The Carolina Hurricanes are comfortably in first place in the Metropolitan Division and battling for the top spot in the Eastern Conference as they get ready to host the New Jersey Devils on Saturday in Raleigh, N.C.
After winning their previous three, the Hurricanes lost 5-2 to the host Montreal Canadiens in their most recent game on Tuesday night. They entered Friday tied atop the conference with the Buffalo Sabres, who face the Detroit Red Wings on Friday.
Carolina blew a 2-0 lead early in the first period against Montreal.
“It’s hard because, for the most part, we were really good,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “When you look at the score, you’re like, ‘What just happened?’ But it wasn’t that kind of game.”
Carolina had a 43-19 shots advantage.
The Hurricanes allowed a goal in the first period and two more, 3:30 apart, in the second.
“It’s about what you give up, and I think we gave up maybe one too many in that second period,” Carolina captain Jordan Staal said. “We kind of took the foot off the gas a bit and they made us pay. They had a couple of quick goals. They’ve got some talent, and when you’re behind in this league, it’s not easy.
“And we had some looks to definitely tie it up and played a solid game, but there’s little things about finding ways to defend and making sure the puck’s not in the back of our net.”
Staal and Nikolaj Ehlers got the goals for the Hurricanes and Frederik Andersen made 14 saves.
The Devils have won five of their last six after their 4-2 road win over the Nashville Predators on Thursday.
Captain Nico Hischier scored twice, Jesper Bratt had a goal and two assists and Timo Meier added a goal while Jack Hughes and defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler each had two assists.
New Jersey coach Sheldon Keefe praised Siegenthaler’s recent form. Siegenthaler has 11 assists in 71 games this season.
“His contributions offensively, joining the rush, sometimes the puck lands on his stick and he makes the play,” Keefe said. “Sometimes he’s driving through and creating space for others. I think he’s done a really nice job of that. It’s great to see him get rewarded. He does so many good things and hard things in the game that don’t get a lot of attention, so it’s good to see him get some points and getting rewarded.”
Both of Hischier’s tallies came on deflections to give him 26 goals. Bratt’s marker also came on a tip-in.
“Two goals that haven’t really happened too much for us during the year with those screens and tips and all that stuff,” Bratt said. “Obviously feels good to get those in. I don’t really know how (Hughes) had that good of aim to hit my stick. I just tried to get any distraction in front there. And then Nico does a great job. I see we have a good net-front (presence) on the one shot from me, and I just figured any puck in there with a guy on the back side could be good.”
Hughes has 14 points (five goals, nine assists) over a seven-game points streak.
