Hurricanes Rally Past Golden Knights 3-2 in Thrilling Matchup

The Carolina Hurricanes came from behind to defeat the Las Vegas Golden Knights 3-2, with Seth Jarvis scoring twice to lead the team to victory and fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

The National Hockey League (NHL) had a light schedule on Friday, with only two games taking place. Despite the limited action, the evening still delivered exciting performances, as the Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes emerged victorious in their respective matchups.

Alex Nedeljkovic made history in the Detroit Red Wings' game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, although his team ultimately fell short. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes held off a late surge from the Vegas Golden Knights to secure their win.

Penguins Make History with Dominant Win Over Sabres

The Pittsburgh Penguins delivered a thrilling performance to defeat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 on the road. Despite trailing early, the Penguins responded swiftly and decisively, dominating the second period to take control of the game. Owen Power scored the only goal of the opening period for the Sabres, but the Penguins' response was immediate and emphatic.

Richard Rakell equalized just 101 seconds into the second period, and Anthony Beauvillier put the Penguins ahead 27 seconds later. Cody Glass then converted a power play to extend the lead to 3-1, giving the Penguins a commanding advantage. The visitors continued to press in the final frame, with Bryan Rust scoring 69 seconds in to put the game out of reach for the Sabres.

The Sabres managed to score a consolation goal through Zach Benson with 5:14 remaining in regulation. However, the most astonishing moment of the night was yet to come. Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic scored his first NHL goal with an incredible shot from one end of the ice to the other. Having also assisted on the Penguins' third goal, Nedeljkovic became the first goaltender in NHL history to record a goal and an assist in the same game.

The victory lifts the Penguins to 46 points, just three behind the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. In contrast, the Sabres remain at the bottom of the conference, having suffered their second defeat in three games.

The Carolina Hurricanes staged a comeback to defeat the Las Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 on home ice. The game's opening period ended scoreless, but Tomas Hertl broke the deadlock 4:22 into the second period, giving Vegas the lead. However, the Golden Knights were unable to capitalize on a penalty opportunity five minutes later, as Keegan Kolesar failed to convert.

The Hurricanes seized the initiative, scoring the equalizer two and a half minutes after Kolesar's missed penalty. Seth Jarvis leveled the score, setting the stage for a thrilling second half of the game. The Hurricanes gained momentum in the third period, with Jackson Blake giving them the lead just 46 seconds in. Jarvis then scored his second goal of the game, putting Carolina in a commanding position.

Despite a late surge, the Golden Knights were unable to overcome the deficit. Shea Theodore scored a consolation goal with 10 minutes remaining in regulation, but the Hurricanes' defense held firm to secure the victory. The win propelled the Hurricanes into fourth place in the Eastern Conference, eight points behind leaders Washington Capitals. The victory also ended Carolina's two-game losing streak.

The loss left the Golden Knights tied for second in the Western Conference with 61 points, four points behind the Winnipeg Jets. Despite the setback, Vegas remains in a strong position in the conference standings.

Penguins' Historic Night

The Pittsburgh Penguins delivered a thrilling performance to defeat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 on the road. Despite trailing early, the Penguins responded swiftly and decisively, dominating the second period to take control of the game. Owen Power scored the only goal of the opening period for the Sabres, but the Penguins' response was immediate and emphatic.

Richard Rakell equalized just 101 seconds into the second period, and Anthony Beauvillier put the Penguins ahead 27 seconds later. Cody Glass then converted a power play to extend the lead to 3-1, giving the Penguins a commanding advantage. The visitors continued to press in the final frame, with Bryan Rust scoring 69 seconds in to put the game out of reach for the Sabres.

The Captain finds the Kid 😍 pic.twitter.com/tRBtlW8qbf

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) January 18, 2025

The Sabres managed to score a consolation goal through Zach Benson with 5:14 remaining in regulation. However, the most astonishing moment of the night was yet to come. Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic scored his first NHL goal with an incredible shot from one end of the ice to the other. Having also assisted on the Penguins' third goal, Nedeljkovic became the first goaltender in NHL history to record a goal and an assist in the same game.

The victory lifts the Penguins to 46 points, just three behind the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. In contrast, the Sabres remain at the bottom of the conference, having suffered their second defeat in three games.