Jackson Blake Ends Goal Drought As Hurricanes Win

In a thrilling matchup on March 28, 2025, the Carolina Hurricanes faced off against the Montreal Canadiens, and it was a night to remember for rookie Jackson Blake. After enduring a frustrating 22-game goal drought, Blake not only found the back of the net but also played a pivotal role in the Hurricanes' decisive 4-1 victory.

The action kicked off quickly, with Montreal's Josh Anderson scoring just 23 seconds into the first period, putting the Canadiens ahead early. However, the Hurricanes responded in spectacular fashion. Blake scored his 12th goal of the season just 41 seconds into the game, tying the score at 1-1. The puck deflected off Blake's right skate in front of the crease and slipped past Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault, marking Blake's first NHL three-point night.

Following Blake's equalizer, the Hurricanes took control of the game. In the second period, Blake assisted on Taylor Hall's power-play goal, which was Hall's fourth power-play goal in the past six games. Blake wasn't done there; he later assisted on a play that ended with Sebastian Aho scoring off a Seth Jarvis pass, extending the Hurricanes' lead to 3-1.

Head coach Rod Brind'Amour had faith in Blake throughout his scoring drought, stating, "I don’t bring it up. Goals will come at the weirdest times. Sometimes, you’ll get one you don’t deserve. He deserves a bunch.” This trust was evident in Blake's performance, as he showcased his skill and determination on the ice.

Despite facing only 14 shots on goal, Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen made crucial saves, including a denial of a breakaway by Alex Newhook in the third period. Additionally, defenseman Brent Burns played his 915th consecutive game, marking the fourth-longest “ironman” streak in NHL history. Forward Andrei Svechnikov made a successful return to the lineup after missing six games due to an upper-body injury, contributing with a late empty-net goal.

Blake's journey to this game hasn't been easy. After scoring consistently at every level, including five game-winning goals this season, the rookie was understandably frustrated by his prolonged scoring drought. "Obviously, it’s been a struggle in that department, 20 games or whatever," Blake admitted after practice. "I’ve never been through this in my life, going 20 games, but you’re also playing every other day. I’m sure in college I went a month without scoring, which kind of feels the same even though it might be eight games."

His persistence paid off in this game, and Blake was grateful for the support from his teammates and coaches. He had been focusing on his game, reviewing shifts and consulting with his father, former NHL player Jason Blake, to gain insights and improve. "Video doesn’t lie, right? So there’s always stuff I can work on, and it’s always good to see the good stuff, too, to continue to do the stuff that’s given me those scoring chances," he explained.

Blake's elusiveness on the ice, combined with his quick shot release, makes him a constant threat. Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 178 pounds, he learned to use his shiftiness to navigate through tight spaces, often drawing from his experiences as a smaller player growing up. "That comes from my dad telling me not to be afraid," he said. "I think when I was growing up I was always the smaller guy, so that kind of helps now, being a smaller guy and being hit and always getting right back up."

In the lead-up to this game, Blake had been generating scoring chances but struggled to convert them into goals. He recorded five shots on goal in the previous game against the Nashville Predators, where Brind’Amour praised his effort, saying, "He might have been the best player on the ice." This determination and hard work finally culminated in a breakout performance against the Canadiens.

As the game progressed, the Hurricanes continued to dominate, with Blake's line, featuring Aho and Jarvis, combining for 12 shots on goal and 23 total attempts. Aho emphasized the importance of their line producing, stating, "That’s been the case now for a while with our line. As a top line, we have to produce.”

With the victory over the Canadiens, the Hurricanes solidified their position as they head into the Stanley Cup playoffs. Jackson Blake's resurgence not only boosts his confidence but also adds depth to a team that is looking to make a deep playoff run. The Hurricanes will be eager to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next challenge.

Blake’s performance against Montreal serves as a reminder that perseverance pays off, and with his goal drought now behind him, he is poised to contribute significantly to the Hurricanes' success in the postseason. As he said with optimism, "It’s coming,” and indeed, it has arrived.