Canes Corner

Sebastian Aho scored twice and Shayne Gostisbehere's overtime power play goal helped the Canes get their first win of the season in a 3-2 win in Philadelphia.  Aho's first of the game came just 10 seconds into the 1st period as the Canes led for the first time this season.  His second came on a 3rd period power play that tied the game at 2-2.  Then he had one of the assists on the Gostisbehere game winner.  Pyotr Kochetkov made his first start since December 20 and made 16 saves in the win.  Carolina looked very much like themselves for the first time, out-shooting the Flyers 40-18.

The Hurricanes dropped their second straight home game to start the season, losing 5-2 to the Capitals as Brandon Bussi struggled in his second start of the year.  Bussi, who was outstanding in the opener even though he allowed a very saveable overtime goal in the 1-0 loss to Florida, allowed 5 goals on 27 shots to the Caps.  Unfortunately, three of them should have been stopped.  The Canes weren't great by any means, but the eventual 4-0 deficit early in the 2nd period was too much to overcome.  Sebastian Aho and Logan Stankoven scored for the Canes who failed to win either of their first two games for the first time in Rod Brind'Amour's coaching reign. Canes Corner is presented by the Aluminum Company of North Carolina. aluminumcompany.com

Gustav Forsling's goal, just 4.3 seconds from the end of the overtime, beat Brandon Bussi and the Hurricanes, 1-0, in Carolina's opening game.  Brandon Bussi stopped 19 shots, but couldn't get Forsling's drive from just inside the blue line was the difference.  The Canes were 0 for 6 on the power play, though they did kill all seven of the Panthers' tries with the man advantage, so the special teams were a wash.  Prior to the game the Hurricanes raised their Stanley Cup championship banner to a rowsing ovation from the sellout crowd.

Brandon Bussi made 22 saves and six different Hurricanes players scored as the Canes whipped the Predators, 6-0, to close the preseason on a 3-game winning streak.  Jackson Blake, Jordan Martinook, Nikolaj Ehlers, Logan Stankoven, Mark Jankowski and Andrei Svechnikov each scored in the win.  The Canes went 3 out of 4 on the power play and shut Nashville down while shorthanded as the penalty kill was a perfect 5 for 5.   Felix Unger-Sorum and Charles-Alexis Legault each made their cases for available roster spots and Bussi was outstanding as he gets ready for his opening night start on Tuesday.

The Hurricanes played their first game in Greensboro in 27 years and it did not disappoint as they rallied with 5 unanswered goals to beat the Predators, 6-5. Logan Stankoven scored twice, including the goal that tied the game at 5-5.  Then, with 2.6 seconds remainins, Felix Unger-Sorum took a feed from Bradly Nadeau and wristed home the winner.  The second round pick in 2023, who also had the primary assist on Stankoven's game-tying goal, gets his second game-winning goal in two games as it was his shootout goal that finished off the Panthers on Tuesday night.  Taylor Hall had 3 assists and Jackson Blake added a helper on the second Stankoven goal as that trio continues their assault on the scoresheet.  They combined for 54 points in the 19 playoff games en route to the Stanley Cup.   Jesperi Kotkaniemi had a goal and an assist in the game, Juha Jaaska and Jusso Valimaki each added goals as well.  Only downer was Pyotr Kochetkov allowed 5 goals for the second straight game, though he did rally to play well in the 3rd period.   Canes will likely dress their entire NHL lineup on Saturday in Nashville.