Walker and Blake Lead Hurricanes to Victory Over Wild
The Carolina Hurricanes edged the Minnesota Wild 4-3 at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., with Jackson Blake and Sean Walker each recording a goal and an assist. Andrei Svechnikov and Nikolaj Ehlers also scored, while Frederik Andersen made 21 saves for the Hurricanes, who improved to 9-4-0 and have won three of their last four games.
“Blake is probably the one who needs the most credit for tonight,” said Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour. “The one goal was all him, and the other was just a great pass.”
For Minnesota, Matt Boldy scored twice in his 300th NHL game, giving the Wild an early 1-0 lead. Filip Gustavsson stopped 23 shots as the Wild’s record fell to 5-7-3, snapping their two-game winning streak.
“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,” Minnesota coach John Hynes remarked. “We got some looks in different segments of the game.”
Game Highlights
- Boldy opened scoring at 5:34 in the first period after a scramble in front of the net.
- The teams combined for three goals in just 52 seconds during a frantic 4-on-4 sequence.
Player Contributions
- Jackson Blake: Goal and assist, including a key snap shot breaking through the defense.
- Sean Walker: Goal and assist supporting the team’s offensive push.
- Nikolaj Ehlers and Andrei Svechnikov: Each added a goal to secure the win.
- Frederik Andersen: 21 saves contributing to Carolina’s defensive strength.
Coaches’ Perspectives
- Rod Brind’Amour emphasized Blake’s significant role in the victory.
- John Hynes acknowledged the competitive pressure exerted by the Hurricanes.
Summary: Blake and Walker’s strong performance helped Carolina defeat Minnesota 4-3, showcasing key moments and balanced contributions from both teams in a closely fought NHL game.