RALEIGH, N.C. — In a triumphant return to the NHL, Dustin Tokarski made an impressive 27 saves in his first game back in nearly 22 months, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 4-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday.

The 35-year-old Tokarski made an earlier appearance in five games this season for Chicago in the American Hockey League (AHL) before signing with Carolina, marking his sixth team in the NHL.
Jordan Martinook contributed significantly with a goal and an assist, while his teammates Sebastian Aho, William Carrier, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi also found the back of the net. In addition, Jordan Staal provided two assists, helping the Hurricanes secure their third win in their last eight games.
For Columbus, Dmitri Voronkov was the lone scorer, while goaltender Elvis Merzlikins kept busy, making 24 saves throughout the match. Unfortunately for the Blue Jackets, this loss marked their fourth consecutive defeat.
Key takeaways from the matchup include Columbus’s struggling road performance, now at 4-10-2, and Carolina’s notable victory, which was their first win by more than two goals since November 20.
A crucial moment in the game came early when the Hurricanes successfully killed off three penalties within the first 14 minutes of play. During this stretch, Tokarski recorded four essential saves, demonstrating his sharp instincts and readiness.
In terms of overall statistics, Tokarski holds a record of 24-34-12 across 81 games played for various NHL teams, including Tampa Bay, Montreal, Anaheim, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and now Carolina.
Looking ahead, both teams are scheduled to return to the ice on Tuesday night. The Blue Jackets aim to bounce back against Tampa Bay, while the Hurricanes will conclude their four-game homestand with a matchup against the New York Islanders.