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The Carolina Hurricanes snapped their three-game losing streak last night, picking up a win in the second game of their back-to-back set.
The Hurricanes had opened the back-to-back on Monday with a disappointing performance in a loss to the Ottawa Senators. Unlike the first two games of their losing skid where they were generating chances but couldn’t capitalize, the Hurricanes showed a lot less jump in Ottawa. They found themselves down by two after the first period and while they did battle back to tie it, a goal from Claude Giroux midway through the third period put Ottawa back ahead, and the Senators held on for a 3-2 win.
Last night though, the Hurricanes did respond in their final home game of the regular season. They came out flying right from the start and went up early off goals from Stefan Noesen and Jordan Martinook. The Red Wings did get one back in the second period but after Brent Burns responded to reinstate the two-goal lead, the Hurricanes continued to do a good job limiting shots and chances, holding Detroit to only 21 shots in the game. Jesperi Koktaniemi added an empty netter from there, as Carolina earned a 4-1 win to end their losing skid.
Stefan Noesen is proving he’s capable of playing pretty much anywhere in the lineup, as he continues what’s been a hot stretch. After slowing down near the end of February, he’s since managed nine points over his last 15 games. Meanwhile, Jesperi Kotkaniemi has three goals and six points over his last five games. The Hurricanes’ secondary scorers are essentially going to have to do more of the primary scoring if Carolina can find playoff success and it’s also good to see Carolina scoring more than three goals in a game for the first time in a few weeks, even if the fourth goal came off an empty netter.
With the win, the Hurricanes stay a point up on the New Jersey Devils for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division. With each team at a game remaining and New Jersey’s last game coming against the Washington Capitals tomorrow, the Hurricanes probably need a win against the Florida Panthers in their final game. If New Jersey wins and Carolina loses but picks up a point, the Devils would still take top spot as a result of a tiebreaker, with more regulation wins than the Hurricanes.
A win means the Hurricanes are destined to play the top wild card team, either the New York Islanders, or possibly the Panthers themselves. A loss, and the Hurricanes will likely find themselves matching up against the New York Rangers, who have a single regulation loss over their last 10 games.
Carolina’s all-important final regular season game comes tomorrow night in Florida.
In other news, the Hurricanes have also signed goaltender Yaniv Perets to a two-year entry-level contract, beginning next season. The 23-year-old is fresh off winning an NCAA title with Quinnipiac University.
Perets is a really interesting addition for the Hurricanes’ goaltending depth. He posted an excellent .931 save percentage through 41 games this season, and that came after posting a .939 save percentage in 31 games during the 2021-22 year. With Pyotr Kochetkov expected to make a full-time jump to the NHL next year, we’ll see what Perets can do in the AHL.
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OTHER ARTICLES FROM APRIL
Hurricanes sweep weekend back-to-back, closing in on Metro Division title
Hurricanes blow lead against Senators, rebound for overtime win
Hurricanes shut out by Predators as lack of scoring remains an issue
Hurricanes lose to Sabres, unable to build momentum down the stretch 
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