Sebastian Aho led the Carolina Hurricanes to a 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, recording three points in the game. Jackson Blake and Andrei Svechnikov each contributed two points as well.
The Hurricanes opened the scoring at the 13-minute mark of the first period when Blake capitalized on a rebound from Logan Stankoven. The score remained 1-0 until the third period, with both teams unable to add to their totals before intermission.
In the third period, Carolina extended its lead with a power-play goal by Aho at 2:43. Shortly after, Aho assisted Seth Jarvis for another goal, increasing their advantage. Nashville’s Filip Forsberg scored midway through the final frame, but goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov made 25 saves to secure the win for Carolina.
Aho registered his first multi-goal game and three-point performance of this season. He now leads the team with seven games featuring two or more points in 2025-26. Blake has accumulated five points against Nashville in two games this season, while Svechnikov recorded his second two-assist game in his last five outings. Jarvis scored his team-leading 19th goal of the season and is tied with Connor Bedard among players aged 23-and-under for goals this year.
Defenseman Alexander Nikishin extended his point streak to four games, matching a previous career high. Jaccob Slavin increased his ice time after returning from injury earlier in the week.
Head coach Rod Brind’Amour commented on his team’s performance: “I thought we had a great game. I thought in the first period we deserved a little more. We did everything we needed to do. We got one, then the second was kind of whatever. There wasn’t much happening. We did have a couple of good looks. I thought their goalie kept them in it, and our guy (Kochetkov) played great in the third when we needed it. Good goaltending performances from both teams, but I thought we were good tonight.”
Blake spoke about getting an early lead: “It was huge. I thought that, all game for the most part, we played the way that Rod wants us to play. They had their push, and we knew that was going to happen. They had some guys floating out there, but our D picked up on that pretty well. They got the one (goal), but other than that, I thought we did a great job tonight.”
Brind’Amour also addressed Aho’s line contributing three of four goals: “We need that line to get on the board. They didn’t have their best game going, and then all of a sudden in the third period, they get a power-play goal and obviously a good empty-netter. It was another one of those wins where you could go up and down the lineup, and you had 20 guys who were doing their job.”
Blake added regarding Aho’s strong night: “That was awesome. It’s not a lack of effort from him, ever. He’s always playing really solid, and to have that big game tonight from him is just what we needed as a group. I’m sure he needed that too. I’m super excited to see him get rewarded for his efforts.”
Brind’Amour also praised Blake’s line: “That line’s been great. To get us on the board early, in the first period, they got us going. They got us ahead, and now we can just keep playing… He’s been just a real special player for us all year.”
The Hurricanes are scheduled for back-to-back games against Florida teams later this week.
The Carolina Hurricanes are recognized as a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh since moving from Hartford in 1997 according to their official website. The organization has achieved milestones such as winning its first Stanley Cup championship in 2006 as detailed here. The team operates out of Lenovo Center in Raleigh, which accommodates up to 20,000 people per event and hosts over 150 events annually while supporting local economic growth exceeding $200 million each year according to venue information.
