Hurricanes Edge Wild with 4-3 Victory
Jackson Blake and Sean Walker each contributed a goal and an assist as the Carolina Hurricanes narrowly defeated the Minnesota Wild 4-3 at the Lenovo Center on Thursday. Andrei Svechnikov and Nikolaj Ehlers also scored for Carolina, while Frederik Andersen stopped 21 shots to secure the win. The Hurricanes improved to 9-4-0, winning two straight and three of their last four games.
“Blake is probably the one who needs the most credit for tonight,” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “The one goal was all him, and the other was just a great pass.”
Boldy’s Two Goals Keep Wild Competitive
Matt Boldy scored twice for the Wild, who had won their previous two games. Filip Gustavsson made 23 saves in the loss. Minnesota coach John Hynes noted the pressure from Carolina, stating,
“They’re a high-pressure team. There were times I thought we handled it well, and there were times when there was another good team on the ice, too. We got some looks in different segments of the game.”
Early Lead and Intense 4-on-4 Action
- Boldy opened the scoring at 5:34 of the first period, giving Minnesota a 1-0 lead.
- On a Carolina rush, Mark Jankowski lifted Kirill Kaprizov’s stick near the net, leaving a loose puck that Boldy tapped in.
- The teams combined for three goals in just 52 seconds during a rapid 4-on-4 exchange.
Key Performances
- Jackson Blake’s goal and assist were pivotal for Carolina.
- Sean Walker also recorded a goal and an assist.
- Andersen’s 21 saves ensured Carolina’s victory.
- Boldy’s two goals marked a milestone as his 300th NHL game.
Author’s summary: The Hurricanes edged the Wild 4-3 behind Blake’s standout performance and Andersen’s solid goaltending, while Boldy’s two goals kept Minnesota in a heated contest.