dailygazette
HELSINKI (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes finished the NHL Global Series in Finland's capital with a perfect record, defeating the Seattle Kraken 5-1 on Saturday. Andrei Svechnikov and Mark Jankowski each netted two goals, and Jordan Staal made his return from injury in the victory.
The Hurricanes (16-3-2) had already won the first game of the series 4-1 on Thursday and have now won four consecutive games overall. With the sweep, Carolina became the first NHL franchise to win each of its first four regular-season games played outside North America, having also swept a 2010 series against the Minnesota Wild in Helsinki.
Jackson Blake also scored for Carolina, while Nikolaj Ehlers contributed three assists and Shayne Gostisbehere added two assists. Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov made 12 saves to earn his 12th win in 13 games.
Svechnikov scored two nearly identical power-play goals from the right circle in the second period, one-timing precise snap shots to give Carolina a 3-0 lead and later a 4-1 advantage. He has five goals during a four-game point streak and 11 goals on the season. His second goal, with 9:55 left in the middle frame, ended the night for Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord, who allowed four goals on 14 shots. Philipp Grubauer made 22 saves in relief.
Key Analysis
The Hurricanes' dominance in Helsinki underscores their strong start to the season and their ability to perform on the international stage. Carolina's special teams were particularly effective, with Svechnikov's power-play tallies showcasing his scoring touch. The return of Staal adds depth and leadership to an already formidable lineup. For Seattle, the loss highlights ongoing struggles, particularly in goal, as Daccord was pulled early. The sweep solidifies Carolina's position as a top contender and sets a historic precedent for NHL teams playing abroad.
Originally reported by dailygazette.