March 10, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Seth Jarvis (24) scores a goal in the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Image The Carolina Hurricanes continue to search for answers as the regular season heads home.
They will try to stay hot at home when the St. Louis Blues visit for a game in Raleigh, North Carolina on Thursday night.
Carolina currently holds a nine-point lead in the Metropolitan Division over second-place Pittsburgh. The Hurricanes extended their home-ice point streak to 12 games by beating the Penguins 5-4 in a shootout Tuesday night. This is the third longest streak in franchise history.
The Hurricanes scored three straight goals to open the third period and take a 4-2 lead, but the Penguins tied it late. Andrei Svechniknov and Jackson Blake registered penalty kicks, with Blake standing as the game-winner.
“He doesn’t feel any pressure,” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “It doesn’t mean he’s going to score, but I know he’s going to try something. It was obviously a huge goal. (Svechnikov’s) goal was good too. Those guys will (get a penalty shoot-out opportunity) again.”
Mark Jankowski and Seth Jarvis scored 59 seconds apart to start Carolina’s third period surge. Jarvis has seven points (two goals, five assists) during a four-game point streak.
“When we establish our identity, we understand how we should play,” Brind’Amour said. “I think sometimes it gets a little off the mark. We try to do too much. Then when you simplify the game, (scoring quickly) happens. You don’t always get that result, but the game definitely looks different from my perspective. We’ve been on the money here lately.”
The Blues lost 4-3 in overtime to the visiting New York Islanders on Tuesday, snapping their longest winning streak of the season at four games. Still, St. Louis has won five games in a row.
The Blues won 3-0 at home against the Hurricanes on January 13, thanks to 33 saves from Joel Hopper. St. Louis scored three goals in the second period against Brandon Bush, handing the rookie only his third loss in regulation. Based on the latest rotation, the Hurricanes expect Bush (25-4-1, 2.38 GAA) to be back in net for Thursday’s rematch.
The Blues are adjusting to their new personnel. Defenseman Theo Lindstein made his NHL debut on Tuesday.
“It felt good out there,” Lindstein said. “Everyone here is so much better….You have to think faster.”
The Blues’ Jimmy Snuggerud recorded three goals and four assists during the period, recording multiple points in three straight games. He is part of the St. Louis production line along with Robert Thomas and Dylan Holloway.
“Every time they go out there, they try to create something, and they do,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said.
Thomas, who has a seven-game point streak, was dealing with a minor upper-body injury suffered Tuesday. Montgomery said he should be able to get through it.
Carolina defenseman Alexander Nikishin set a franchise record for goals by a rookie defenseman with his ninth in a Pittsburgh game. Brind’Amour would like to see him increase the volume of his shots.
“He’s always had that confidence,” Brind’Amour said. “We know he’s got that great ability. … He’s got to keep shooting. We’re going to keep him around. His game is growing.”
–Field level media
