Hurricanes’ Andrei Svechnikov is finding his offensive game, and just in time
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Svechnikov shook off the slump, scored a power-play goal and lifted offense.
- He posted a goal and assist vs Islanders and earned first-star honors.
- Svechnikov ignored online criticism, thrives on heavy line with Staal and Martinook.
It took longer than expected, creating angst among some Carolina Hurricanes fans, but Andrei Svechnikov’s game is coming.
The offense has reappeared. The physical part never left. But his impact has been more apparent the past few games.
Against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, the Canes’ power forward came out firing and later scored his first goal of the season on a power play. The Lenovo Center thundered as center Sebastian Aho, who won a faceoff to give Svechnikov a quick shot, skated in to give him a big hug.
“It was just a special moment,” Svechnikov said this week. “The support I felt from the fans, it can give you such energy. You cannot describe how I felt inside.”
While the Canes lost to Vegas, Svechnikov was determined to continue his energized play Thursday against the New York Islanders — and he did, with a goal and an assist in a 6-2 Canes victory. He was named the game’s first star.
Forward Bradly Nadeau scored his first NHL goal, too, Logan Stankoven had a goal and assist and goalie Brandon Bussi picked up another victory with 26 saves in another quality start for a player the Canes claimed off waivers. Bussi also had an assist, jumpstarting a rush that resulted in a Jackson Blake goal.
Seth Jarvis injured
One big downside to the game for the Canes: forward Seth Jarvis was twice hit on his left foot by pucks and had to be helped off the ice in the third period. Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour, asked about Jarvis’ injury, said “it did not look great” and that the team would know more about his condition Friday.
“Hopefully it won’t be serious, but it doesn’t look good,” Brind’Amour said after the game.
The first puck off the foot came in the offensive zone, and nearly resulted in another goal for the emerging star, who got back to his feet afterward getting hit and nearly tipped a shot into the net before getting spilled in front by a defender.
After hobbling to the bench and staying there for the better part of a 4-on-4 situation, Jarvis came back out onto the ice on a change, made a beeline for the top of the defensive slot and immediately slid to block a point shot. That one also went off hie left instep, and he immediately crumbled to the ice, needing help to leave after play was whistled dead.
A scoring flurry
Svechnikov’s assist came when he unleashed a shot that Jordan Martinook turned into an easy tap-in goal after Jordan Staal got a piece of the rebound as the Canes built an early lead.
Nadeau scored on a quick snipe and defenseman Mike Reilly picked up a shorthanded goal with a nifty wraparound as the Canes led 3-0 in the first period and 3-1 at the first intermission.
After Blake scored in the third for a 4-1 lead, the Islanders made it a two-goal game on a Simon Holstrom score. The puck dropped and Svechnikov scored 11 seconds later, taking the puck from the Canes zone to the Islanders net with a move marked by skill and power.
“He was dynamic,” Brind’Amour said. “He came out on fire to start the game. After they made it 4-2, he comes down and pulls a Svech. That’s the player we know, and it’s nice to see maybe he’s getting a little rhythm going.”
Svechnikov finding confidence
Feeling confident? In the first period, Svechnikov carried the puck behind the net and seemed set for one of his lacrosse-style shots but then backed off.
Isles goalie David Rittich was burned for Svechnikov’s first “Michigan” goal in October 2019 while with the Calgary Flames. He was ready.
In the second, the Canes were trapped in their zone during a long shift when Svechnikov grabbed the puck and lifted it up and into the neutral zone to allow a badly needed change. But before leaving the ice, he also hammered Isles forward Emil Heineman with a huge hit along the boards.
When Svechnikov did not have a point in the Canes’ first eight games of the season, there were some unkind posts on social media about the 25-year-old from Russia. There was online grousing about Svechnikov’s play and comments that perhaps the Canes even should consider a trade.
Guess what? Svechnikov said he didn’t pay attention to any of the noise or internet chatter.
“Nah, nah, nah,” he said in an interview. “I stay away from that. I stay focused. Those people … there are a lot of people who don’t understand hockey who try to say things.
“Whatever. I know what kind of player I am and what I can do for the team. I know I didn’t score for eight games, but it wasn’t that I didn’t have chances every game.”
Fitting in just fine
With William Carrier apparently out long term with an injury, Svechnikov has been on Staal’s line with Martinook.
“When he’s going he’s an elite hockey player,” Staal said. “He can be physical, a shooter, holds on to pucks. I feel like when he plays with us, he gets to his game quicker.” Brind’Amour is hoping that continues.
“Whoever you put with Jordan and Jordan you’re probably going to get it done right,” Brind’Amour said. “It’s easier to just play your game and know you have those guys to back you up.
“Plus, that’s a heavy line we like to have that’s always going to get the tough matchup and you want to make sure you have someone there who can handle it. Svech can do that.”
