Walker, Blake Each Has 2 Points, Hurricanes Edge Wild
Jackson Blake and Sean Walker each recorded a goal and an assist as the Carolina Hurricanes narrowly defeated the Minnesota Wild 4-3 at the Lenovo Center on Thursday.
Additional goals came from Andrei Svechnikov and Nikolaj Ehlers, while Frederik Andersen made 21 saves, helping the Hurricanes improve to 9-4-0 with their second consecutive win and their third win in the last four games.
“Blake is probably the one who needs the most credit for tonight. The one goal was all him, and the other was just a great pass.” – Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour
Matt Boldy scored twice for the Wild, who had entered the game with two wins in a row. Filip Gustavsson made 23 saves to keep Minnesota competitive.
“They’re a high-pressure team. There were times I thought we handled it well, and there were times when there was another good team on the ice, too. We got some looks in different segments of the game.” – Minnesota coach John Hynes
Game Highlights
- Boldy opened the scoring for Minnesota at 5:34 in the first period, tapping in a loose puck at the crease after an effort by Mark Jankowski to lift Kirill Kaprizov’s stick on a rush.
- The teams combined for three goals within 52 seconds during a fast-paced 4-on-4 stretch.
Key Performances
- Jackson Blake showcased strong offensive skill with a goal and an assist.
- Sean Walker matched Blake’s contribution with a goal and an assist.
- Frederik Andersen’s 21 saves were crucial for securing the win.
- Matt Boldy’s two goals marked a notable effort in his 300th NHL game.
The intense back-and-forth and high-pressure style defined the close contest between the two teams.
Author’s summary: The Hurricanes edged the Wild 4-3, powered by Blake and Walker's dual-point games and Andersen’s key saves, in a thrilling, fast-paced NHL matchup.