Cory Lavalette
@corylav.bsky.social
Senior editor for North State Journal but still on the Hurricanes beat | PHWA Carolina chapter head; weekly for The Athletic.
Hurricanes lose 5-3
January 4, 2026 at 2:43 AM
Hurricanes lose 5-3
Refs award MacKinnon an empty netter after he and Gostisbehere battled for the puck.
January 4, 2026 at 2:43 AM
Refs award MacKinnon an empty netter after he and Gostisbehere battled for the puck.
2:47 left. Keep an eye on Andersen
January 4, 2026 at 2:38 AM
2:47 left. Keep an eye on Andersen
Nikishin back on the ice
January 4, 2026 at 2:24 AM
Nikishin back on the ice
Gleason was animated with Nikishin after the second nelson goal, and Ghost just took his shift with Nystrom
January 4, 2026 at 2:24 AM
Gleason was animated with Nikishin after the second nelson goal, and Ghost just took his shift with Nystrom
Nelson again, this time off a feed from MacKinnon.
Avs have turned a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 lead in 7 1/2 minutes
Avs have turned a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 lead in 7 1/2 minutes
January 4, 2026 at 2:21 AM
Nelson again, this time off a feed from MacKinnon.
Avs have turned a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 lead in 7 1/2 minutes
Avs have turned a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 lead in 7 1/2 minutes
That's just a bad, bad call.
January 4, 2026 at 2:17 AM
That's just a bad, bad call.
Toews loses an edge and crashes into the boards, and they call it a trip on Ehlers. The officiating has ... not been great.
January 4, 2026 at 2:17 AM
Toews loses an edge and crashes into the boards, and they call it a trip on Ehlers. The officiating has ... not been great.
Tie game. Bad pass by Nystrom is stolen in the neutral zone and Drury beats Andersen cleanly.
January 4, 2026 at 2:10 AM
Tie game. Bad pass by Nystrom is stolen in the neutral zone and Drury beats Andersen cleanly.
Point shot rattles in and it's 3-2. Nelson with a tip in front.
January 4, 2026 at 2:08 AM
Point shot rattles in and it's 3-2. Nelson with a tip in front.
The penalty parade continues — Svechnikov for tripping
January 4, 2026 at 2:07 AM
The penalty parade continues — Svechnikov for tripping
C siren to close out the night.
Now we see if the Hurricanes can close out the Avs.
Now we see if the Hurricanes can close out the Avs.
January 4, 2026 at 2:04 AM
C siren to close out the night.
Now we see if the Hurricanes can close out the Avs.
Now we see if the Hurricanes can close out the Avs.
The Avs are 2-2-5 this season when trailing after two periods. The Hurricanes are 15-1-1 when leading after two.
January 4, 2026 at 1:49 AM
The Avs are 2-2-5 this season when trailing after two periods. The Hurricanes are 15-1-1 when leading after two.
3-1 Hurricanes after two
January 4, 2026 at 1:47 AM
3-1 Hurricanes after two
More "Freddie!" chants
January 4, 2026 at 1:46 AM
More "Freddie!" chants
Nikishin got blasted by Kelly but still made the play
January 4, 2026 at 1:45 AM
Nikishin got blasted by Kelly but still made the play
The Avs are visibly frustrated
January 4, 2026 at 1:43 AM
The Avs are visibly frustrated
Miller, who has been spectacular tonight, gets a big clear
January 4, 2026 at 1:42 AM
Miller, who has been spectacular tonight, gets a big clear
Another call on Carolina, this one to Blake, who is called for holding Manson's stick while the two were tangled up in the neutral zone. Aho and Brind'Amour are not happy.
January 4, 2026 at 1:41 AM
Another call on Carolina, this one to Blake, who is called for holding Manson's stick while the two were tangled up in the neutral zone. Aho and Brind'Amour are not happy.
Aho not given the same referee respect as MacKinnon, it seems
January 4, 2026 at 1:37 AM
Aho not given the same referee respect as MacKinnon, it seems
Andersen again, this time on MacKinnon
January 4, 2026 at 1:36 AM
Andersen again, this time on MacKinnon
Burns nearly throws the puck in off Wedgewood. Sleeper agent?
January 4, 2026 at 1:32 AM
Burns nearly throws the puck in off Wedgewood. Sleeper agent?
Hurricanes kill it, and Lenovo Center is appreciative
January 4, 2026 at 1:31 AM
Hurricanes kill it, and Lenovo Center is appreciative
MacKinnon is stripped by Staal and Nikishin, leading to a clear, and then smashes his stick against the boards twice, breaking it, before going to the bench.
January 4, 2026 at 1:30 AM
MacKinnon is stripped by Staal and Nikishin, leading to a clear, and then smashes his stick against the boards twice, breaking it, before going to the bench.
That was ... a call, I suppose.
January 4, 2026 at 1:28 AM
That was ... a call, I suppose.