Zach Werenski scored two goals and assisted on two more, while Jet Greaves stopped 38 shots to help the Columbus Blue Jackets secure a 6-3 victory over a weakened version of the playoff-bound Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night.
The Hurricanes, who finished second in the Metropolitan Division, decided to rest eight regular players for the final regular-season game, which had no impact on their playoff position.
Despite resting key players, the Hurricanes finished the season with an impressive record of 52-23-7, securing the second-best spot in the Eastern Conference behind the division-champion New York Rangers. This marks their sixth consecutive playoff appearance.
“Now we shift our focus,” said Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour. “This is what we’ve been working towards all season, and we’re eager to seize this opportunity.”
For the Columbus Blue Jackets, it was a relief to end the season on a positive note after enduring a challenging year marked by injuries to key players, including two goaltenders. The team missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
Luca Del Bel Belluz made a memorable NHL debut by scoring his first goal, joined by goals from James Malatesta, Johnny Gaudreau, and Alex Nylander.
“It’s been a tough season,” Columbus coach Pascal Vincent acknowledged. “Dealing with injuries and the highs and lows has been challenging. While there’s a sense of disappointment, finishing the season this way is a positive for the team.”
Carolina scored through Teuvo Teravainen and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, while Spencer Martin, facing his former team in his first start since February, made 19 saves.
Unfortunately, the Hurricanes faced a setback when Jesper Fast was injured following a hit by Erik Gudbranson, who received a penalty for cross-checking. Brind’Amour didn’t provide details on Fast’s condition.
“It’s always concerning when a player gets injured,” expressed Brind’Amour. “We were hoping to avoid that tonight. We’ll have to see how it unfolds.”
Despite a shaky start, with Del Bel Belluz serving a penalty early in the game, he quickly redeemed himself by scoring his first NHL goal just seconds after leaving the penalty box, showcasing his potential in the league.
