Recap: Canes Defense Leads Offense Past Columbus In Andersen's Return

COLUMBUS, OH. -The Carolina Hurricanes snapped a four-game skid Thursday, taking a 6-2 victory from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Story

For the first time in 67 days, the Canes turned to Frederik Andersen in net for the contest, making his first start since suffering a lower-body injury in early November.
After practicing with the team for the last month, it took just 2:34 for him to be able to play with a lead.
Following an offensive zone faceoff, Teuvo Teravainen beat a Blue Jacket to the puck along the wall, setting up Brett Pesce for a perfectly placed shot from the point.

Pesce's third goal of the season and first of the night would set the tone for what would be a big evening for the Carolina blue line.
39 seconds beyond the midway point of the frame, another offensive zone faceoff allowed the Canes to go up two. Sebastian Aho won the draw, allowing Brent Burns to kickstart a set play, resulting in the team's first two-goal lead of the night.
Columbus would get one back before the end of the first period, but it would turn out to be one of only two shots that would get by Andersen in the contest.
Taking a 2-1 advantage into the second, Jalen Chatfield then gave the visitors their two-goal cushion back with the team's third shorthanded tally in five periods of play.

In the third, the defense would continue humming, as Pesce would find twine again for his first career two-goal game. Jaccob Slavin would follow with a heavy slap shot to beat Joonas Korpisalo, and Seth Jarvis proved that Carolina's forwards were able to score too, rounding out the offense at six goals on the night.
Johnny Gaudreau would sneak home a garbage time goal for Columbus, but the final horn would eventually sound, giving the Canes a 6-2 victory at Nationwide Arena.

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They Said It

Brett Pescein the moments following the final horn...
"We got some bounces today. It's good to see our group, all six jumping in the rush and creating offense. Obviously our coaching staff lets us do what we want... Kudos to them. It was a good effort and it's one that I'll remember for a while, for sure."
Rod Brind'Amouron what the difference was tonight, versus the prior four games where his team didn't get the result...
"Probably just that the puck went in the net a little more frequently. The game was pretty similar to all the ones that we've played here [lately]. I thought Freddie was good. He made a couple nice saves that kept us going in the right direction. We had big plays by our defense, jumping in the rush, and scoring some big goals. Overall, I thought it was a fairly similar game."
Brind'Amour,continuing on winning his 200th game as an NHL head coach...
"It means we've got a great group. It's the same as what we've talked about with [coaching the Metropolitan Division at the All-Star Game]. That's about the group. I'm pretty fortunate. We've got a great group to work with and a great bunch of guys in there that come to play every night."

Bonus Notes

What's Next?

The Canes will return to Raleigh immediately post-game. They are scheduled to practice on Friday before hosting the Penguins and Canucks at PNC Arena on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
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