25 Clutch Goals in Carolina Hurricanes History (Part 1: #25-16)
By Ben Huffman
#17: April 4, 2009- Anton Babchuk sends the Canes the postseason in style
After a few years of meddling outside the postseason picture, the Carolina Hurricanes were primed to return to the big dance with a few games left in the regular season. Needing a win to clinch, the Canes had to fend off the defending Eastern Conference Champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins. After 60 minutes, the game was tied 2-2. The Hurricanes controlled overtime, and it eventually led to their shining moment. After over 30 seconds of control in the offensive zone, Anton Babchuk stepped up and slapped one past Marc-Andre Fleury just 71 seconds into overtime to send them back to the playoffs.
#16: April 28, 2023- Sebastian Aho breaks the tie against New York…again
One year after coming up clutch against the Rangers, Sebastian Aho was back at it. This time, he’d be doing it to the New York Islanders. In Game 6 of a tightly-contested series, the Canes found themselves stymied by Ilya Sorokin. All of that changed thanks to the glove and stick of Aho. After Brett Pesce’s shot attempt popped up, Aho batted it down with his glove and knocked it into the back of the net to even the game. This would lead to Paul Stastny’s series-winner in overtime, but none of that would be possible without another timely goal from the Canes’ superstar.