Statline: 1g, 1a, 6 SOG, 1 hit, 15:32 TOI
Advanced Numbers: 22CF, 6CA, 78.57 CF%, 86.08 xGF%
How good that goal must have felt.
After 262 days since scoring his last, Andrei Svechnikov finally found the back of the net (legally) since undergoing knee surgery to repair a torn ACL back in March.
And it wasn't just any goal. It was the game-winning goal coming with under two minutes to play in regulation to cap off a three-goal comeback by the Canes.
"Obviously it was kind of a relief, but I actually wasn't thinking at all about how I hadn't scored for 10 games or whatever," Svechnikov said. "I knew it was going to come. Just about timing, and obviously it was the right timing and right moment."
Svechnikov wasn't just a passenger on his goal either, he made it happen. He knocked the puck off of Columbus defenseman Erik Gudbranson's stick in the neutral zone to initiate the rush chance and got going the other way with Sebastian Aho.
"Big goal," said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour. "We've all been asked about it and we were feeling for him because he's such... you just love the guy. He's a big part of our group and we need him to be doing that. That's exactly what he needs to do for us. Game's on the line and he buried it. He had a few other chances tonight too, just hopefully this gets him going."
Even before the goal, it was a big game for Svechnikov.
The Russian winger was a dominant force on the ice and had picked up 11 shot attempts over the course of the game, six of which were on goal.
Svechnikov also had the primary assist on Brady Skjei's equalizing goal, extending his assist streak to four straight games.
"[Svechnikov] is such a force and a star in this league and a star for us," Skjei said. "We know we can count on him night in and night out. Even if he's not scoring, he's bringing something to the table whether it's physicality or just the way he plays the game. He's huge for this team and everyone knows that."
While the first goal of the season is a big stepping stone for Svech, he knows there's still more to come.
"It's going to give me some confidence, but I still feel... I know how I can play and I'm not there yet, but I know it's going to happen soon."