Hurricanes use diverse attack to glide past Penguins

Field Level Media|published: Fri 18th October, 22:07 2024

Oct 18, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin (74) reaches for the puck against Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Martin Necas had a goal and an assist as the Carolina Hurricanes spread out the scoring in a 4-1 victory over the host Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night.

Jackson Blake, Shayne Gostisbehere and Jack Roslovic also scored for the Hurricanes in their first road game of the season. Carolina's first scheduled away contest at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Oct. 12 was postponed due to Hurricane Milton. Jesperi Kotkaniemi had two assists and Frederik Andersen made 26 saves for his first win this season.

Drew O'Connor scored for the Penguins, while goalie Joel Blomqvist stopped 35 shots. Pittsburgh had 26 shots on goal, including 15 during its scoreless third period, and had its two-game win streak snapped.

The Hurricanes, who were in the opener of a six-game road stretch, scored twice on power plays. They had the NHL's best road power-play percentage last season (30.8 percent).

O'Connor's third goal of the season opened the scoring 12:20 into the game, but the Penguins didn't maintain the momentum.

Just 64 seconds later, Blake, who has now scored in two of his first three career games, took Eric Robinson's pass and converted from near the right circle. It was Robinson's first point with Carolina after spending last season with the Buffalo Sabres and the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Necas scored his first of the season on a second-period power play, slapping a shot from the left circle after a pass from Seth Jarvis. Gostisberhere struck again on the power play just over 10 minutes later, giving him a goal in two straight games.

Roslovic notched his first goal with the Hurricanes 11 minutes into the third period. It came off a Pittsburgh turnover in the neutral zone, with Carolina quick to go the other way and convert.

The Hurricanes killed three third-period penalties. Pittsburgh went with an extra skater for a stretch with more than four minutes to play and didn't convert. The Penguins have scored six goals in all three of their wins this season.

--Field Level Media

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