The Carolina Hurricanes scored four goals on their first nine shots and held on for a 5-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Friday.
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Andrej Nestrasil scored a pair of goals and Jordan Staal picked up a goal and two assists for the Hurricanes. He finished the night with 33 saves and was named the game’s first star.
Cam Ward admitted he was a little nervous getting back in net after missing six games with a concussion. “For myself, it’s the first game in a while”.
Giuseppe, Nestrasil and Staal made it 3-0 by 4:33 of the opening period. “I was a little bit anxious before (that)”.
C Jordan Staal collected a goal, his 12th, and set up two others. Ehlers’ assist extended his point streak to six games, with four goals and four assists. “We do have to learn how to play stronger with the big lead like that and find ways to choke teams out”.
Nestrasil added a second goal while Staal and Joakim Nordstrom each had a pair of helpers. “You’re down 4-0”, Maurice said philosophically.
“When you are at that moment and things are bad and you’re embarrassed by the way you’re playing, they handled it as best they could and did a hell of a job digging out of a hole”, he said.
Phillip Di Giuseppe opened the scoring 1:43 into the game on a goal assisted by Victor Rask. Jets rookie Connor Hellebuyck allowed three goals while facing only six shots before being replaced by Michael Hutchinson.
The Jets dropped a 5-3 decision to Carolina as Winnipeg wrapped up a six game homestand in which they posted a less than stellar record of 1 win and 5 losses. It turns into a just hang on mode unfortunately.
Alexander Burmistrov, Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler – with a goal at 13:48 of the third period – had Winnipeg fans switching from jeering to cheering for a huge comeback.
Justin Faulk also put back a rebound to make it 4-0, just 10:05 into the game and Cam Ward had barely looked at a shot yet.
The Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche meet late Saturday night at the Pepsi Center.
Next up for Carolina is a visit with the Canadiens on Super Bowl Sunday.
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