The holidays are over, meaning the chase is back on for a little over a month before the next stoppage. The Carolina Hurricanes and the Detroit Red Wings entered Saturday's contest moving in opposite directions. The Wings have gotten hot. The Canes have cooled down, losing three straight before Christmas, including an ugly 5-2 loss to the Panthers on Tuesday in Raleigh.
Jordan Martinook and William Carrier returned to the lineup after three- and one-game absences, respectively. Brandon Bussi took the crease for the Canes for the first time in a little over a week, trying to get a new winning streak started. John Gibson led the Red Wings out, making his first appearance against the Canes since Detroit acquired him this offseason.
The Hurricanes did just about everything right in the first period, except score. The fourth line was especially dangerous, with Mark Jankowski hitting the crossbar and missing an open net. The one mistake they made ended up in their net. Alexander Nikishin couldn't handle a blistering pass from Sean Walker. JT Compher got it and found Michael Rasmussen, who scored five-hole to break the ice.
The second period saw the Canes finally get rewarded for their hard work. Jackson Blake knotted it after redirecting Shayne Gostisbehere's shot. Just 75 seconds later. Eric Robinson and Sebastian Aho almost simultaneously got one through. Robinson was credited with the goal, giving him goals in three straight. Gostisbehere closed the period by sniping it top shelf to push the lead to two.
Things got a little tense early in the third period after Andrew Copp scored on the power play, but things wouldn't get nearly as frantic. All it took was a blown tire by Dylan Larkin. Andrei Svechnikov's pressure forced him to lose an edge before he snapped it past Gibson to restore the two-goal lead. Jordan Martinook finished it with an empty-net goal for the 100th of his career in a 5-2 victory.
The Hurricanes stuck with it after a frustrating first period
John Gibson was simply sensational in the first period. The Canes should've scored at least three times on one shift alone. Some of it was the iron. The rest of it was the Detroit netminder being elite. He hadn't lost a game in December, entering with wins in eight straight contests. He showed exactly why in the opening period by stopping 15 shots while the Wings scored the only goal.
That didn't deter Carolina in the second period. The Canes kept coming to open the second period, and they were rewarded handsomely. The theme was hard work in front of the net. Jackson Blake tipped one in front of Gibson. The trio of forwards converged to get the second one 75 seconds later. Jordan Martinook didn't get a point, but he provided the screen on the third goal.
After three straight losses, they stuck to their game in the third
If you were concerned about the Hurricanes leading the game by two goals heading into the third period, you had every right to be. This group has cracked under pressure. In a battle between two of the conference's best teams, it wouldn't be any easier. The early goal to cut into the lead started to bring bad memories to the forefront.
Instead of completely crumbling, the Canes met the moment. They allowed a bad chance immediately after, but after that, things were pretty smooth. Their hard work paid off when they caught a break on Andrei Svechnikov's goal. The Canes withstood a late penalty and the extra attacker situations to hold firm. It had to be a major relief for the group because it was for the fans.
Additional Thoughts
Andrei Svechnikov and Shayne Gostisbehere came up with big games tonight. Both recorded a goal and two assists. Gostisbehere was on the ice for four of the five goals, while Svechnikov and Jalen Chatfield each finished the night +3. Eric Robinson also extended his point streak to four games and his goal streak to three.
The story of Brandon Bussi continues. After each of Detroit's goals tonight, Bussi was forced into a big-save situation. In the first, it was a blocker stop on Nate Danielson. In the third, it was a chest stop on Michael Rasmussen. The moment continues to be completely manageable for him, earning his 12th win in 14 starts.
I won't say having William Carrier and Jordan Martinook back in the lineup would've made the difference against Florida, but having them back in the lineup makes a big difference. Carrier had an assist and a game-high five hits, including a finish on Moritz Seider that sent him into the Canes' bench. Martinook had three hits and finished the night with a milestone goal.
Up Next: To close 2025, the Carolina Hurricanes will play a back-to-back against a pair of division opponents. They'll start by hosting the New York Rangers on Monday night. Then, they'll make the trip to Pittsburgh to face the Penguins for the first time this season on Tuesday. Their first contest of 2026 will be on New Year's Day at the Lenovo Center against the Montreal Canadiens.