Hurricanes Win Shootout Affair, Look Ahead to Anaheim

Winning a road contest, not to mention a nine round shootout, should give any team confidence, but Rod Brind’Amour was not pleased with Carolina’s performance on Saturday night.

Looking at the box score, there was certainly plenty to be happy about, but a glaring 27 minute stretch highlights Brind’Amour’s frustration.

Teuvo Teravainen’s second goal of the season gave the Hurricanes a 5-2 lead halfway through the second period, seemingly putting Carolina in full control.

Unfortunately, the Kings would erase that advantage, scoring three consecutive goals, including Anze Kopitar’s score with just 1:22 remaining to tie the contest at five apiece. Kopitar tallied two goals in the loss, guiding Los Angeles in the offensive zone.

After a scoreless overtime, Carolina found themselves on the verge of a loss before Sebastian Aho buried a wrist shot past Phoenix Copley to extend the shootout.

Trevor Moore beat Andersen in the fifth round of the shootout and Martin Necas responded with the game on the line.

Fortunately for the Hurricanes, the Kings would be shutout on the next four attempts, setting up Jordan Martinook to end the contest in the ninth round.

Martinook would do just that, using a backhand move to beat Copley and give Carolina their second win of the season.

There are no bad wins in hockey, but Carolina was certainly fortunate to escape with a win. Los Angeles outshot the Hurricanes 30 to 19 and drew eight total penalties on Carolina.

Sure, shot attempts don’t always equate to scores, but the Kings were successful on two of their seven power play opportunities and held the Hurricanes to the second lowest shots on goal under Rod Brind’Amour.

Despite playing what can be described as a sloppy game on Saturday, there have also been plenty of positives through two games this season.

Nine different Hurricanes have scored a goal and 14 have recorded a point.

Teuvo Teravainen, who by all accounts did not play up to his potential last season, has scored in both contests, putting him just 10 goals away from tying last season’s output.

Three of Carolina’s offseason additions in Michael Bunting, Tony DeAngelo, and Brendan Lemieux have each tallied a point, totaling two goals and three assists as a trio.

A quick turnaround awaits for the Hurricanes, as they return to the ice on Sunday to face-off against Anaheim.

The Ducks, who also will partake in a back-to-back, opened up the season on Saturday night, falling 4-1 to Vegas.

The Golden Knights outshot Anaheim 38 to 23 and found the bulk of their success on the power play. Two of their scores came on the man advantage, converting 33% of their power play opportunities.

Ducks’ netminder John Gibson stopped 34 of the 37 shots he faced and allowed just one goal at even-strength.

While Anaheim is still in the midst of a rebuild and projected to finish near the bottom of the Pacific Division, they have won the last two matchups against Carolina.

Puck drop is set for 8:30pm EST, as Antti Raanta is expected to start in net for the first time this season.