Kuznetsov and Guentzel Earn Maiden Points for Hurricanes in Victory.

The Carolina Hurricanes find themselves embroiled in a fierce battle for the Metropolitan Division title against the New York Rangers. Despite a hard-fought 1-0 defeat against the division leaders on Tuesday night, the Hurricanes wasted no time bouncing back. On Thursday, March 14th, they faced off against the Florida Panthers, seeking redemption for their previous 1-0 victory on Feb. 22nd. Once again, the Hurricanes showcased their dominance, delivering a masterful performance with a 4-0 win, courtesy of goaltender Frederik Andersen’s flawless 21-save shutout. This marks a total of six consecutive periods where the Panthers failed to find the back of the net, with the Hurricanes outscoring them 5-0 across both matchups.

Not only that, but there were a couple of noteworthy firsts during Thursday night’s 4-0 victory. The Hurricanes’ recent acquisitions from the trade deadline the previous week registered their inaugural points with the team. It was a magical moment witnessing a bird celebration amid a significant shutout triumph against one of the NHL’s top teams. Additionally, it was an opportunity to witness the prowess of Carolina’s second line, featuring both newcomers who left their mark on the game. Welcome to Raleighwood, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jake Guentzel.

Kuznetsov’s First Carolina Bird Celebration
When discussing impactful performances from the newcomers, it’s undeniable that Kuznetsov immediately caught everyone’s attention for all the right reasons. Despite entering his fourth game with the Hurricanes still seeking his first point since joining on trade deadline day, Kuznetsov had been demonstrating his potential since his debut against the New Jersey Devils on March 9th. The team and fans alike could see his proximity to notching his first point. Fortunately, the moment finally arrived for Kuznetsov—a goal, marking his first point—as a member of the Hurricanes.

When the pivotal goal was finally scored, it came at the 8:27 mark of the second period. At that juncture, the Hurricanes were already leading 2-0 following goals from Seth Jarvis in the opening period and Martin Necas nearly six minutes earlier. The play unfolded with Guentzel and Necas applying pressure on the Panthers in their defensive zone near the right corner boards. Amidst a scramble, the puck eventually found its way to defenseman Jalen Chatfield near the top of the right blue line, who then located Kuznetsov wide open near the left faceoff circle. Kuznetsov calmly settled the puck, positioned himself, and swiftly snapped it past goaltender Sergi Bobrovsky, extending the Hurricanes’ lead to 3-0. More significantly, this marked Kuznetsov’s inaugural goal and point with the Hurricanes, cementing a memorable moment for the team and the player alike.

The goal became even more memorable as Kuznetsov performed his trademark “bird celly,” a celebration known to fans from his time with the Washington Capitals. The roar of the crowd in PNC Arena was thunderous as the goal was announced. When the camera captured Kuznetsov on the bench, it was evident how much the moment meant to him, given the overwhelming support he had received from both the team and the fans since joining. He simply cracked a smile and absorbed the moment. Even after the game, during their “Storm Surge” celebration, the team replicated the bird celebration as a gesture of further support for Kuznetsov. This marked Kuznetsov’s first goal or point since Jan. 27, when he recorded two assists in a 5-4 overtime loss against the Dallas Stars while still with the Capitals.

Reflecting on the game, Kuznetsov remarked, “I understand why I’m here and why this team brought me in. Not just to be the funny guy and smile. They need us to perform, get the points, and help the team. It felt like today was the day we had to step up.” This will undoubtedly be a moment he cherishes, especially with his family present. Congratulations on your inaugural goal and point in Carolina, Kuznetsov.

While it wasn’t a two-point night for Kuznetsov, who also found the back of the net, no complaints arose when Guentzel was credited with the assist, marking his first-ever point in Carolina. Even head coach Rod Brind’Amour recognized this milestone, continuing his post-game tradition by presenting Guentzel with a shirt.

This moment is likely just the beginning for Guentzel with the Hurricanes. The significance of one’s first point, especially in a crucial victory, resonates deeply, particularly with 16 games remaining before the 2024 NHL Playoffs. While the road ahead won’t be easy, securing that initial point with a new team is a promising start.

However, the journey is far from over for Kuznetsov and Guentzel, as well as the entire team. With 86 points on the season following Carolina’s 40th win, they remain within four points of the division lead. Next up is a challenging North of the Border back-to-back against the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, March 16th, and Sunday, March 17th, respectively. The goal is to secure at least three points, if not all four, across both games. With the confidence gained from earning their first points, the team looks forward to building momentum in the weeks ahead as the playoffs draw nearer. This period will truly test their resilience, but the addition of Kuznetsov and Guentzel provides the Hurricanes with the boost they need for the final stretch of the regular season.

For now, the primary focus remains on winning games and awaiting the playoff seeding for the team from Raleigh, North Carolina.