For the second time in as many nights, the Carolina Hurricanes and the New Jersey Devils locked horns. The Devils bested the Canes on Friday night, winning 4-2 despite an overall solid effort from the visitors. Meeting for the fourth and final time of the regular season, the Hurricanes sought to even the season series by earning the win on home ice.
For the first time this season, the Hurricanes saw a change on defense as Ty Smith made his Hurricanes debut in Shayne Gostisbehere's place due to an upper-body injury. Dustin Tokarski made his third start with the Canes after suffering a loss to the Predators on Monday. Jake Allen countered for the Devils as Brett Pesce played his first game in Raleigh as a visitor after missing the first clash at the Lenovo Center.
While the first period wouldn't feature a goal, a lot was going on. The shots were flying from every angle for both teams and the bodies were flying, too. Both goalies looked sharp as the Canes started to gain momentum late in the period. William Carrier drew the first penalty, allowing the Canes to finish the period a man up. Smith took Gostisbehere's spot on the power play and looked very comfortable. The Canes didn't score but finished with four shots to close the scoreless frame.
Despite controlling the momentum, the Devils snatched it away by capitalizing on a mistake early in the second period. Jesperi Kotkaniemi fumbled a pass, allowing Paul Cotter to steal it and score on a breakaway less than three minutes in. The Canes nearly fell into a two-goal hole as the Devils pushed short-handed. Tokarski made a strong initial stop on Nico Hischier before Martin Necas saved a goal with his skate, robbing Dawson Mercer.
The Canes' penalty kill got work twice late in the period, coming up with two successful kills. This helped swing the game back in the Canes' favor. As Allen continued to shine, the home team finally found a way to beat him. With 30 seconds left in the second period, Dmitry Orlov unleashed a one-timer from the near dot to break the shutout bid and get the Canes into the intermission tied at one.
Once again, the Devils seized control early in the third period. Jesper Bratt slid the puck across the crease to Ondrej Palat for his second goal of the weekend just over a minute into the period. This time, the Canes wasted little time responding. Sebastian Aho scored 51 seconds later, sneaking a shot through Allen to knot the game once again.
Before the first commercial break of the final period, Timo Meier and Martin Necas collided in the neutral zone. It appeared to be a knee-on-knee collision instigated by Meier, leaving Necas on the ice for a while. The referees reviewed it after calling a major penalty, upheld their call, and sent Meier to the showers for the night. While Kotkaniemi also earned a roughing penalty in retaliation, the Canes would eventually earn three minutes on the power play.
Late during the ensuing advantage, Kotkaniemi's shot from the point was redirected by Jackson Blake, ending the rookies' long goal drought and giving the Canes their first lead of the night. Less than 90 seconds later, Jack Roslovic grabbed the team lead in goals by burying a beautiful Seth Jarvis pass to make it 4-2. Roslovic would add one more before the end of the night, finishing this battle with an empty-net goal to secure the season split with a 5-2 victory.
This was the closest to a playoff game as there's been this season, which is fitting for two teams who appear destined to face off in April or May. There were 82 hits in the game, many of them of the high-speed variety. I think the entire Meier-Necas debacle begins with Necas laying Meier out, legally, in the first period. The Canes have started showing a lot more snarl lately, which could be useful later in the season.
Another big moment during the third period came shortly after Roslovic's 4-2 goal. Erik Haula, known "fan favorite" in Raleigh, caught Orlov with a hit in the head behind the Canes' net. Orlov was busted open and didn't take kindly to it. After going to the bench, but remaining on the ice, Orlov confronted Haula by wrestling him to the ice. Both players received minor penalties and play continued.
In all of the pageantry of this chaotic game, the Hurricanes managed to earn Rod Brind'Amour his 300th NHL win, making him the fastest coach in league history to this mark. It happened, largely, because of major work from the Canes' top line. Roslovic, Aho, and Jarvis combined for three goals and eight points, seven of which came in the third period. Aho and Jarvis could've had more if Aho had converted on some great chances short-handed in the second period.
It was also another good night for Jackson Blake. For the second time this season, Blake scored the game-winner on a deflection against the Devils. This time, he broke a 13-game drought to do so. The days off for Christmas must've done him wonders because he has come out of the break on fire. It might be worth giving him some time with the big guys in the near future.
Up Next: The Carolina Hurricanes will play their final game of 2024 in Columbus on Tuesday night. To begin 2025, they'll face the Florida Panthers in Sunrise before hosting a weekend back-to-back against Minnesota and Pittsburgh at the Lenovo Center.