Then, under four minutes later, the Canes lead moved to 2-0 courtesy of Jordan Staal. Following an offensive zone draw, some pressure from Jesper Fast forced a Ducks defender to play the puck right to Nino Niederreiter behind the goal line, where he'd then set up Carolina's captain for his ninth goal since the All-Star break.
Anaheim was able to respond and get on the board themselves just 1:05 after Staal's first, but the scoring flurry continued within three minutes of the visitor's first tally of the evening.
Some more offensive zone pressure from Carolina, this time by Jordan Martinook, forced yet another defending end turnover out of the Ducks and moments later #48 was rewarded for his havoc. The puck quickly made its way from the wall to the slot by way of Svechnikov and Max Domi, then being left on the blocker-side pad of Gibson for an easy tap-in for Martinook's fourth of the year.
Before the Canes could take their 3-1 advantage into the second period though the Ducks were able to get back within one once again, this time through a highlight-reel goal from Troy Terry. As a rebound sat loose in front of Frederik Andersen, Terry dove and with one hand on his stick put it back home.
Eventually, the horn sounded to bring the entertaining first stanza to a close and when the teams came back to the ice for the second period it was the physicality that took the place of the scoring.
A thunderous hit from Svechnikov on Kevin Shattenkirk upset the Ducks and on the following faceoff Shattenkirk attempted to line up Svechnikov, but the Canes young forward was just able to avoid the contact. The two exchanged more words and Anaheim captain Ryan Getzlaf then came over to try and drop the gloves with Svechnikov. #37 declined and then as play went the other way, Svechnikov was jumped by several Ducks, bringing all ten skaters on the ice together.
The result was five skaters heading to the penalty boxes and the intensity of the game reaching a new level.
So after five goals in the first period, there was no scoring in the second, but when the third period got going, the Canes picked up right where they left off with their offense. Gibson did what he could to keep his team in the contest, but eventually, Staal put back a rebound for his second of the night to give Carolina some insurance.
