DALLAS — Jesperi Kotkaniemi was the standout player for the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night, scoring both of the team’s goals in a 2-1 victory against the Dallas Stars. His second goal came just 24 seconds after the Stars had tied the game in the third period, demonstrating his ability to respond quickly under pressure. The shot by Sean Walker deflected off Kotkaniemi, positioning him perfectly to find the net near the crease.
Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov was instrumental in the win, recording 22 saves throughout the game. Carolina has shown remarkable form, completing a road back-to-back with this victory, having edged out the Chicago Blackhawks in an exciting 4-3 overtime match the previous day.
For the Stars, Thomas Harley found the back of the net to draw the game level, while goalie Jake Oettinger managed to stop 17 shots. Unfortunately for Dallas, the team has encountered challenges as this loss marked the fourth defeat in six games following a lengthy seven-game winning streak.
Kotkaniemi’s performance marked his first multi-goal game since May 5, 2023, during the Stanley Cup Playoffs against New Jersey. Additionally, he managed to score in consecutive games for the first time this season, having previously endured a nine-game scoreless stretch. His recent resurgence continues as he also scored during Monday’s comeback against the Blackhawks, helping the team recover from an early 2-0 deficit.
Another standout for Carolina was Martin Necas, who recorded two assists in the game, bringing his season totals to 54 points across 48 matches. This signals an upward trend from his previous season, where he accumulated 53 points in 77 games.
Observations from the game include Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour reaching a milestone of coaching for 500 games, exclusively with Carolina since 2018. Under his guidance, the Hurricanes have achieved the second-best winning percentage in the NHL.
In roster news, Roope Hintz made his return to the Stars lineup after recovering from an upper-body injury, which had sidelined him for three games. Highlighting his importance, he led Dallas with 19 goals prior to his absence and contributed three shots on goal in his return, centering the third line.
A crucial moment in the matchup occurred when Kochetkov skillfully denied a loose puck from crossing the goal line late in the first period. He also showcased his prowess during the third period, making four saves while killing off three penalties, securing the team’s lead.
A significant statistic emerged from the game: the Hurricanes have maintained an unbeaten record of 20 wins and 2 overtime losses when leading after two periods, whereas the Stars have yet to secure a victory (0-13-0) when trailing after the second intermission.
Looking ahead, the Hurricanes are set to host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, while the Stars will conclude their three-game homestand against the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday, marking their first break of two days since early January.
