The Canes snatched a regulation win in a 6-4 victory over Philly.
The Carolina Hurricanes weren't at their best last night, but that didn't matter because the offense was there to carry them to a 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Martin Necas scored the go-ahead goal with 31 second remaining in the third period to cap off yet another multi-point game.
Also scoring for Carolina was Jackson Blake, Eric Robinson, Jordan Martinook, Jack Roslovic and Seth Jarvis.
After the game, Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour along with Necas, Drury and Roslovic spoke with the media. Here's what they had to say:
Rod Brind'Amour
On the game: I don't think we were sharp. That was probably the first game this year where I didn't like the way the first period went. You could just tell that we were a little off. It never really got feeling good, but in the second and third periods, I know we didn't give up a ton, but it just never quite felt right. But a couple of guys drug us into the fight. I give Martinook a lot of credit. His game was dialed in and then obviously [Necas]. He kind of took over there at the end. Sometimes you have to win that way.
On the balance throughout the lines: Good teams, you can roll everyone out there. You're going to see little differences in skill levels and different things, but the theory behind it should be the same. I think we were lacking a little bit of that tonight. I didn't really see that consistency out of the four lines, but like I said, you're not gong to be like that every night. It's hard in this league to roll over like that every night and look good. Give the other team credit. Philly played hard and they did some things well and kind of made us look like that.
On his top line: They didn't have their best tonight, that's for sure. That was a big goal at the time but then they got it right back. It was a weird game that way. But I think the 4-on-4 really was good. You could feel it because we were all over it and again it was mostly [Necas] having a lot to do with that and then the next time out, they scored the goal. That line was good tonight for us and we needed that.
On getting to the front of the net: You have to know what the opponent is doing and how they defend. That has a lot to do with it. They hunker in really well and block a lot of opportunities so there's not a lot of room. So you have to keep fighting for those seconds and thirds that come out and basically what happened on a couple of our goals. One was a nice one. Blake's goal was a nice pass out and then we got one off the rush, right? But other than that, they make you earn your goals.
On turning the page: Listen, we won the game and I think we gave up six shots after the first period. You would say, 'Wow, that's pretty good,' but I just didn't like the way we were going about it. Again, it's not a lack of effort. We were working really hard, we just weren't quite on the same page and from a coaching standpoint, I like to see that better. But at the end of the day, we got it done.
Martin Necas
On the end of the game: Oh my god. I think the last two or three shifts, I made about 50 cutbacks. We had some good zone time and actually, last time I passed it up to Orly, I looked up at the jumbotron, at the clock, and I saw 34 seconds left so I was like, 'Oh boy. Now we're going to have to play overtime.' I was gassed, but luckily it went in. Good teams find a way to win. Just like Roddy said after the game. That's what we did today.
On his hot start: Obviously it feels better than I what I've been used to, but I've always been confident in myself. I have a great team and great linemates . Kind of figured out the way how we play, built some chemistry and it's been great. Same with the power play. It's always fun to play this way.
On the team sticking with it: Good teams find ways to win and today wasn't our best, but we stuck with it and made some huge plays and got the 'W.'
Jack Drury
On setting up Jackson Blake for the score: Before I went into the corner, I kind of saw him out of the corner of my eye and just kind of felt the pressure. So it was a good read by Blaker to go there.
On if he feels he's building chemistry with Blake: I think [chemistry] is definitely a part of it. Knowing where each other are. It's good to build that and then just repetition. I think we've put in a lot of work this year so it's good to see it pay off.
On the team finding a way to win: I think we definitely didn't play our best, but a couple of guys stepped up in big moments. That play on the penalty kill by Martinook to draw the penalty was huge and then obviously Necas has just been unbelievable. It was a huge goal by him late.
On Blake: He's a heck of a player. I think he's played with confidence since he's got here and that's what you want to see. He's eager to learn and he's executing when he's on the ice. It's good to see him finishing and getting what he deserves.
On the winning streak: I think we're just day-to-day right now. The coaching staff does a really good job of making sure we're focused on one game at a time and one day at a time getting a little bit better. Obviously a good win, but tomorrow we're gonna refocus and get ready for the next game.
Jack Roslovic
On his goal scoring streak: It's not normal, but I've been trying to emphasize shooting so just trying to find the net and help the team.
On meshing with Carolina's systems: As the team goes, that idea of speed... tonight's not a great judgement. We were fighting it a little bit, but you're going to have those games. It's important that we got the win. Whenever we can do that, that's the goal in this league. It was a great effort from everybody.
On finding a way to win: It's the most important stat there is. So to keep on racking up those wins, especially at home, is a great boost.
On the team's forward line balance: It's 11 games in and I've seen it through camp. People ask me how it's going and I keep on telling guys and raving about that when we're going, it's all four lines doing identical things. You really can't pick out the first line from the fourth line. So it's impressive to see the balance, especially up front. I mean the backend too, they do their job every night as well. The depth and the continuity of the team speaks to our record.
On turning the page: We've had learning lessons after every game, win or lose. So I think that's the beauty of it. Taking the good, keep on building on it and learn from the bad and try to get better.
On Martin Necas' go-ahead goal: Unreal. He's... no words. No words. Unreal.