“If we keep playing like that, it’s going to give us a chance to win on any given day in this league.”
Those were the words of Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal after Carolina clawed their way to a 3-2 overtime victory in Game 5, staving off elimination and reigniting the fire that had flickered in recent days. With their backs against the wall, the Hurricanes did what they’ve done best under Head Coach Rod Brind’Amour — play relentless, fast, physical hockey that overwhelms opponents and sends a deafening message across the league.
This wasn’t just a game. This was a statement.
From the opening faceoff, the Hurricanes looked different. The energy was undeniable. Skaters flew to pucks like magnets, every check had extra weight, every shot was laced with fury. It was Carolina Hurricanes hockey, the kind of style that made them a perennial playoff force and a nightmare to play against.
Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov, thrust into the spotlight under immense pressure, delivered arguably the performance of his young career. With 38 saves — including two jaw-dropping breakaway stops in overtime — Kochetkov cemented himself as not just the goalie of the future, but the goalie of the moment.
“We needed someone to steal it for us,” Brind’Amour said postgame. “And Pyotr gave us that chance. He was a wall.”
But it wasn’t just the goalie who shined. The Canes’ blue line finally resembled the shutdown unit fans have grown accustomed to, with Brett Pesce and Jaccob Slavin neutralizing the opposition’s top scorers and leading the charge out of the zone with precision.
Up front, it was Sebastian Aho who delivered the final blow. Just 3:47 into overtime, Aho pounced on a rebound off a Teuvo Teräväinen blast, firing the puck past a sprawling netminder and sending PNC Arena into an earthquake of celebration. The bench erupted, the fans lost their minds, and the pulse of Carolina hockey beat louder than ever.
Aho didn’t celebrate long. He skated straight to the bench, motioning to his teammates. “It’s not done,” he said. “We’ve got more work.”
That message has been echoed throughout the locker room. There’s a renewed belief that the identity they lost during a turbulent stretch of the playoffs has finally returned. Brind’Amour has always emphasized process over panic, and in Game 5, the process paid off.
There were still bruises, still mistakes. But more importantly, there was heart — and that may be what carries this team further than pundits predicted.
“Sometimes you just need one spark,” said veteran forward Jesper Fast. “Tonight might’ve been that moment.”
As the Hurricanes prepare for a pivotal Game 6, the atmosphere has shifted. What was once despair has transformed into belief. The players know what’s at stake. The fans feel the momentum. And the rest of the NHL has been reminded that you don’t count out the Carolina Hurricanes — not when they play like this.
Whether this series ends in triumph or heartbreak, one thing is certain: the Canes are not going quietly. They’re here to fight, to skate, to believe — and maybe, just maybe, to go on one more unforgettable run