The Carolina Hurricanes were defeated 4-1 by the San Jose Sharks on Sunday at Lenovo Center. The loss came as the team finished a weekend of back-to-back games.
San Jose scored on their first shot, putting Carolina behind early for the second time in three games. Jordan Staal responded with a power-play goal to tie the game before the end of the first period.
In the second period, San Jose blocked 26 shots and limited Carolina to just six shots on goal. The Sharks scored twice in that frame, building a 3-1 lead by the end of two periods.
Carolina changed their lines and increased pressure in the third period, registering 15 shots. However, they could not close the gap. Macklin Celebrini added an empty-net goal for San Jose to complete his three-point night.
Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov returned from injury for his first start since November 17, making 18 saves on 21 shots and taking his first loss of the season.
Jordan Staal’s power-play goal was his first since October 23, 2021. With that point, he moved past Rod Brind’Amour into fifth place on the franchise’s all-time points list with 474. Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere recorded an assist for a third consecutive game.
Head coach Rod Brind’Amour commented after the game: “We were not mentally prepared properly. They were hungry. It was an embarrassing effort, really, for two periods. And then it was, ‘Oh yeah, we better get playing.’ And we did. It was a great third period in terms of doing it right; it’s just that you’re down two, and they hunkered in. We got a few good opportunities, but we were not sharp.”
Brind’Amour also said: “This is the National Hockey League. You have to be prepared every night, whether there are four games a week or one of those stretches, but everybody’s got to go through it. We were not sharp. And when the other team is sharp, you’re going to get behind. Now you’re chasing the game, and it’s hard to come back.”
Team captain Jordan Staal echoed these thoughts: “I don’t think we were very good, obviously. For the first two periods, they were the better team. They did what we do – be hard to play against, be above guys, and sticking to us. Obviously, we had a good third, but when they sit back and you get a few chances it looks good for the most part but we got outworked for the first two periods and it wasn’t pretty.”
Defenseman Sean Walker added: “When we get away from our game plan it’s a tough night of hockey. They stuck to their game plan. They got in on us and made us defend a lot. That definitely takes away your spark (We have to) get back to our game plan and most nights it works for us.”
The Hurricanes will host their annual Alumni Game against NC State Wolfpack on Monday before returning to regular action Tuesday against Columbus Blue Jackets.
