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The Carolina Hurricanes picked up a big win in the second half of their back-to-back last night, beating the Edmonton Oilers 7-2 at home.
Derek Stepan was a scratch for the first time this season, as Paul Stastny came back into the lineup and Jack Drury kept his spot as well. Calvin de Haan also came back into the lineup, in place of Dylan Coghlan.
It was an entertaining first half of the period, with some great chances early on, despite neither team capitalizing. Edmonton then had a penalty shot (on a questionable call) but Dylan Holloway was stopped by Kochetkov. The action continued and in the final minute, after Brett Pesce saved what would’ve been a sure goal for Connor McDavid, the Hurricanes went down the other way and Andrei Svechikov scored with only 20 seconds to go, giving Carolina the lead through the first period.
Carolina then capitalized on a power play only six minutes into the second frame, as Martin Necas delayed and opened a lane to find Brent Burns, who one-timed a shot past Jack Campbell to make it 2-0. Under two minutes later though, Zach Hyman converted on a power play for the Oilers which cut the lead to one. However, Andrei Svechnikov restored the two-goal lead only a few minutes later, ripping a shot off Campbell’s glove and in. Then just before the end of the frame, Jordan Staal took a pass and managed to backhand it past Campbell in-close in the dying seconds, making it a 4-1 lead through 40 minutes.
The Oilers did get back within two goals in the third period, off a great goal from Connor McDavid. However, Carolina extended the lead back to three goals later in the frame, with Jordan Martinook scoring a ridiculous goal, whacking at the puck, then swinging a second time and connecting in mid air, to put it over Campbell and in.
The Hurricanes weren’t done there as only about 1:30 later, Andrei Svechnikov kept whacking at a rebound in front, finally getting it over Campbell’s pad to make it a four-goal lead and complete a hat trick. Then with about two minutes to go, Campbell completely misplayed the puck right to Jesper Fast, who put it right back into the open net, securing a 7-2 win.
It was great to see the Hurricanes score as many goals as they did, after a couple tough games where they couldn’t convert on chances. The game also marked the second straight matchup against the Oilers in which Svechnikov has scored a hat trick against them, which is a pretty wild feat.
Even despite giving up a goal, it was also impressive how well the Hurricanes were able to shut down the Oilers in third period. They gave up only six shots in the frame and did a great job protecting the lead (and then obviously adding to it later on).
The one negative in the win was Teuvo Teravainen leaving the game with an upper-body injury. He didn’t return and isn't travelling with the Hurricanes on their road trip.
While Pyotr Kochetkov only faced 22 shots, he played really well for Carolina and notably made a great sprawling save on Zach Hyman’s breakaway. With both Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta on expiring contracts, each game Kochetkov plays is a bit of a tryout to see if he’ll be ready for a full-time NHL role next season.
Jack Drury also continues to look good on both sides of the puck. He’s arguably ready for a full-time NHL role right now, but the Hurricanes already have a bit of a logjam up front.
The Hurricanes are back in action tomorrow, when they face the Colorado Avalanche.
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OTHER ARTICLES FROM NOVEMBER
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Hurricanes fire 55 shots on goal, squeeze past Lightning in shootout
Sebastian Aho scores hat trick, Canes beat Sabres for fourth straight win
Hurricanes’ four-game winning streak ends with loss to Maple Leafs
Martin Necas on his way to becoming a star with Hurricanes
Hurricanes shut out by Panthers for second straight loss 
Carolina Hurricanes Blogger • 
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