The Carolina Hurricanes scored nine goals for the fourth time in franchise history on Saturday, routing the Chicago Blackhawks 9-2 in a 12-game NHL night that also saw Sidney Crosby climb to sixth on the all-time points list.
Sebastian Aho scored once and added two assists, Andrei Svechnikov and Jordan Martinook scored twice each, and eight Hurricanes recorded at least two points, according to Flashscore and Kalshi. Pyotr Kochetkov improved to 11-1-0 with a 1.67 goals-against average — the 11th goalie in NHL history to win 11 of his first 12 appearances.
It was Carolina’s second nine-goal game of the calendar year, after a 9-1 win over Florida on January 16. The Hurricanes improve to 14-3-2, while Chicago fall to 4-13-2 after a sixth straight defeat.
Crosby’s milestone night
In Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby scored twice in the Penguins’ 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings, taking his career points total to 1,773 and moving him to sixth on the NHL’s all-time points list.
Crosby’s two goals — points No. 1,772 and 1,773 — were the headline act of a win in which Tommy Novak also scored twice in the first six minutes. The Penguins improve to 6-9-2, while the Kings fall to 5-8-2.
It was another milestone in a career full of them for Crosby, who continues to produce at an elite level deep into his career.
Blackhawks’ misery continues
Chicago’s defeat was their sixth in a row, and the 9-2 scoreline underlined the gap between the sides. Connor Bedard scored once and added an assist for his fifth goal of the season, but the Blackhawks could not contain a Hurricanes attack that scored from everywhere.
Carolina’s depth was the story: eight players with two or more points, goals from all four lines, and a goalie in Kochetkov who is playing the best hockey of his career.
What comes next
Carolina, at 14-3-2, look like one of the best teams in the league, and their attacking depth makes them a nightmare to play against. Chicago, at 4-13-2, need to find answers quickly — and Pittsburgh will be celebrating Crosby’s latest climb up the history books.
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