cash in on the opportunity.

These were the top three goals of the 2018-19 regular season for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Question for CC Readers: Which goal that wasn’t listed do you think deserves to be top three?