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National Hockey League
Carolina 6, Vegas 3
When: 7:00 PM ET, Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Where: PNC Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina
Referees: Pierre Lambert, Kelly Sutherland
Linesmen: Matt MacPherson, James Tobias
Attendance: 18848

Michael Bunting had a goal and two assists and the Carolina Hurricanes used a three-goal second period to take control in a 6-3 victory against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night at Raleigh, N.C.

Andrei Svechnikov scored in his first game back in the lineup, Brady Skjei had a goal and an assist and Jordan Staal, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Seth Jarvis also tallied as the Hurricanes equaled their highest goal total of the season. Sebastian Aho provided three assists and Pyotr Kochetkov made 30 saves for the win.

Carolina concluded a 1-0-2 homestand while stretching its points streak to five games (3-0-2).

William Carrier notched two goals and Jack Eichel scored the other goal for the Golden Knights, who lost for the second time in three games yet still have the NHL's highest point total. Brett Howden had two assists.

Vegas goalie Logan Thompson allowed six goals on 28 shots, exiting after Carolina posted two goals in the opening 4:44 of the third period. Jiri Patera took over and stopped all 10 shots he faced.

Svechnikov, who missed the previous six games with an injury, has two goals in 17 games this season after his tally at 10:27 of the first period. It came after he took a pass from Skjei on the Hurricanes' first power play of the game.

At 13:15 of the first period, Carrier cut into the crease and put the puck past Kochetkov after the goalie blocked Brayden McNabb's attempt, tying the score. Carrier's fourth goal of the season ended a 20-game drought.

Staal's fifth goal came at 4:36 of the second period. He lifted the puck into the net after Jesper Fast's cross-ice pass sent the puck through the legs of a Vegas player.

Kotkaniemi produced his first goal in 11 games with a move that resulted in a wrist shot that sent the puck past Thompson for a 3-1 lead at 10:11 of the second period. Just 1:28 later, Bunting scored on a power play, his seventh goal of the season.

Jarvis' 11th goal and Skjei's sixth goal came in the third period.

Eichel made the scoresheet his 15th goal of the season with 1:24 left, extending his franchise-record point streak to 11 games.

Carrier added his second of the night with 31 seconds remaining.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Vegas   Carolina
William Carrier 2 Points Michael Bunting 3
William Carrier 2 Goals Michael Bunting 1
Brett Howden 2 Assists Sebastian Aho 3
N/A Power Play Goals Michael Bunting 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Jiri Patera 1.000 Save Percentage Pyotr Kochetkov .909
Logan Thompson 23 Saves Pyotr Kochetkov 30
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Vegas 33 3 0-4 0-3 6 41
Carolina 39 6 3-3 4-4 8 31
Upcoming Games
  • Carolina will play their next game on the road against Pittsburgh. The Hurricanes have a W/L % of .471 after a win and .600 after a loss.
  • Vegas will play their next game on the road against Tampa Bay. The Golden Knights have a W/L % of .636 after a win and .636 after a loss.