6. Kochetkov does it all (12/22/24)
Madison Square Garden has, historically, been a place of nightmares for the Hurricanes. It looked like it would be again this season when Jimmy Vesey scored 17 seconds into the first period against Pyotr Kochetkov. That would be the last goal the Hurricanes allowed to the Rangers in their barn this season. Instead, this game turned into The Pyotr Kochetkov Show.
Kochetkov was perfect the rest of the way, making some incredible stops to keep his group in the game. He also provided some offense, assisting on the game-winning goal late in the second period and the dagger into the empty net. Kochetkov became the second goalie in Whalers/Hurricanes history with a multi-point effort, guiding the Canes to a 3-1 victory over the Rangers.
5. Deadline debut dominance (3/9/25)
The Hurricanes were in the headlines a lot between January and March. Most of it pertained to a certain trade they made with Colorado and Chicago. When the dust settled following the trade deadline, Mikko Rantanen was gone. Logan Stankoven and Mark Jankowski arrived in his place. When the two new guys suited up for their first game against Winnipeg, they fit in beautifully.
Late in the first period, Jankowski introduced himself to the Caniacs by sniping a shot past Connor Hellebuyck, earning Scott Morrow his first NHL point in the process. Jankowski doubled up early in the second, winning a battle in the crease to increase the lead. It was Stankoven's turn in the third. His redirection on the power play made it 3-0, putting the game out of reach as they beat the Jets, 4-2.