RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes secured a 2-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Friday night, with Jordan Staal contributing significantly to the team’s success through a goal and an assist. Dustin Tokarski achieved his first shutout since 2022, making 15 saves and reaching his third career shutout. Since joining the Hurricanes last month, he has improved his record to 4-1-0.
Staal, the captain of the Hurricanes, has shown impressive scoring ability recently, netting five goals in the last three games. His highlight was a hat trick in Thursday’s contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs, while he had only scored three goals in the season’s first 40 games. Meanwhile, for the Canucks, Thatcher Demko managed to stop 18 shots but faced a struggle as the team lost their fourth consecutive game, failing to score in two of those matches.
The Canucks saw three power-play opportunities, including two in the final period, yet they could not capitalize. Their recent performance shows only two successful conversions out of their last 15 power-play chances. Compounding these difficulties was their inability to generate offense, registering just 15 shots on goal, tying their season low.
For the Hurricanes, Tokarski’s journey has involved significant time in the minors over a 15-year career. The 35-year-old was signed on December 2 as a low-risk move to provide assistance in goal during a time when starting goalie Freddie Andersen has been sidelined with a knee injury since November 21. His presence has proven invaluable for Carolina during this challenging stretch.
A pivotal moment in the match occurred early in the second period when Andrei Svechnikov broke the ice by scoring his 14th goal. The young forward showcased his skill, maneuvering past two defenders before executing a shot from an unconventional angle that found the back of the net, extending the Hurricanes’ lead to 2-0.
A notable statistic from the game reflects the Hurricanes’ dominance when leading after two periods; they remain undefeated this season with a record of 19-0-2 under such circumstances. In contrast, the Canucks have yet to secure a victory when trailing after two periods, holding a record of 0-11-3 in those situations.
Looking ahead, the Canucks will face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, while the Hurricanes will host the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.
