Hurricanes Turn the Wild to Mild in 4-3 Win

The Carolina Hurricanes earned a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild in their first matchup of the season. Following their win against the New York Rangers on Tuesday, Carolina hosted Minnesota on Thursday night, aiming to halt the Wild’s two-game winning streak. By the end of the night, the Hurricanes succeeded.

High-Speed First Period

The opening period perfectly matched the Wild’s name — intense and unpredictable. Five goals were scored within the first 20 minutes, as the teams traded chances at lightning speed. Matt Boldy put Minnesota up early, but Jackson Blake responded with a brilliant solo effort to beat Filip Gustavsson. Moments later, Brock Faber restored the Wild lead before Andrei Svechnikov tied it again only 21 seconds after. In less than a minute, three goals were scored during a stretch of 4-on-4 hockey.

The extended 4-on-4 was the result of Tyler Pitlick being ejected for an illegal check to the head on Jalen Chatfield. Captain Jordan Staal, meanwhile, played his 910th game with Carolina, setting a new franchise record. His milestone was marked by a physical confrontation that earned him a 10-minute misconduct, five minutes for fighting, and two minutes for instigating.

“The first period in one word: WILD.”

Walker Strikes Late in Period

Before the first intermission, Sean Walker added another for Carolina, giving them a 3-2 lead. That advantage proved crucial, allowing the Hurricanes to hold firm through a tighter final frame and secure the 4-3 win.

Player Focus

Matt Boldy opened the scoring for Minnesota.
Jackson Blake’s highlight-reel goal energized the Hurricanes.
Andrei Svechnikov continued to find his rhythm with a key equalizer.
Jordan Staal set a new franchise record for games played.

Author’s Summary: Carolina survived a chaotic, goal-filled opening to outlast Minnesota 4-3, powered by key moments from depth players and their captain’s leadership.

The Hockey Writers — 2025-11-07