Jankowski & Stankoven Score in Hurricanes’ Debut, Winning 4-2 Over Jets

After a wild Friday (March 7) for the NHL Trade Deadline, the 2024-25 regular season keeps rolling on as the Carolina Hurricanes hosted the Winnipeg Jets for the first game back. The Hurricanes were looking to get their fourth straight win, and the Jets were looking to get their NHL-leading 45th win. This is the last meeting of the regular season between the two teams, as the Jets blanked the Hurricanes back on Feb. 4, 3-0 in Winnipeg. Could the Hurricanes even up the season series, or would the Jets sweep the home team? As the final horn sounded, the Hurricanes beat the number one team in the NHL 4-2.

Game Recap

The Hurricanes saw the debuts of Logan Stankoven and Mark Jankowski after being acquired on trade deadline day. Also, Scott Morrow was called up as Dmitry Orlov is still out due to a minor injury. The home team had two power plays in the first period, one was a double minor after Jesperi Kotkaniemi took a stick to the face. However, nothing came of those man advantages. Luckily for the Hurricanes, that was made up as Morrow sprung Jankowski, who entered the Jets’ zone and crashed the net. Jankowski wasted no time shooting the puck and scored top shelf on Connor Hellebuyck’s glove side. The snipe was Jankowski’s fifth of the season, his first with the Hurricanes. Furthermore, the assist from Morrow was his first NHL point. After the first 20 minutes, the Hurricanes were up 1-0 and outshot the Jets 7-4.

The second period saw the Hurricanes go up 2-0, and once again, it was Jankowski who put in the work for his second of the game, sixth of the season. He was able to battle in the crease after the puck went off of the post. Jankowski jammed the puck past Hellebuyck as the newcomer doubled the Hurricanes’ lead. The home side had a few chances on the power play, still looking to score on the man advantage, but they have been looking better. The penalty kill was rock solid in the middle frame, keeping it a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes. The Hurricanes outshot the Jets 11-10 in the second period and 18-14 after two periods.

The third period for the Hurricanes saw some stank on the power play as Stankoven also scored in his debut with his new team. He tipped the initial shot from Shayne Gostisbehere for his 10th goal of the season and gave the Hurricanes a 3-0 lead just a little under three minutes into the third period. At that point, the Hurricanes were flying against the league leaders in points.

Alex Iafallo did snap the shutout that Frederik Andersen was having as the Jets had an extra attacker on the ice. However, the Hurricanes would regain the three-goal lead once again as Seth Jarvis scored his 25th of the season with an empty-net goal. It looked like the home team would put it away, but Andersen passed the puck right to Adam Lowry on a bad clear, and the Jets captain cut the lead in half once again.

Thankfully, the horn sounded, and the Hurricanes ended up winning 4-2 to secure their 38th win of the season – 25th at home and fourth straight victory. What a way to make a statement in the team’s first game following the trade deadline, plus debut goals from Jankowski and Stankoven. Furthermore, Morrow’s first NHL point was on the initial goal from Jankowski. The win was a total team effort and a much-needed boost of confidence.

A Sprint to the 2025 NHL Playoffs

The Hurricanes (38-22-4) are back at it on Tuesday, March 11, against the Tampa Bay Lightning (37-22-4) at home for a 7:30 p.m. Eastern puck drop. It will be on ESPN+, Hulu, and the radio at 99.9 The Fan. Regarding the Jets (44-17-4), they are back home on Tuesday, March 11, to host the New York Rangers (31-26-6) for an 8 p.m. Eastern start time.