Jarvis scores twice, lifts Hurricanes past Devils in season opener

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Seth Jarvis scored twice, including the go-ahead goal with 2:43 remaining in the third period, and the Carolina Hurricanes opened their regular season with a 6-3 win against the New Jersey Devils at Lenovo Center on Thursday.

Jarvis redirected a centering pass from Sebastian Aho at the front of the net to give Carolina a 4-3 lead, then added an empty-net goal with 55 seconds remaining to make it 5-3.

The deciding goal came after Jarvis failed to keep New Jersey forward Jesper Bratt from tying the game midway through the third. Brett Pesce’s pass from the right wing got through to Bratt with Jarvis in the slot.

“I needed one after that Bratt goal. I owed the team one back and was happy,” Jarvis said. “It doesn’t always work out like that, but I’m happy I could get it back.”

Eric Robinson scored with 13 seconds left, finishing a give-and-go with Taylor Hall for the 6-3 final.

K'Andre Miller scored two goals in his Carolina debut, Hall had a goal and an assist, and Aho and Shayne Gostisbehere each had two assists for the Hurricanes. Frederik Andersen made 19 saves.

“I love the fact that we didn’t hang our heads,” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “They kept tying it up and we were playing pretty well. We had plenty of chances. We just kept moving forward. It was a good first step for sure.”

Bratt had a goal and an assist, and Luke Hughes had two assists for the Devils, who were also playing their season opener. Jacob Markstrom made 27 saves.

“It’s what you expect when you play Carolina in terms of the pressure,” New Jersey coach Sheldon Keefe said. “It’s a tough assignment coming in here for their home opener. I liked the fight of our guys to keep coming back, but we were the second-best team all night, so the result is appropriate.”

Hall put the Hurricanes ahead 1-0 at 4:06 of the first period when he tipped a point shot from Gostisbehere near the right hash marks. Rookie defenseman Alexander Nikishin earned the secondary assist for his first NHL regular-season point.

“We’re such a deep team that has huge aspirations for later on this year,” Hall said. “We’re going to need everyone. It’s a great win.”

Hamiliton tied it 1-1 at 8:15 of the second period, taking a pass from Bratt and cutting to the backhand before scoring from the left hash marks.

“They’re a good team in this rink, and we were right there with them,” Hamilton said. “It’s the first game. We’ve got a lot still to work on and get better at.”

Miller put Carolina on top 2-1 at 9:23. He took a pass out of the corner from William Carrier and scored on a shot that appeared to deflect off Devils forward Nico Hischier and past Markstrom.

Miller did not play in the preseason. He was traded to Carolina by the New York Rangers on July 1 before signing an eight-year, $60 million contract ($7.5 million average annual value).

“Just the noise and the atmosphere the ’Canes fans bring, it’s truly special to be on the other side,” Miller said. “You feel the energy in the building from shift to shift. Obviously it was my first game tonight, but it was amazing.”

Cody Glass tied it 2-2 at 13:54. He held the puck on a 2-on-1 with Connor Brown and beat Andersen with a wrist shot from the left circle.

Miller then put the Hurricanes ahead 3-2 with a power-play goal at 10:21 of the third period, scoring with a slap shot from above the left circle.

Bratt tied it 3-3 from the left side at 11:38 after Pesce's centering pass deflected off Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin and went across the slot to Bratt.

“We have the skill and the talent and the players to come back against any team, and I think that’s something we’ve got to keep coming back to,” Bratt said. "The key for us is how do we play with that tie game, or how do we play with a lead? That’s a learning point for us.”

NOTES: Devils center Jack Hughes had an assist and played 21:54 in his first game since March 2, when he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury against the Vegas Golden Knights. He had surgery three days later. … Pesce, who played his first nine NHL seasons with Carolina before signing with New Jersey prior to last season, played his 700th game. … Nikolaj Ehlers had two shots in 19:35 in his Carolina debut. The forward signed a six-year, $51 million contract ($8.5 million AAV) with the Hurricanes on July 3 after 10 seasons with the Winnipeg Jets. … Jarvis and Miller are the first teammates to score multiple goals in the same season opener in Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers history.