Walker and Blake Lead Hurricanes Past Wild 4-3
RALEIGH, N.C. — Jackson Blake and Sean Walker each recorded a goal and an assist as the Carolina Hurricanes edged the Minnesota Wild 4-3 on Thursday night at Lenovo Center.
Andrei Svechnikov and Nikolaj Ehlers also scored, while Frederik Andersen made 21 saves for the Hurricanes (9-4-0), who earned their second consecutive win and third in 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 (5-7-3), Matt Boldy scored twice in his 300th NHL game, helping the Wild stay competitive after entering on a two-game winning streak. Filip Gustavsson stopped 23 shots in the loss.
“They’re a high-pressure team,” Minnesota coach John Hynes said. “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.”
First Period Action
Boldy opened the scoring at 5:34 of the first period. After a rush toward the net, Carolina’s Mark Jankowski lifted the stick of Kirill Kaprizov, but the puck slid free near the crease, where Boldy tapped it past Andersen.
Second Period Surge
The teams combined for three goals within a hectic 52-second span during a 4-on-4 sequence, with both sides exchanging quick responses before Carolina regained control.
Key Contributors
- Jackson Blake: 1 goal, 1 assist
- Sean Walker: 1 goal, 1 assist
- Nikolaj Ehlers: 1 goal
- Andrei Svechnikov: 1 goal
- Matt Boldy: 2 goals
Author’s summary: Carolina held off Minnesota in a fast-paced 4-3 victory, powered by Blake and Walker’s two-point nights and strong goaltending from Andersen.