The Carolina Hurricanes finally returned home after a long, six game road trip but lost to the Las Vegas Golden Knights, 6-3 on Tuesday night at the Lenovo Center.
The home team, already depleted by injuries, were playing with just four defensemen for a period of time when both Shayne Gostisbehere and Joel Nystrom left the game with injuries. Nystrom was able to return after getting hit in the face with a puck earlier.
Andrei Svechnikov got the scoring started with a nice shot immediately off a clean faceoff win by Sebastian Aho.
It was Svechnikov’s first point of the season. The assist gave Aho a nine game scoring streak as he has at least one point in each Carolina game.
The goal was also a powerplay goal but it would be the only chance the Canes would get with a man advantage this game.
Vegas would tie things up soon enough and then take a 2-1 lead before the end of the period.
Jordan Martinook tied the game on a breakaway chance midway through the second.
With 2:31 gone in the third period, Logan Stankoven gave the Canes a 3-2 lead but there would be no joy in Mudville this night.
Brett Howden tied it up and then Jack Eichel took over the game.
Eichel notched two beautiful goals and Hertl scored an empty-netter to close things out.
It was a tough night for the Hurricanes on several levels including that they had only one powerplay compared to five for Vegas. Brind’Amour was not happy about that after the game.
Alexander Nikishin had a team high 27:33 of ice time. He was tied for the team high with four shots on goal, three hits, and three blocked shots.
The Hurricanes will need to get healthy again or find a way to get back to winning as they face the Islanders on Thursday night.