Kochetkov makes 22 saves, Hurricanes blank Lightning

TAMPA -- Pyotr Kochetkov made 22 saves for the Carolina Hurricanes in a 4-0 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on Saturday.

The shutout was Kochetkov’s first of the season and fifth in the NHL.

"He was solid," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "He looked like nothing was going to get by him tonight."

Sebastian Aho and Brent Burns each had a goal and an assist, and Teuvo Teravainen scored for the Hurricanes (9-6-0), who have won six of their past eight games (6-2-0) but were coming off a 5-2 loss at the Florida Panthers on Friday.

"It’s what we were looking for right from the start of the game," Brind'Amour said. "We got what we deserved tonight. I think we were on it and ready to go from the start of the game."

Jonas Johansson made 28 saves for the Lightning (6-5-4), who have lost two straight and are 1-2-1 in their past four.

"Last two times we've played these guys we shut these guys out, so there's a little give and take," Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said. "For us, though, to come home for just two home games and go back on the road, we've got to get these points. So, it's disappointing to come out of these two games without points."

The Lightning were without forward Nikita Kucherov, who was a late scratch because of an illness. Kucherov entered the game second in the NHL with 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 14 games. 

"He's one of the best, if not the best, especially on the power play," Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos said. "We weren't prepared for that coming in. It was kind of a last-second thing. Guys stepped up and did their best, but we couldn't get it done. Can't replace a guy like ‘Kuch.’"

Teravainen gave Carolina a 1-0 lead at 3:10 of the first period with a power-play goal, scoring on a one-timer from the top of the right circle off a pass from Aho.

Aho then made it 2-0 at 4:32 with a shot from the left circle off a pass from Andrei Svechnikov.

"At the end of the day, they were desperate and got an early power-play goal," Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman said. "We know exactly what they are going to bring, and they were on it. When we got settled on the power play, I thought we had some good chances, but this wasn't our night."

Burns extended it to 3-0 at 11:20 of the third period when he chipped the puck past Johansson off a centering pass from Brady Skjei.

"To be doing what he’s doing, I don’t know if he’s 38 or 39, but he’s been doing it a long time," Skjei said of Burns, who is 38. "He takes care of his body, and he still obviously has a huge impact on the game and the team. It’s fun to sit by him in the locker room every day and be able to take things from him on a daily basis."

Stefan Noesen scored on a redirection at 17:54 for the 4-0 final.

"I love a good puck battle, and I think that sets up pretty good for the system we play," Noesen said. "My forte is being in front of the net. I appreciate someone letting me do my thing."

NOTES: Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak left the game at 11:00 of the second period. Cooper said he will be evaluated before they leave for a two-game road trip that begins at the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. ... Noesen played in his 300th NHL game. ... Burns scored his 248th NHL goal, passing Hall of Famer Brian Leetch for ninth in League history among defensemen. ... Tampa Bay forward Austin Watson, who replaced Kucherov in the lineup, had a team-high three shots on goal and three hits in 8:55.