Derek Stepan tallied a goal and an assist and Andrei Svechnikov contributed two assists as the visiting Carolina Hurricanes rallied for a 4-3 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night, stretching their season-opening winning streak to nine games.
After falling behind 3-1 with 11:36 remaining in the second period, the Hurricanes responded with three unanswered goals. Martin Necas netted the game-winner for Carolina at 3:26 of the third period, sneaking one past Chicago goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who allowed the puck to trickle out of his control.
Carolina killed three penalties after the go-ahead goal, including a four-minute high-sticking double-minor against Ethan Bear with 5:10 to go. Chicago was limited to an 0-for-5 showing on the power play overall. The Hurricanes outshot the Blackhawks 32-30. Frederik Anderson made 27 saves for Carolina en route to his eighth victory.
Alex DeBrincat scored twice and Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist for Chicago. Kane has collected six points over the past two contests after a four-game absence due to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.
DeBrincat opened the scoring just 1:35 into the game, gathering a saucer pass from Kane and splitting the Carolina defense before beating Anderson with a wrist shot from the slot.
The advantage lasted less than five minutes, however, as Stepan scored moments after a Hurricanes faceoff win in their offensive zone.
Kane and DeBrincat scored in a span of 5:35 early in the second period to push the Blackhawks’ advantage to 3-1. The Hurricanes trimmed the deficit to one goal at 12:50 on rookie Seth Jarvis’ first career goal. Carolina knotted things at 3-all just 17 seconds into the third period as Jesper Fast surged through the middle to beat Fleury following a Chicago turnover.
The hottest start to a season in Hurricanes franchise history included a 6-3 home victory against the Blackhawks on Friday.
Carolina grabbed a 4-2 lead after the opening period as Chicago struggled to mount a counterattack without Kane in the lineup.
Chicago is set to visit Central Division rival Winnipeg on Friday before opening a three-game homestand Sunday.
The Hurricanes are slated to continue a three-game road trip Saturday as they visit Florida.
–Field Level Media