Walker and Blake Lead Hurricanes to 4-3 Win Over Wild
Jackson Blake and Sean Walker each recorded a goal and an assist as the Carolina Hurricanes edged the Minnesota Wild 4-3 on Thursday at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Nikolaj Ehlers and Andrei Svechnikov also scored for Carolina, while Frederik Andersen made 21 saves to secure the victory. The Hurricanes improved to 9-4-0, winning their second consecutive game and three of their last four.
“Blake is probably the one who needs the most credit for tonight,” said Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour. “The one goal was all him, and the other was just a great pass.”
Boldy Scores Twice for Minnesota
For the Wild, Matt Boldy scored two goals in his 300th NHL game. Filip Gustavsson stopped 23 shots, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Carolina’s offense. Minnesota’s record fell to 5-7-3 after having won two games in a row.
“They’re a high-pressure team. There were times I thought we handled it well, and there were times when there was another good team on the ice, too,” Minnesota coach John Hynes said. “We got some looks in different segments of the game.”
Game Highlights
- Boldy opened the scoring at 5:34 of the first period as he tapped in a loose puck after Mark Jankowski lifted Kirill Kaprizov’s stick near the crease.
- The teams combined for three goals within 52 seconds during a fast-paced 4-on-4 sequence.
The Hurricanes' resilience and key contributions from Blake and Walker proved decisive in a tightly contested matchup.
Summary: Walker and Blake’s combined efforts propelled the Hurricanes to a narrow 4-3 victory over the Wild, showcasing Carolina’s depth and special teams amid a fast-paced, intense contest.