The Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders locked horns in the final game of the season for each. The Islanders' year will be done following tonight's contest, after being eliminated over the weekend. The fun is only beginning for the Canes. Despite losing 3-2 in a shootout to the Flyers on Monday, the group clinched the top spot in the East through at least the conference finals.
Jalen Chatfield (undisclosed), Jordan Staal (undisclosed), K’Andre Miller (undisclosed), Sebastian Aho (undisclosed), Seth Jarvis (undisclosed), Sean Walker (undisclosed), Andrei Svechnikov (undisclosed), Taylor Hall (undisclosed) and Jaccob Slavin (undisclosed) will miss…
— Hurricanes PR (@CanesPR) April 14, 2026
With little left to play for, the Hurricanes gave their young guys and depth players a chance to run wild. This meant welcoming Felix Unger Sorum and Ronan Seeley into the fold to make their NHL debuts. Pyotr Kochetkov was supposed to return tonight, but a roster technicality prevented it from happening. Instead, Brandon Bussi was in the net against David Rittich.
In his first NHL period, Felix Unger Sorum didn't look out of place. On just his second shift, he got the puck to Nikolaj Ehlers, who skated in and snapped a shot past Rittich to get the Canes on the board first. Unger Sorum followed it up by hitting where the crossbar and the post meet, denying him his first goal. Bussi was excellent in the opening frame, maintaining the Canes' 1-0 lead after 20.
It was looking like another excellent shutdown period for the Canes on the road, but a delayed penalty sequence ruined the fun. Bo Horvat collected his 300th career goal, and Victor Eklund got his first point with the secondary helper, tying the game late in the second. Bussi made a few more big stops afterwards, keeping the game tied at one after two.
Behind even more incredible goaltending, the Hurricanes did everything they could to get the go-ahead goal for their netminder. Eventually, they did. Capitalizing on Simon Holmstrom being hobbled by an Alexander Nikishin shot, Joel Nystrom got the puck to Mark Jankowski, who sniped it past Rittich. Bussi shut the door down the stretch to finish the regular season with a 2-1 win.
The Hurricanes season-ending road trip was phenomenal
The Carolina Hurricanes started resting players during the Ottawa game before this season-ending journey. However, things really ramped up against Chicago, and it continued through tonight's game, with several key players sitting out in each game. However, they closed the season with three wins and seven points over the last four games.
Without a ton of consistency with who would be in the lineup on a nightly basis, it would've been easy for them to stumble down the stretch. Instead, they found ways to win games and earn points, checking every remaining box they could to get over the finish line with the second-best record in the league. There's a lot to be said for that.
A few Wolves made their cases to be full-time NHLers next season
There was a ton of excitement for tonight's NHL debuts, and both Felix Unger Sorum and Ronan Seeley played very well. Along with several other Wolves getting consistent time with the team as starters rested, these last few games have been a great showcase for players who could be ready to make the jump next season.
Both Charles Alexis Legault and Joel Nystrom saw extended time with the team after injuries ravaged the group. Bradly Nadeau and Felix Unger Sorum appear equipped to be wingers who can contribute with the Canes right now. Several others who didn't get the call during this trip are in the same boat. The future is looking as bright as ever.
Additional Thoughts
Last night, I was certain that Frederik Andersen would draw the assignment for Game 1. Brandon Bussi played well in Philadelphia, but he took it to another level during this surprise start on Long Island. He stopped 28 shots, including a few truly dazzling stops in all three periods. He'll finish his rookie season with 31 wins, which will be enough to finish in the Top 10 in the league.
This win brings the end of another excellent regular season for the Hurricanes. This was their 53rd win, the second most in franchise history. Their 113 points are tied for the second most. The Canes have done so well through 82 games. Now, they have to reset and start it all over again. Will this finally be the year?
Up Next: The regular season has finished. After six months of a grueling 82-game season, the Carolina Hurricanes turn their sights towards the postseason. We're unsure of when Game 1 will be, but we know it'll be at the Lenovo Center against the Ottawa Senators after the Bruins secured the top Wild Card spot tonight as well. A new season is upon us. It's time for the intensity to reach an 11.
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