Sebastian Aho scored 3:40 into overtime and Pyotr Kochetkov made 34 saves to lift the Carolina Hurricanes to a 1-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday in Raleigh, N.C.
The Devils’ Vitek Vanecek denied Martin Necas on a shot from the high slot, but Aho brilliantly batted the puck out of the air and into the net. Aho has a team-leading 19 goals, including one scored in Carolina’s 3-2 victory over New Jersey on Jan. 25.
Aho’s tally on Saturday sent the crowd into a frenzy on a night in which the Hurricanes wore their commemorative Hartford Whalers jerseys, honoring the franchise’s former home before it relocated to Raleigh.
Kochetkov preserved his second shutout of the season and sixth of his career by turning aside nine shots in the third period and two in overtime. He made 22 saves in Carolina’s 4-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov. 11.
Kochetkov was making his third straight start on Saturday, hours after the team announced that fellow goaltender Antti Raanta will be sidelined for at least two weeks due to a lower-body injury.
Necas and defenseman Jaccob Slavin each were credited with an assist as the Hurricanes improved to 13-3-1 in their last 17 games. Necas has collected nine points (seven goals, two assists) in his last eight games since returning from a five-game absence due to an upper-body injury.
Vanecek made 31 saves for the Devils, who failed to cash in on any of their four power-play opportunities en route to losing for the ninth time in their last 13 games (4-7-2).
Carolina’s Andrei Svechnikov recorded two shots on goal and four hits in his return from a six-game absence due to an upper-body injury.
The Hurricanes nearly snapped the scoreless draw late in the second period. Teuvo Teravainen’s wrist shot caromed off the post, and defenseman Santeri Hatakka alertly sent the puck out of harm’s way.
Vanecek denied Jordan Martinook on a partial breakaway early in the third period.
–Field Level Media
