A major trade on Friday night brought Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall to the Carolina Hurricanes as part of a three-team deal involving the Chicago Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche.
The Hurricanes secured Rantanen, a Hall of Fame-caliber player still at the height of his career, while also adding Hall, a former Hart Trophy recipient and first-overall draft pick, to strengthen their depth.
Hurricanes’ New Additions
Hall’s season with the struggling Blackhawks came to an end as he joined Carolina, but his debut wasn’t without its frustrations.
Early in the game, the Hurricanes jumped to a 2-0 lead just 6:30 into the first period against the New York Islanders, seemingly on their way to an easy victory.
However, the Islanders scored late in the first, tying the game at 6:26 of the third period and eventually completing the comeback in overtime.
Although Hall didn’t contribute a goal or assist, he remained active with three shots and one hit during his 11:36 on the ice. The experience may have felt reminiscent of his time in Chicago, where blown leads were all too common.
Carolina’s disappointing start with its new additions came as a surprise, given their impressive 30-16-4 record, one of the best in the Eastern Conference.
Despite the initial stumble, there’s optimism that the Hurricanes will quickly adjust and maximize their new lineup’s potential.
Avalanche’s Thrilling Victory
Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche triumphed over the New York Rangers 5-4 on Sunday, with Artturi Lehkonen delivering the game-winning goal with just 14.7 seconds remaining.
Mackenzie Blackwood’s 33 saves, along with two goals from Cale Makar, played a pivotal role in securing the win.
Makar, who also assisted on the winning goal, continues to dominate as the NHL’s leading defenseman in points with 56.
The Rangers staged a comeback after trailing 4-2 late in the second period. Will Borgen scored at 18:05, followed by Artemi Panarin’s 21st goal of the season to tie the game midway through the third.
However, Lehkonen capitalized on a crisp passing sequence with Makar to seal the Avalanche’s victory.
Jack Drury opened the scoring for Colorado, netting his fourth goal of the season and first since joining the team. Makar followed up just 43 seconds later, extending the lead to 2-0.
Although the Rangers responded with goals from Sam Carrick and Vincent Trocheck, Makar’s second goal and Juuso Parssinen’s tally helped maintain Colorado’s advantage.
The Avalanche, adjusting to their roster changes after trading Mikko Rantanen to the Hurricanes, ended a recent losing streak with this hard-fought victory.
Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin made 16 saves, while Carrick and Trocheck’s efforts kept their team competitive until the final moments.
Despite the loss, the Rangers had been unbeaten in regulation since early January, showcasing their resilience throughout the season.
