RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes showcased their newly acquired talent as Mark Jankowski scored twice, propelling the Hurricanes to a 4-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on March 9, 2025. With this win, the Hurricanes extended their winning streak to four games and demonstrated the impact of recent roster changes.
Jankowski made his presence felt in this matchup, netting his first goal at 1:55 of the first period. Just over five minutes later, he struck again, extending the lead to 2-0. Both goals were noteworthy; the first came as Jankowski beat Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck with an impressive rising shot from the right circle. His second goal was slightly more chaotic, occurring during a scramble near the net, where he used his size to outmaneuver defenders and push the puck past Hellebuyck.
The Hurricanes also saw contributions from Logan Stankoven, who scored during power play at 2:34 of the third period, making it 3-0. Seth Jarvis contributed with an empty-net goal later in the game, sealing the deal for Carolina. United by their collective offense, the Hurricanes managed 27 shots on goal, securing their position as they gear up for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
"He’s a big body with some offensive touch," remarked Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour, commenting on Jankowski’s notable debut and potential contributions to the team’s playoff push. Jankowski's focus following his acquisition from the Nashville Predators underlines his desire to be a valuable asset for Carolina. Just six weeks prior to the game, Carolina had traded star forward Mikko Rantanen to the Dallas Stars, signaling shifts within the team dynamics.
Frederik Andersen was also pivotal to the Hurricanes' success, stopping 20 shots throughout the game. He showcased his skills decisively, especially with key saves including one against Kyle Connor during the third period. His consistent performance fortifies the Hurricanes’ defense, particularly as they pursue their playoff aspirations.
The Jets, coming off six-goal performances earlier, struggled to put points on the board until Alex Iafallo scored with only 3:46 left, followed by Adam Lowry shortly before the game's end. Both late goals served as reminders of the Jets’ offensive prowess, but it was not enough to overcome the Hurricanes' lead.
Winnipeg's power play, which has been one of the highest-ranked in the league, was held scoreless on all three opportunities during this game. This inefficiency proved costly, contrasting sharply with Carolina's mixed performance on the power play, where they managed to score only once on six chances.
One interesting moment occurred when Jets forward Cole Perfetti seemingly scored what could have been their first goal mid-game. After a lengthy review, the goal was overturned due to Perfetti's stick being too high at the point of contact, frustrating the Jets and their chances to close the gap earlier.
The Hurricanes finish the evening with their record buoyed to 38-22-4, having improved to 29-0-3 when leading after the second period. Their next matchup will see them host the Tampa Bay Lightning, continuing their quest to build momentum heading toward the playoffs.
The Jets, currently sitting at 44-17-4, will host the New York Rangers next, vowing to shake off this defeat and regroup. The competitive spirit of the NHL ensures thrilling encounters as teams vie for playoff positioning.
This matchup offered glimpses of what adjusted rosters may mean for performance on the ice. With Jankowski's promising start and the integration of Stankoven, the Hurricanes are poised for what they hope will be a successful postseason campaign.