Jordan Staal, Andrei Sveznikov power Hurricanes past Canucks

Jordan Staal scored again and Dustin Tokarski made only 14 saves as the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Vancouver Canucks 2-0 on Friday night in Raleigh, NC.

Andrei Svechnikov also posted a goal for the Hurricanes, who won on back-to-back nights.

Staal’s goal pushed his season total to nine just about 24 hours after his hat trick against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The captain also assisted on Sveznikov’s goal.

The Hurricanes won back-to-back games for the first time since December 15th and 17th.

The Canucks, who were shutout for the third time this season and second time in their last four games, are riding a four-game losing streak. They made their third stop on a five-game road trip.

Goaltender Thatcher Demko, who has missed the last few games with back spasms, was back in net for Vancouver and made 18 saves.

Tokarski, appearing in his fifth game of the season, recorded his third career NHL shutout and his first since March 18, 2022. He has a 4-1-0 record with Carolina.

The Canucks’ 14 shots on goal were a season low. They scored five goals in the first period, four in the second and five in the third.

Vancouver went 0-for-3 on power plays, including two extra-man stretches in the third period.

Staal’s goal came with 5:19 to play in the first period. He has five goals in the last three games.

Svechnikov scored 1:37 into the second period, controlling the puck behind the net and then making a powerful move from the corner to beat a shot in traffic. He followed a nine game scoreless streak by scoring twice in a span of three games.

Center Elias Petterson was back in the Canucks’ lineup after a six-game absence, but that didn’t translate to enough offense. He wasn’t awarded a shot on goal in nearly 20 1/2 minutes of ice time.

The Hurricanes have won six of their last seven home games.

–Within field level