Overview
- Taylor Hall produced a goal and an assist, poke-checking the puck off Luke Hughes for the go-ahead marker and later setting up Logan Stankoven for insurance.
- Rookie Brandon Bussi stopped 28 shots to improve to 14-2-1 as Carolina snapped a three-game losing streak.
- Nikolaj Ehlers was credited with the opening goal 51 seconds in when Hughes accidentally swept a rebound into his own net, and a second miscue under pressure put Carolina back in front.
- Home fans repeatedly booed Hughes following the errors, while teammates and coach Sheldon Keefe publicly backed him and emphasized learning from the mistakes.
- New Jersey went 0-for-5 on the power play and struggled against Carolina’s forecheck, with Jake Allen making 26 saves in the loss; next up are Islanders for the Devils and Stars for the Hurricanes on Tuesday.