After seeing their three-game win streak dissolve on Sunday, the Carolina Hurricanes hoped the third time would be the charm to clinch the Metropolitan Division. The Canes entered the night needing just one point to get the job done, welcoming the Boston Bruins to town for the final home game of the regular season.
Against the physical Bruins, the Hurricanes kept Nicolas Deslauriers in the lineup for a second straight game, while Eric Robinson sat out. Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook also returned after not playing on Sunday. Brandon Bussi was in the net. The Bruins countered with Jeremy Swayman, who has been exceptional of late for the East's top Wild Card team.
Defense was a foreign concept in the opening 20 minutes. Hampus Lindholm got it started after Bussi couldn't get his stick on a dump-in. Andrei Svechnikov responded with his 30th goal, with a little help from a Bruins defender. K'Andre Miller put the Canes ahead by snapping one home off the draw, but David Pastrnak found Morgan Geekie twice in the period to give Boston a 3-2 lead after 20.
The Canes' response in the second was swift. Three goals in 3:16 chased Swayman. Logan Stankoven tied it on the power play by willing a one-timer home. William Carrier broke a long drought under Swayman's glove. Taylor Hall followed his rebound and slid it through to bring the change in the net. Geekie redirected a shot late to finish his hat trick, pulling Boston within one after two periods.
The only goal during the final 20 minutes came off the stick of Pavel Zacha. Charlie McAvoy, who got away with what should've been a double-minor for high-sticking just moments earlier, set him up at the top of the crease to tie it. The Canes endured a late penalty to get the game to overtime, ensuring that they would finish atop the division.
In overtime, the captain won the draw, and the Bruins never touched the puck. It took some work to get a look, but Sebastian Aho found a streaking Jaccob Slavin at the backdoor for a tap-in and the game-winner to earn the second point. They end their home slate this regular season with their 50th win in a wild 6-5 victory.
The second period turned the game around for both teams
Down by a goal after the opening frame, the Canes needed a big response in the second. The power play, as it has lately, brought them back into the fight. From there, the snowball kept getting bigger. It was all about the hard work on the next two goals, sending Jeremy Swayman into the locker room. However, that decision proved to be very fruitful for the Bruins.
Once Joonas Korpisalo came into the game, he was absolutely phenomenal. The Canes really could've won this game in regulation if not for at least four jaw-dropping stops in the third period by the Bruins' backup. It was going to take something perfect to beat him, and that's what the Canes got in overtime to secure two more points and the win.
The Carolina Hurricanes are the Metropolitan Division Champions
With the Pittsburgh Penguins not in action tonight, there were no other teams to influence the fate of the division than the two on the ice in Raleigh. The Canes took the long way to get the job done, but they wouldn't be denied any longer. With Brandon Bussi not playing a very good game, the offense had to be sharp, and they were against the Bruins.
12 Hurricanes found the scoresheet tonight, with six different goal scorers. Andrei Svechnikov tied career highs with his 30th goal and 69th point. Jackson Blake surpassed 50 points with two helpers. Sean Walker had two assists to give him his first 20-assist season. Alexander Nikishin stands alone for rookie defensemen with his 31st point. This was just the tip of the iceberg in another team win.
Additional Thoughts
Of course, it couldn't be all good news for the Hurricanes tonight. Jalen Chatfield exited the game with a lower-body injury in the third period and didn't return. Rod Brind'Amour didn't have an update on the defenseman after the game, leaving us with a question mark that likely won't be answered until Thursday before the Chicago game.
Now that the division is locked up, there's one more goal for the team to hit. With the Lightning losing to Buffalo last night and Ottawa tonight, the Canes hold a four-point lead over Tampa, Buffalo, and Montreal for first in the Eastern Conference. All four teams have four games left this season, so the Canes are in a good spot to accomplish something they have never done in franchise history.
Up Next: The only thing separating the Carolina Hurricanes from the playoffs is a four-game road trip, their second such trip in the last three years. The trip begins on Thursday night in Chicago against the only opponent remaining that is not currently vying for a playoff spot. They'll head to Utah on Saturday before closing the season in Philadelphia on Monday and on Long Island on Tuesday.