The Carolina Hurricanes leaned on a high-powered start led by Andrei Svechnikov, with the Russian winger earning first-star honors in a tense NHL regular-season clash against the Montreal Canadiens. The game, staged at the PCN Arena in Raleigh, showcased Carolina’s attack at its best and set the tone for a decisive win this season series between two familiar Canadian counterparts and an American city in the spotlight. Svechnikov appeared on the scoresheet with a flourish, delivering a hat trick that underscored his role as a focal point of the Hurricanes’ offense and a reliable source of offense when the pressure mounted. His performance helped Carolina establish a cushion early and maintain it through the later stages of the contest. The crowd that packed the building rose to salute the effort, recognizing a standout night that could redefine Svechnikov’s trajectory as the season unfolds in the Eastern Conference picture. The Hurricanes took control with a relentless tempo and found a balance between sustained possession and precision finishes, turning opportunities into a comfortable margin as the period clock ran down.
