Hurricanes stay undefeated, push Coyotes losing streak to nine

RALEIGH, N.C. --The Carolina Hurricanes extended their season-opening winning streak to eight games with a 2-1 victory against the Arizona Coyotes, whose losing streak to open the season stretched to nine, at PNC Arena on Sunday.

Brett Pesce gave the Hurricanes a 2-1 lead with 2:27 remaining in the third period with a one-timer from the point on the power play. Seth Jarvis, who was making his NHL debut, had the secondary assist on the play.
"This one felt good, for sure," Pesce said. "Especially right now, we're oozing confidence. We believe we can win every game we're in. That's a big factor."
Martin Necas had a goal and an assist, and Frederik Andersen made 22 saves for the Hurricanes.
"We stuck with it. I was proud of our group," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "It could have easily been a frustrating game, to have so many close ones and not connect. But we just kept playing and we got the two points."

Christian Fischer scored, and Karel Vejmelka made 37 saves for the Coyotes (0-8-1).
"They deserve more. They really earned the right to get a point tonight at least. It's too bad," Arizona coach Andre Tourigny said. "They fight hard, they work as hard as we can hope and dream, but right now, we have nothing to show for it. It's too bad."
Fischer gave Arizona a 1-0 lead at 5:44 of the first period, gathering the loose puck in the corner before cutting across the crease and scoring five-hole on Andersen with his backhand.
"A lot of our offense is down low," Fischer said. "Win a battle, I saw an opening, take it to the net. We're struggling to score right now. We know what we have to do. It's on us. We just have to find a way."

Necas scored his first of the season to tie it 1-1 at 16:57 of the second period. He took a pass from Tony DeAngelo and beat Vejmelka with a one-timer that deflected in off Fischer.
"I haven't scored my first seven games, but we are still winning," Necas said. "Get it back in my hands, I know I can score. But we need one little bounce and it starts rolling. Good to get that one."
Jarvis nearly scored six seconds prior to Necas tying it. He got to a rebound in the crease after Vejmelka couldn't control Derek Stepan's initial shot, but his attempt toward the open net hit off the leg of Dmitrij Jaskin.
"That play in the second period was so close," Jarvis said with a laugh. "It's nice that [Brind'Amour] has trust in me to go out there and make a play happen."
Carolina outshot Arizona 39-23, including 12-3 in the third period.
"[Vejmelka] kept us in it the whole game. A lot of credit goes to him," Fischer said. "Guys worked their butts off. It [stinks]. It's frustrating. You just try not to let it linger on."
NOTES:The Coyotes were 0-for-3 on the power play and are 0-for-15 in their past six games (one shorthanded goal allowed). ... Jarvis, who was selected with the No. 13 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, played 10:01. … Carolina forward Jordan Staal was 13-for-16 (81 percent) on face-offs. … Hurricanes forwards Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho each had his season-opening point streak end at seven games. … Necas and Vejmelka were teammates with HC Kometa Brno in the Czech Extraliga from 2016-2018.