The Big Three
Down a goal heading into the second period of Thursday's game, the
Hurricanes rolled out a loaded forward line
featuring Sebastian Aho flanked by Andrei Svechnikov and Teuvo Teravainen.
The trio combined for four goals - two each for Svechnikov and Aho - and three assists, igniting the Canes to tally four straight goals, including three in the second period.
"It certainly got us the win last night," Brind'Amour said on Friday. "You're putting your three best offensive guys together. We needed a little spark when we got behind there. Obviously, they came to life."
PROJECTED LINEUP
Aho has tallied points in five straight games (5g, 3a) and goals in four straight. With a team-leading 29 goals, Aho ranks tied for seventh in the NHL in that category. He's scored 16 of his 29 goals on the road, ranking tied for second in the league. Aho is a goal away from matching his season career high set in 2018-19.
Svechnikov has totaled 50 points (22g, 28a) in 54 games this season, surpassing numbers in every statistical category from his rookie season. This season, th Canes are 25-8-0 when Svechnikov records a point and 6-12-3 when he is held off the scoresheet.
Rhythm and Reim
James Reimer posted 30 saves on Thursday to improve to 13-6-1 on the season. In his last five starts, Reimer is 4-0-1 with a 1.73 goals-against average, a .948 save percentage and one shutout. In his last 15 starts, dating back to mid-November, Reimer is 11-2-1 with a 2.24 goals-against average, a .928 save percentage and three shutouts.
The Last Meeting
Both returning from an extended All-Star Break, the Hurricanes and Golden Knights
last met just over a week ago in Raleigh
. Despite erasing a two-goal deficit in a late third period comeback, the Canes surrendered a late power-play goal to the Golden Knights and fell, 4-3.