By AIDAN JENSEN
After losing consecutive games during Christmas week, the Carolina Hurricanes were in major need of a victory.
Enter the Metropolitan Division-leading New Jersey Devils, who came to Raleigh for a Saturday night faceoff.
The Canes, a night after losing to New Jersey in Newark, dominated their divisional rivals with a 5-2 victory. To make the night even sweeter, Carolina head coach Rod Brind’Amour collected his 300th win.
Carolina (22-13-1, third in Metro) faced a 2-1, third period deficit after Devils (24-12-3, 51 points) winger Ondrej Palat scored his eighth goal of the season – just over a minute into the frame. The Canes then responded with four unanswered goals to decide the game.
Sebastian Aho tied things at two just 51 seconds after Palat’s goal: deflecting New Jersey’s clear attempt, taking a pass from Jack Roslovic after New Jersey’s defensive zone turnover, then sending a wrist shot between Jake Allen’s legs.
Jackson Blake, a 2021 NHL draftee, gave Carolina the lead for good on a power play goal halfway through the third. Blake positioned himself perfectly in front of Allen, redirecting a shot from the blue line into the net.
Roslovic then put the game out of reach with his team-leading 15th and 16th goals of the season. Roslovic’s 15th was a one-timer, pushing a pass from Sean Walker past Allen, then Roslovic scored an empty-netter for the Canes with 3:22 left in the game.
Carolina only has one winning streak in December, beating the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders on the 15th and 17th. The Canes can snag a second winning streak heading into the New Year, as they travel to Ohio for an 8 p.m. faceoff with the Blue Jackets.
Carolina will play six games in the first 10 days of 2025, presenting itself a golden chance to build some needed momentum.
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